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IELTS exam: Difference Between Formal And Informal English


IELTS exam assesses English language skills that include both formal and informal English. Most of the professors teaching in the top universities and colleges worldwide use informal English in their classes. The major difference between formal and informal English is the tone and message you want to deliver. It also depends with whom you are communicating and through which medium you are doing it. If you are confused about what kind of English you should use in the IELTS exam, then this blog is for you. 

Formal language is less personal than informal language that is used more in an academic and professional setting. Formal language does not use colloquialisms or contractions or even first-person pronouns such as ‘I’. Whereas, informal language, it is more casual and more spontaneous. It is used when communicating, or writing to friends or family.

IELTS exam: Difference Between Formal And Informal English


Am I speaking way too formal in the IELTS exam?

Speaking way too much formal English in the IELTS exam can cut down all the points. Always keep a check on the use of discourse markers. A discourse marker can be any term that will help you organize our English language. Some of these words are whereas, on the one hand, actually, nevertheless, and even though. It is strictly advisable not to overuse them.

Am I writing in formal or informal English in the IELTS exam?

Students are scared of the writing module in the IELTS exam. After all, the writing module assesses all your grammar, sentence formation, spelling, and vocabulary skills. If you are perfect in all the mentioned areas, then you will be able to ace the writing module.
Always make sure you do not use any kind of slang language. Your writing should be well organized, with proper structures, and correct use of discourse markers. There are some basic guidelines that you can follow:

 Contractions:

Contraction is a word when two words were made shorter by using an apostrophe and certain letters are omitted. Formal English does not use a contraction, while informal English does.

Formal
Informal
You are
You’re
Can not
Can’t
Does not
Doesn’t
Do not
Don’t
Would not
Wouldn’t

Precise language:

The precise language uses exact and specific words. Formal English uses accurate and textbook language. It is used to give a clear and crisp idea. While informal English is more relaxed and more paraphrased.

Informal
Formal
The guys from the big country next to the USA
The Canadian citizens

Gender-neutral:

Formal English is more gender-neutral. It means the language is more accurate and catches both genders in one word.

Informal
Formal
The Policemen
The Police officers
Businessmen
Business people
One guy helps his neighbor during tough times
One neighbor helps another during tough times.

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