Let’s tackle casual and formal language, but the words “casual” and “formal” can also describe other
things like clothing, an outing or event, a friendship or relationship, a meeting, etc.
For example, casual dress might be jeans, a tee-shirt, and sandals as opposed to formal attire of a button-down
shirt, tie, and pants for a male or a skirt and blouse/dress with closed toe shoes (for a female). An informal outing
or event could be a parade, picnic, hike or bike ride, whereas a formal one would be a wedding in a
church/synagogue/mosque, an anniversary party at a 5-star restaurant, or a ballet/opera at a fancy performance
center.
A casual friendship or relationship is characterized by someone you have known for a long time, maybe someone
from school, the neighborhood or a close relative as opposed to a formal relationship which might be a superior in
your business, a member of a prestigious club, or a distant relative or acquaintance. A casual meeting might be
just to offer ideas or to build cohesion or unity. It may take place in a casual setting, too, like an outdoor café,
park or sporting event. A formal meeting might be to discuss something really important like the direction of the
company or the unveiling of a new product, classes you need to complete a major or degree, or a talk with the
doctor about an illness. It may take place in a boardroom, manager’s office, large auditorium, or another formal
location.
You probably use different words, phrases, and ways of speaking in your native language when you are with your
friends, family, other relatives, and people who are similar to you in age and personality (that’s casual or informal
language). However, you have another set of words and expressions when you are in other situations like at work,
when speaking with those people you may not know as well, or when you speak to those in authoritative positions
(that’s formal language). Well, the same is true when you speak English.
You need to know casual English because you want to be able to understand and communicate with English
speakers in everyday situations. Likewise, you need to know formal English because you want to be able to read
a book, give a business presentation, or write an official letter.
Casual (Informal) Language
Casual language is used a lot around those you know well. It is a carefree way of speaking and one in which those
who know you can easily understand or relate to. There are many slang expressions used in everyday
conversations and these phrases change over time. With the explosion into the technological era leading to more
frequent conversations, more and more slang words are added each day to the English language. It is also
appropriate to use casual language when writing blogs, tweets, and advertisements. You may use casual language
when you want to get to know someone on a more personal level or you want the person to feel at ease.
Formal Language
Formal language eloquently combines appropriate grammar and phrases to provide credibility for what is being
said. For example, more formal language is routinely used in a professional setting (on a business trip or at a
meeting), at certain places in a city (a church/synagogue/mosque, bank, library, high-end department store,
government building), and in specific situations (job interview, dinner party, prestigious ceremony, or when
speaking respectfully to a superior). You also use formal language in academic papers and official documents and
speeches, books, news reports, articles and business letters. You may tend to use more formal language if you
want to stress a point or convey authority or when you need to be strict.
Suggested Tips – When to Say What?
In doubt of which words to use? Here are some tips that can help you. If you listen and observe others in
conversation, you will be able to tell what type of communication matches the situation. Or you can see how a
person speaks to you; if he/she chooses to use more casual English, then it is appropriate for you to do so in
return. You can also think of patterns. If you have spoken a certain way before under similar conditions or heard
someone else speak in this situation, then it is most likely that you can talk this way here, too.
Casual or Formal Settings – What to Say When?
Just as casual English would be inappropriate in more formal settings, formal English would sound out of place to
your friends or acquaintances that your friends introduce you to. For example, take a simple greeting. In a more
formal greeting it is appropriate for you to say, “How do you do?” and “Nice to meet you” and to address the
people you are meeting with the correct title of Mr./Mrs./Ms., Dr., Rev., etc. With those you know well, you
probably say “Hi”, “Hey, What’s up?” or “How’s it going?”
When you are eating, it is important to remember your manners, especially during a business luncheon or meeting.
You should politely ask for items to be passed to you like, “Could you please pass the coffee?” If you are eating
with friends, you can be more relaxed with your manners and eating habits. “Hey, pass the coffee.” But, you
would never say, “I’m starving” or, “I got a bad case of the munchies” in a formal situation, but with friends these
are common phrases when you are hungry. You also would never say, “I don’t like (the food item’s) taste” in a
formal setting, but with your friends it is acceptable to tell the awful truth about how bad the food tastes.
Let’s pretend you are in a dinner party and you need to leave for an urgent phone call. If you were eating with
your future mother-in-law, you might say, “Would you please excuse me for a moment?” or “Excuse me”.
However, with friends, you might say, “One sec” or “I’ll be back.” So, you leave the table and answer your phone
call; if it’s your customer or boss, you could begin with, “Good Evening, how are you doing tonight?” But if it
were your close friend you might say, “What’s good with you, my brother from another mother!”
