---
title: "Formal and Informal English"
description: "Recognise and compare formal and informal uses of English, understanding that language choices vary based on audience, purpose and context"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/formal-and-informal-english-mt_86DyHo9zO3
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/formal-and-informal-english-mt_86DyHo9zO3.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Formal and Informal English

Recognise and compare formal and informal uses of English, understanding that language choices vary based on audience, purpose and context

Subject: English · Area: Vocabulary · Ages 7 to 10
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/formal-and-informal-english-mt_86DyHo9zO3

## Ready when they can

- Identify whether a spoken or written example uses formal or informal language (e.g., 'Dear Sir' vs 'Hey mate')
- Rewrite an informal sentence in a more formal way (e.g., change 'Can I have some?' to 'May I please have some?')
- Explain why formal language might be used in one situation and informal in another (e.g., a letter to the headteacher vs a note to a friend)

## Lesson: Formal and Informal English

English changes depending on who you are talking to. With close friends and family, you often use relaxed, informal words. With people you don't know well, like a teacher or a stranger, you often use careful, formal words.

**Example.** Asking for something can sound very different. To a friend, you might say, 'Can I have some?' To a headteacher, you might say, 'May I please have some?' Both ask the same thing, but the words change.

**Example.** Starting a message changes too. A note to a friend might begin, 'Hey mate!' A letter to your headteacher might begin, 'Dear Sir or Madam.' The friend note is informal. The letter is formal.

*(drawing: Greetings slide from relaxed to formal. 'Yo' suits a close friend; 'Dear Sir or Madam' suits someone you don't know. Pick the one that fits.)*

**Tip.** Before you speak or write, think about who is listening. Do you know them well? Is this a serious moment, like school or a letter? If yes, choose formal words. If you're chatting with a friend, informal words are fine.

**Recap.** Formal words suit people you don't know well or serious writing; informal words suit close friends and casual chat.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Describing Aloud](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/describing-aloud-mt_4A7FYmvVhA)
- [Using New Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/using-new-vocabulary-mt_NP101Zl-4g)

## Opens up

- [Dialects & Registers](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/dialects-and-registers-mt_1ro8W1cZYn)
- [Choosing Formal Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-formal-vocabulary-mt_h3vmvQW5Wa)
- [Vivid Word Choices](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/vivid-word-choices-mt_LMX-nZETLM)
- [Choosing Form and Tone for Your Audience](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/choosing-form-and-tone-for-your-audience-mt_v5DyOEpbbr)