Formal and informal words are used in different situations when speaking or writing in English. Formal words are used in polite, serious, or professional settings, while informal words are used in casual or friendly conversations. In this blog post, you will learn the difference between formal and informal words with 250 easy examples to help you speak and write properly in any situation.
To read more words in English, visit our English Vocabulary category.
What Are Formal and Informal Words?
Formal Words
These are used in serious, professional, or polite situations.
Used in: business, school, interviews, and official letters.
Example:
- Formal: Request
- Informal: Ask
Informal Words
These are used in casual, friendly, or relaxed conversations.
Used in: text messages, chats with friends, and everyday speech.
Example:
- Informal: Gonna (going to)
- Formal: Will
Quick Tip to Remember
If you’re writing an email to your boss or teacher, use formal words.
If you’re talking to your best friend, use informal words.
Formal vs Informal Sentences
| Formal Sentence | Informal Sentence |
|---|---|
| I would like to request a meeting. | Can I ask for a meeting? |
| He will purchase a new car. | He’ll buy a new car. |
| Please inform me of any changes. | Just tell me if something changes. |
| I want to apologize for being late. | I’m sorry I’m late. |
| They will assist you with the form. | They’ll help you with the form. |
| We will commence the program at 5 PM. | We’ll start the program at 5 PM. |
| She will conclude her speech now. | She’ll end her talk now. |
| I need to depart by 8. | I have to leave at 8. |
| He wants to discover the truth. | He wants to find out the truth. |
| I will examine your report. | I’ll check your report. |
| The boy fabricated the story. | The boy made up the story. |
| You must obtain permission. | You need to get permission. |
| They did not permit us to enter. | They didn’t let us in. |
| I require your help. | I need your help. |
| Please utilize this tool. | Please use this tool. |
| We need to verify the details. | We need to check the details. |
| They will postpone the event. | They’ll put off the event. |
| She resides in Lahore. | She lives in Lahore. |
| He did not respond to the email. | He didn’t reply to the email. |
| I cannot tolerate this behavior. | I can’t put up with this. |
| Please communicate with the manager. | Please talk to the manager. |
| They decided to terminate his job. | They fired him. |
| We will conduct a survey. | We’ll carry out a survey. |
| She appreciated his efforts. | She was thankful for his help. |
| I will await your reply. | I’ll wait for your reply. |
| Let me demonstrate how it works. | Let me show you how it works. |
| I will select a book. | I’ll pick a book. |
| He looked exhausted. | He looked tired. |
| We had a conversation about work. | We chatted about work. |
| This is sufficient for now. | This is enough for now. |
250+ Formal and Informal Words List
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Request | Ask |
| Purchase | Buy |
| Inform | Tell |
| Apologize | Say sorry |
| Assist | Help |
| Commence | Start |
| Conclude | End |
| Depart | Leave |
| Discover | Find out |
| Examine | Check |
| Fabricate | Make up |
| Obtain | Get |
| Permit | Let |
| Require | Need |
| Utilize | Use |
| Verify | Check |
| Postpone | Put off |
| Reside | Live |
| Respond | Reply |
| Tolerate | Put up with |
| Communicate | Talk |
| Terminate | Fire |
| Conduct | Carry out |
| Appreciate | Be thankful |
| Await | Wait |
| Demonstrate | Show |
| Select | Pick |
| Exhausted | Tired |
| Conversation | Chat |
| Sufficient | Enough |
Examples of Formal and Informal English
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Insufficient | Not enough |
| Commence | Kick off |
| Contribute | Chip in |
| Numerous | A lot of |
| Cease | Stop |
| Endeavor | Try |
| Indicate | Show |
| Comprehend | Understand |
| Ascertain | Find out |
| Inquire | Ask |
| Respond | Answer back |
| Participate | Join in |
| Conduct oneself | Behave |
| Alleviate | Ease |
| Commence | Get started |
| Regret | Be sorry |
| Appear | Show up |
| Depart | Head out |
| Difficult | Tough |
| Request permission | Ask if okay |
| Collaborate | Work together |
| Assist | Lend a hand |
| Accelerate | Speed up |
| Decelerate | Slow down |
| Eliminate | Get rid of |
| Enquire | Ask |
| Hesitate | Wait a moment |
| Retrieve | Get back |
| Transport | Move |
