Formal English should be used at the workplace and school, with people you don’t know very well and in any other situation where you want to appear professional and polite.
There are some English words that you might use all the time, without realizing there are more formal alternatives.
In this post, I’ll show you how to easily speak formal English like a native speaker by simply making some adjustments to your vocabulary.
- What Formal English Can Do for You
- 5 Rules of Formal English (With Lots of Words You Can Use Right Away)
What Formal English Can Do for You
Mastering formal English will take you a long way in life. Here are some of the numerous benefits it’ll bring you.
- Create wonderful first impressions: Whether it’s an interview, a first day at a new job or meeting your in-laws, formal language skills will surely impress the English-speakers you meet.
- Become more confident, diplomatic and persuasive: When you know how to speak politely but firmly, you’ll become more comfortable with yourself as an English speaker and will fit in naturally in many situations.
- Make valuable connections in networking events: Formal English makes it easier for you to approach other people and communicate clearly in professional settings.
- Automatically improve your writing skills: Work emails, cover letters, reports or essays all require formal English skills. If you master formal English your writing skills will automatically be better and more versatile. This is a crucial skill for an advanced learner of English.
- Deliver better talks and presentations: You won’t ever be nervous before a conference and people will actually be interested in hearing what you have to say!
5 Rules of Formal English (With Lots of Words You Can Use Right Away)
Formal English isn’t a new language or very different from the English you’re familiar with. It’s just more “official” and grammatically precise.
In fact, much of formal English relies on simply substituting a common, colloquial word for a more formal one.
Knowing the right words for the right situation is a skill that every confident speaker has mastered. You can do the same by gradually expanding your formal vocabulary.
Below, we’ll show you some formal alternatives to common informal words you may already use regularly. Then we’ll show you formal alternatives to other types of English words in both spoken and written English.
To truly master the difference between informal and formal English, practice with real English videos on FluentU.
FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.
For example, compare the casual English in this joke song to the structured, polite language in this news report about (very!) young entrepreneurs.
Better yet, you never have to worry about missing a word. Every FluentU video comes with interactive captions, flashcards, fun quizzes, vocabulary lists and more so you actively improve your English while you watch. Take this immersive practice anywhere on the iOS or Android apps.
1. Remember These Formal Alternatives to Common Informal Words
These are just some of the most common formal/informal word pairings you can consider. For a longer list, you can check out the helpful charts on engVid as well as this free PDF guide that even comes with some practice exercises.
Instead of find out, use ascertain.
We need to ascertain who to speak with about this issue.
Instead of sorry, use I apologize.
I apologize for the technical errors.
Instead of show, use demonstrate.
This report demonstrates the importance of widening our audience.
Instead of I think, use In my opinion.
In my opinion, the best course of action is…
Instead of pricey or costly, use expensive.
That shipping service may be too expensive for our budget.
Instead of let, use permit or allow.
Would you allow me to sit at this table?
2. Swap Formal for Informal Plurals
Avoid casual words like tons, loads or heaps.
Instead, you can use many, much or several.
Informal: “I have tons of books on this topic at home.”
Formal: “I have several books on this topic at home.”
3. Use “Could” and “May” Instead of Informal Modals
Modal verbs are a type of “helping verb” that often express permission, necessity or possibility.
For example, in the sentence “Tim can direct the project,” can is the modal verb indicating that Tim has permission to direct the project. In English, some modal verbs are considered more formal or polite than others. Some common examples are below.
Instead of can, use could. This is especially important when asking questions.
We could make a reservation for your clients at the bistro.
Could I use your restroom, please?
Instead of might, use may.
I may schedule the meeting for Friday, depending on her schedule.
May is another formal alternative for can in questions or when expressing permission.
May I use your restroom, please?
You may leave work early.
4. Avoid Abbreviations and Short Forms
Short forms and abbreviations are usually spelled out fully in formal written English.
For instance, we say cell phone or mobile phone instead of cell, examination instead of exam, television instead of telly or TV and photograph instead of pic.
Could you please repeat your cell phone number?
The date of the examination is March 23.
This photograph needs more editing before it is published.
Spell out common abbreviations like as soon as possible instead of simply typing ASAP and congratulations instead of congrats.
Could you send me the report as soon as possible? Thanks!
Congratulations on your new job, Tom! I am extremely proud of how far you have come.
Similarly, be sure to avoid text-speak or internet slang in formal contexts, even in emails.
So if someone says or writes something funny, make sure you don’t reply with “lol :)” or “lmao” or “omg!”
Instead, you can respond with “That is hilarious!” or something similar.
5. Write with Formal Greetings and Farewells
Just like how you call others by their titles in a formal setting, you also use such titles when it comes to written correspondences.
In emails, letters, memos and other forms of official correspondence, you also need to make sure you’re addressing the recipient politely.
Begin with a formal greeting. Use Dear [name/title] as opposed to hey, hi, etc.
Keep it formal and simple by signing off with Sincerely. Avoid more informal sign-offs like cheers or best.
Formal English is bound by a few simple rules, so learning it shouldn’t pose a problem. In fact, once you’re used to formal English, switching back and forth between formal and informal language becomes easy. Developing a formal vocabulary will take some time, but it will be a rewarding and enriching exercise. Learn and use a few words each day! And if you supplement your learning with real-world conversations with friends and colleagues, you’re all set to become a fluent and confident speaker of the English language.
Archita Mittra is a freelance writer, journalist, editor and educator. Feel free to check out her blog or contact her for freelancing/educational inquiries.