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Formal or informal in IELTS Writing?


  • Formal or informal ?


In your IELTs writing, if you are appearing for academic module both the tasks( graph and essay) should be written in formal language, but for general module student task 2 (essay) should be in formal and task 1 (letter) can be in formal or informal.

Task 1 for GT module is a letter, and if the topic asks you to write to someone you know,and to someone who is very close relative or friend you can use informal language for that letter and that is an informal letter – as opposed to writing to someone you don’t know, ( like any authority, or boss or any one whom you do not know closely) is formal.


The difference between formal and informal styles is mainly in the vocabulary. Informal words are the ones used in everyday conversations, slang, phrasal verbs etc  and formal are used in books, contracts, business letters and essays.  If the task requires formal writing – avoid using informal vocabulary. If the task requires informal writing, such as a letter to a friend, avoid using formal words.


Use of informal when it is required to use formal seems quite rude or impolite, whereas use of too much formal in place of informal seems quite silly and foolish. So take care well.




Formal
Informal

Formal
Informal

Formal
Informal
appear
seem

finally
in the end

amiable
friendly
ascend
climb

immediately
at once

complete
whole
assist
help

initially
at first

energetic
lively
cease
stop

intermittently
on and off

fortunate
lucky
commence
begin

principally
mainly

immature
childish
consume
use

repeatedly
Again & again

incorrect
wrong
decrease
shorten

subsequently
next

inferior
worse
demonstrate
show

therefore
so

inexpensive
cheap
depart
go

comprehension
understanding

indistinct
dim
desire
want

deficiency
lack

insane
mad
enquire
ask

opportunity
chance

relaxed
laid back
finish
end

perspiration
sweat

responsible
in charge
inform
tell

residence
house

sufficient
enough
obtain
get

vision
sight

superior
better
preserve
keep

And
&

transparent
clear
reject
say no

Can not
Can’t

vacant
empty
release
free

Is not
Isn’t



repair
mend

Hello
 Hi



require
need

Gratitude
 Thanks



reside
live






retain
keep






Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2013 at 11:01 PM

    Thanks for sharing this nice post. Every test taker should follow the IELTS Essay Writing tips for better result in IELTS.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2013 at 2:20 PM

    www.facebook.com/QuickEnglish

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownDecember 1, 2017 at 9:03 AM

    Helpful post.

    ReplyDelete

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