Formal vs. Informal: Mastering Verb Choice in English

Choosing the right verb in English can significantly impact how your message is received. Using formal verbs in casual conversations might sound stilted or pretentious, while using informal verbs in professional settings can appear unprofessional.

This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the nuances of verb choice in formal and informal contexts. By mastering these distinctions, you’ll improve your communication skills and ensure your message is appropriate for any situation.

This guide is perfect for English language learners, students, professionals, and anyone looking to refine their language skills.

This article will explore the differences between formal and informal verbs, offering clear definitions, examples, and practice exercises. You’ll learn how to identify appropriate verbs for various scenarios, avoid common mistakes, and elevate your overall command of the English language.

Let’s dive in and discover the art of choosing the perfect verb for every occasion!

Table of Contents

• Definition: Formal vs. Informal Verbs
• Structural Breakdown of Verb Forms
• Categories of Formal and Informal Verb Use
• Examples of Formal and Informal Verbs
  • General Examples
  • Business Context
  • Academic Writing
  • Social Situations
  • Legal Context
• Usage Rules for Formal and Informal Verbs
• Common Mistakes with Formal and Informal Verbs
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Identifying Formal and Informal Verbs
  • Exercise 2: Rewriting Sentences
  • Exercise 3: Choosing the Right Verb
• Advanced Topics: Nuances and Subtleties
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Definition: Formal vs. Informal Verbs

Formal and informal verbs represent different registers or styles of language used in varying social and professional contexts. Formal verbs are typically used in professional, academic, or legal settings, characterized by a serious tone and adherence to grammatical conventions. They often convey respect, objectivity, and authority. Informal verbs, on the other hand, are used in casual conversations, personal writing, and other situations where a relaxed and friendly tone is appropriate. They often reflect familiarity, spontaneity, and personal expression.

The choice between formal and informal verbs depends heavily on the audience, purpose, and setting of the communication. Using a formal verb in an informal setting might sound overly stiff or pretentious, while using an informal verb in a formal setting can seem unprofessional or disrespectful.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for effective communication.

Classification: Verbs can be classified as formal or informal based on their typical usage and associated connotations. Some verbs are inherently formal (e.g., ascertain, endeavor, stipulate), while others are inherently informal (e.g., hang out, chill, crash). Many verbs can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but their connotations may shift depending on the specific situation. Function: The function of a verb (to express an action, state, or occurrence) remains the same regardless of its formality. However, the way that function is perceived changes significantly. Formal verbs are often used to convey precision and objectivity, while informal verbs are used to convey warmth and familiarity. Contexts: Formal contexts include business meetings, academic papers, legal documents, and formal presentations. Informal contexts include conversations with friends and family, personal emails, social media posts, and casual gatherings.

Structural Breakdown of Verb Forms

The structure of verbs themselves doesn’t necessarily determine their formality. Both formal and informal verbs follow the same grammatical rules regarding tense, aspect, and mood.

However, the choice of verb often influences the overall structure of a sentence. For example, formal writing often favors more complex sentence structures with subordinate clauses and passive voice constructions, while informal writing tends to use simpler sentences with active voice.

Phrasal verbs (verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs, such as “look into” or “find out”) are generally considered less formal than their single-word equivalents (“investigate” or “discover”). Using phrasal verbs can make your writing or speech sound more conversational and approachable. However, in formal contexts, it is often preferable to use single-word verbs to maintain a more precise and professional tone.

Consider the following examples:

• Informal: We need to find out what happened.
• Formal: We need to investigate what happened.

While both sentences convey the same basic meaning, the second sentence uses a more formal verb (investigate) and sounds more appropriate for a professional report or presentation.

Categories of Formal and Informal Verb Use

Formal and informal verb usage can be categorized based on several factors, including the level of politeness, the degree of directness, and the overall tone of the communication. Here are some common categories:

Politeness

Formal language often employs polite and indirect expressions, while informal language can be more direct and casual. For example:

• Formal: Would you mind assisting me with this task?
• Informal: Can you help me with this?

Directness

Formal language tends to avoid overly direct or blunt statements, opting for more nuanced and diplomatic phrasing. Informal language, on the other hand, can be more straightforward and to the point.

