Register: Formal vs Informal Grammar

Adapt grammar to context.

Examples

• I regret to inform you vs Sorry, but...

Key rules

• Formal: passive, no contractions, longer words, whom, nominalisation
• Informal: contractions, phrasal verbs, ellipsis, tags
• Do not mix registers
• Pick a register for the reader

Common mistakes

• We gonna discuss the matter (in a report) → We will discuss the matter
• Kindly get back to us ASAP, mate → Please reply as soon as possible