Using Casual and Formal English
Maybe you have heard some of these more popular US casual English words/phrases:
Casual – Formal
Cuz – Because
Chill/chillin’- Relax/relaxing
Gonna – Going to
Sick – Great; amazing
Lame – Not good; worthless
Shoot me an email – Send me an email
Kickback – Move slowly; rest; relax
Fam – Family
Hold on – Wait
Gotta – Have to/need to
I’m outta here – I need to leave now
Guy/guys – You all; all of you; you
Besties – Best friends
Sucks – Terrible or awful
Bring it on – I’m ready for it
My bad – (Admitting guilt over something)
Yea/Yeah – Yes
Nah/Naw – No
I dunno – I don’t know
Whatever – I really don’t know/You can decide/I don’t have a preference
These casual words are widely used with people you know and are more comfortable being with. However, in
formal situations, the words should be avoided and the more formal word/phrase substituted.
How to Practice Casual Language
Now, let’s see where you can practice casual language. You can…
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ride on a bus, train or airplane and greet the driver/pilot and speak to those sitting near you
talk to your fellow students in a class or to your co-workers at work
listen to television shows/movies/musical lyrics and write down certain words/phrases and when/how they are
used to insert in your daily speech
converse with people when you run errands at the bank, store and post office or in and around your neighborhood
engage in chat rooms not associated with your classes or job
practice on the telephone with your friends or exchange emails, text messages and letters
read blogs to see the word choice from many different writers
observe others in casual settings (children at a park, families at a restaurant, a group of friends out)
Importance of Casual Language
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gives audience a sense of closeness and genuineness
shows your personality
makes others feel comfortable
saves time
How to Practice Formal Language
Now, let’s look at formal English. You can…
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listen to the news or government debates
read academic papers, essays, discussion responses, journals or other nonfiction texts on topics of interest
review updated magazines and newspapers dealing with current events
scan professional writings
role play formal situations and what you would say
practice speaking with someone else in a dialogue situation reflective of a formal situation or with a person of
authority
watch some videos on how to interview or how to conduct a meeting
attend a city council meeting or open court hearing
Importance of Formal English
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shows you are professional in verbal and written responses
supports the seriousness or importance of the situation
meets requirements in academic and work settings
clearly defines for the reader
email messages to instructors, other faculty and staff members; email company employees and management
apply for internships, grants, volunteer work, and jobs
observe others in formal situations (business meetings or luncheons, talking to people in authority or at a more
structured time and place)
Other Differences
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Casual English is used in situations where speech is improvised and not prepared ahead of time or when the writer
is writing quickly without editing (e.g., Internet chat rooms or personal emails).
Formal English is characterized by longer, more complicated sentences, whereas casual English has simpler,
shorter words and sentences.
Formal English follows the standards of English grammar; casual English may not adhere as closely to these rules.
Formal English relies on choice and accuracy of words; casual English may use what is called “delaying
expressions” like Well, I think it is a good idea, you know? and other expressions for “correctness” like Mr. Smith
is not well. I mean, not that he is sick, just that he is very tired or “qualifying expressions” such as Your cake
recipe is kind of like my mom’s recipe.
Formal English does not use the “everyday phrases” you would use when talking to a good friend. Examples
include Here you go (when giving something to someone); Come again (asking someone to repeat something);
What do you mean? (wondering what was said and needing a further explanation).
Formal English uses some vocabulary that you would not say in more casual situations. Words like anew,
daunting, nevertheless, disclose, constitute, as it happens, etc. Similarly there is vocabulary used only in casual
situations (in addition to the words listed earlier in this article) like dude (a person); freaking out (getting scared;
wondering what was happening); uh-huh (yes); nope (no); puke (throw up); john (bathroom); stuff (things); to
tick someone off (to upset someone), like crazy (a lot or excessively; usually with a verb). In addition, casual
language uses words/phrases that are shortened like I’m doin’ it my way (doing); Lemme go! (let me go);
Whatcha gonna do? (What are you going to do?); Whassup? (What’s up?); I kinda wanna go to the movies
(kind of want to).
Your Turn to Practice Informal – Formal English
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Greetings
Informal: Hi, How are ya?, How’s it going?, How ya doin’? Formal: Hello, Good Morning, Good Afternoon,
Good Evening, Nice to meet you, (title)
Informal (response): Not much, Not bad, How’s everything with you?, Can’t complain, How ‘bout you? Formal
(response): How are you doing?, I hope everything is fine with you.
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Making Suggestions/Giving Advice
Informal: You know what ya need to do? You gotta… Formal: Would you please allow me to make a
suggestion? I think it might be best to…
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To Show Approval or Excitement
Informal: Cool! Sweet! Awesome! Oh, my god that’s great! Formal: That is wonderful news! That is terrific to
hear! That really is quite impressive.
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To Say Good-bye
Informal: Bye!, See ya!, Catch ya’ later!, See you, guys!, I’m outta here!, Later y’all!, Take care now! Formal:
Good-bye, Mr./Mrs./Dr./Rev. (last name and add something to show respect, appreciation or importance to the
situation) like Good-bye, Dr. Taleon. Thank you for taking the time to talk with my mother and for being so
helpful to us.
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To Say Good Night
Informal: G’night!, Sleep tight! Formal: Good night, Mr./Mrs./Dr./Rev. (last name)
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