For example:

• Formal: I regret to inform you that your application has been denied.
• Informal: Sorry, but you didn’t get the job.

Tone

Formal language aims for a serious, objective, and professional tone, while informal language can be more relaxed, humorous, or personal. For example:

• Formal: The committee concluded that further research is necessary.
• Informal: We figured out that we need to do more research.

Level of Specificity

Formal language often requires more specific and precise vocabulary, avoiding slang or colloquialisms. Informal language allows for more flexible and casual word choices.

For example:

• Formal: The patient exhibited symptoms of the disease.
• Informal: The patient showed signs of being sick.

Examples of Formal and Informal Verbs

This section provides extensive examples of formal and informal verbs used in various contexts. The tables below illustrate the differences in usage and connotation.

General Examples

The following table provides a general comparison of formal and informal verb alternatives. Carefully consider the nuances of each word and its context.

Formal Verb	Informal Verb	Example (Formal)	Example (Informal)
Ascertain	Find out	The investigator sought to ascertain the truth.	I need to find out what happened.
Utilize	Use	The company utilizes advanced technology.	We use this software every day.
Commence	Start	The meeting will commence at 9:00 AM.	Let’s start the project now.
Terminate	End	The contract was terminated due to non-compliance.	The game ended early.
Reside	Live	She resides in a quiet neighborhood.	I live in the city center.
Acquire	Get	The museum acquired a new artifact.	I need to get some groceries.
Indicate	Show	The data indicate a positive trend.	The results show improvement.
Request	Ask for	I would like to request your assistance.	Can I ask for your help?
Provide	Give	We provide excellent customer service.	We give great discounts.
Inquire	Ask	Please inquire at the front desk.	Just ask someone for directions.
Confirm	Check	Please confirm your reservation.	Let me check my schedule.
Inform	Tell	I must inform you of the changes.	I need to tell you something.
Examine	Look at	The doctor will examine the patient.	Let’s look at the report.
Maintain	Keep	The company maintains high standards.	We keep the office clean.
Obtain	Get	You must obtain permission first.	You need to get a ticket.
Implement	Put in place	The new policy will be implemented next month.	We’ll put the changes in place soon.
Facilitate	Help	The workshop will facilitate learning.	This tool will help you learn faster.
Assess	Check out	The teacher will assess the students’ progress.	Let’s check out how everyone is doing.
Constitute	Make up	These factors constitute the main problem.	These things make up the biggest issue.
Demonstrate	Show	The study demonstrates a clear link.	The research shows a connection.
Evaluate	See how	The manager will evaluate the team’s performance.	We’ll see how the team did.
Expedite	Hurry up	We will expedite the process.	Let’s hurry up the process.
Negotiate	Talk	The parties will negotiate the terms.	They’ll talk about the deal.
Rectify	Fix	We will rectify the error immediately.	We’ll fix the mistake right away.
Substantiate	Back up	You must substantiate your claims.	You need to back up what you say.

Business Context

In a business environment, using the correct level of formality is essential for maintaining professionalism and building credibility. Here are some examples of verb choices in a business context.

Formal Verb	Informal Verb	Example (Formal)	Example (Informal)
Advise	Tell	I would advise you to review the contract.	I’ll tell you what to do.
Submit	Hand in	Please submit your report by Friday.	Hand in your work by Friday.
Attend	Go to	All employees must attend the training session.	Everyone needs to go to the training.
Discuss	Talk about	We will discuss the budget at the meeting.	We’ll talk about money at the meeting.
Analyze	Check out	The team will analyze the market trends.	They’ll check out what’s happening in the market.
Approve	OK	The manager must approve the expense report.	The boss needs to OK the spending.
Implement	Set up	We will implement the new system next month.	We’ll set up the new system soon.
Negotiate	Work out	The company will negotiate a new contract.	They’ll work out a new deal.
Authorize	Let	I am authorized to sign the document.	I can let you sign it.
Recommend	Suggest	I recommend that you consider this option.	I suggest you think about this.
Delegate	Pass on	I will delegate this task to my assistant.	I’ll pass this task on to my assistant.
Oversee	Keep an eye on	I will oversee the project.	I’ll keep an eye on the project.
Collaborate	Team up	We will collaborate with another department.	We’ll team up with another department.
Expedite	Speed up	We need to expedite the delivery.	We need to speed up the delivery.
Formulate	Come up with	We need to formulate a new strategy.	We need to come up with a new plan.
Revise	Go over	We need to revise the document.	We need to go over the document.
Clarify	Spell out	Let me clarify the instructions.	Let me spell out the instructions.
Ascertain	Get to the bottom of	We need to ascertain the cause of the problem.	We need to get to the bottom of the problem.
Facilitate	Smooth the way	I will facilitate the meeting.	I’ll smooth the way for the meeting.
Procure	Round up	We need to procure the necessary supplies.	We need to round up the supplies.