Formal vs Informal Words
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Clarify | Clear up |
| Distribute | Hand out |
| Investigate | Look into |
| Interrupt | Cut in |
| Postpone | Push back |
| Complete | Finish |
| Construct | Build |
| Consider | Think about |
| Informal | Casual |
| Formal | Proper |
| Remove | Take away |
| Appear | Show up |
| Refuse | Say no |
| Accept | Say yes |
| Explain | Talk about |
| Delay | Hold up |
| Invite | Ask over |
| Arrive | Get here |
| Depart | Leave |
| Repair | Fix |
| Investigate | Check out |
| Request | Put in for |
| Vacation | Time off |
| Employment | Job |
| Termination | Getting fired |
| Encourage | Cheer up |
| Disclose | Let out |
| Cancel | Call off |
| Determine | Figure out |
| Verify | Double-check |
Formal Words vs Informal Words
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Facilitate | Help |
| Absent | Not here |
| Present | Here |
| Additional | Extra |
| Approximately | Around |
| Compensate | Pay back |
| Continue | Keep going |
| Decrease | Go down |
| Increase | Go up |
| Difficult | Hard |
| Effort | Try |
| Engage | Join |
| Ensure | Make sure |
| Establish | Set up |
| Evaluate | Look over |
| Demonstrate | Act out |
| Disrespect | Talk back |
| Educate | Teach |
| Emphasize | Stress |
| Encourage | Push |
| Enter | Come in |
| Exit | Go out |
| Finalize | Wrap up |
| Frequently | Often |
| Immediately | Right now |
| Inappropriate | Not okay |
| Necessary | Must |
| Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Opinion | Thought |
| Permit | Allow |
Formal English vs Informal English
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Popular | Well liked |
| Possession | Thing you own |
| Prior to | Before |
| Rapidly | Quickly |
| Receive | Get |
| Reject | Say no |
| Relocate | Move |
| Remain | Stay |
| Require | Have to |
| Reschedule | Move the date |
| Responsibility | Job |
| Satisfy | Make happy |
| Sincere | Honest |
| Specify | Say exactly |
| State (verb) | Say |
| Submit | Turn in |
| Suggest | Say an idea |
| Support | Back up |
| Tolerate | Deal with |
| Utilize | Use |
| Verify | Check again |
| Volunteer | Help for free |
| Withdraw | Pull out |
| Allocate | Give out |
| Consult | Ask |
| Disregard | Skip |
| Commence | Begin |
| Terminate | End |
| Respond | Answer |
| Encounter | Meet |
| Offend | Hurt feelings |
| Aid | Help out |
Proper vs Casual Words
| Formal Word | Informal Word |
|---|---|
| Await | Hang on |
| Postpone | Delay |
| Assistance | Help |
| Comprehension | Understanding |
| Anticipate | Expect |
| Conclude | Wrap up |
| Prohibit | Ban |
| Reschedule | Change the date |
| Mandatory | Must do |
| Optional | Not required |
| Commonly | Often |
| Contact | Get in touch |
| Continue | Keep on |
| Decrease | Cut down |
| Depend on | Rely on |
| Different | Not the same |
| Disappear | Vanish |
| Effective | Works well |
| Expensive | Costly |
| Finally | At last |
| Grateful | Thankful |
| Hurry | Rush |
| Idea | Thought |
| Immediately | At once |
| Important | Big deal |
| Informed | Told |
| Inquire | Ask |
| Introduce | Bring in |
| Leave | Go out |
| Mention | Bring up |
| Obtain | Get |
| Opportunity | Chance |
| Participate | Join |
| Receive | Get |
| Remember | Keep in mind |
| Repair | Fix |
| Responsible | In charge |
| Return | Give back |
| Review | Look over |
| Show | Point out |
| Suggestion | Idea |
| Telephone | Call |
| Tired | Worn out |
| Visit | Stop by |
| Wait | Hold on |
| Warn | Let know |
| Wear | Have on |
| Write | Jot down |
How to Use This List
- Study 10–20 pairs daily
- Make your own sentences
- Practice speaking both versions
- Use formal for work or school
- Use informal with friends
FAQs about Formal vs Informal Words
Is it okay to use informal words in writing?
Yes, but only in personal or casual writing. For business or school, use formal words.
Can I mix formal and informal words?
Try to keep one style depending on the situation. Mixing may sound unprofessional.
Are formal words better than informal words?
Not better—just used in different places. Use what fits the moment.
How do I learn formal words easily?
Make word lists, practice with sentences, and read official emails or books.
Knowing the difference between formal and informal words helps you speak and write better English. Use this list daily, and try to build your vocabulary. Practice with sentences and quizzes to improve faster.
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