Academic Writing

In academic writing, precision and objectivity are paramount. Formal verbs are essential for conveying complex ideas and research findings.

Here are some examples of appropriate verb choices for academic contexts.

Formal Verb	Informal Verb	Example (Formal)	Example (Informal)
Investigate	Look into	This study investigates the effects of climate change.	We’ll look into the climate change effects.
Demonstrate	Show	The results demonstrate a clear correlation.	The results show a link.
Analyze	Figure out	We will analyze the data using statistical methods.	We’ll figure out the data using stats.
Hypothesize	Guess	The researchers hypothesize that the treatment will be effective.	They guess the treatment will work.
Interpret	See	The findings can be interpreted in several ways.	We can see the findings differently.
Examine	Check out	The paper examines the role of social media.	The paper checks out social media’s role.
Posit	Say	The author posits that globalization has increased inequality.	The author says globalization made things worse.
Delineate	Lay out	This section will delineate the key concepts.	This part will lay out the ideas.
Synthesize	Put together	The study synthesizes findings from multiple sources.	The study puts together different ideas.
Validate	Prove	The experiments validate the theory.	The experiments prove the theory.
Elucidate	Explain	The professor will elucidate the concept.	The professor will explain the concept.
Corroborate	Back up	The evidence corroborates the claim.	The evidence backs up the claim.
Disseminate	Spread	We need to disseminate the findings.	We need to spread the findings.
Evaluate	Size up	We need to evaluate the results critically.	We need to size up the results.
Formulate	Cook up	We need to formulate a research question.	We need to cook up a research question.
Substantiate	Bear out	The data substantiates the hypothesis.	The data bears out the hypothesis.
Conceptualize	Think up of	We need to conceptualize a new model.	We need to think up of a new model.
Critique	Tear apart	We need to critique the existing literature.	We need to tear apart the existing literature.
Explicate	Walk through	We need to explicate the core principles.	We need to walk through the core principles.
Extrapolate	Read into	We can extrapolate future trends.	We can read into future trends.

Social Situations

In social situations, informality is generally preferred to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Using informal verbs helps to build rapport and connect with others on a personal level.

Here are some examples of verb choices in social contexts.

Formal Verb	Informal Verb	Example (Formal)	Example (Informal)
Request	Ask for	May I request your presence at the party?	Can I ask you to come to the party?
Indicate	Show	Please indicate your preference.	Show me what you like.
Inquire	Ask	If you wish to inquire, please contact us.	If you want to ask, just call us.
Acquaint	Meet	Allow me to acquaint you with my friend.	Let me introduce you to my friend.
Consume	Eat/Drink	Would you care to consume some refreshments?	Want to grab a bite?
Depart	Leave	I must depart now.	I gotta go now.
Reside	Live	Where do you reside?	Where do you live?
Utilize	Use	You may utilize the facilities.	You can use the facilities.
Inform	Tell	I must inform you of the news.	I need to tell you something.
Assist	Help	May I assist you?	Can I help you?
Attend	Show up	Will you attend the event?	Will you show up at the event?
Congratulate	Give props	I want to congratulate you.	I want to give you props.
Discuss	Chat about	Let’s discuss the plan.	Let’s chat about the plan.
Entertain	Hang out with	I will entertain guests.	I will hang out with guests.
Gather	Get together	We will gather at the park.	We will get together at the park.
Offer	Treat to	I will offer you a drink.	I will treat you to a drink.
Partake	Tuck into	Please partake of the meal.	Please tuck into the meal.
Regale	Spin a yarn	I will regale you with a story.	I will spin a yarn for you.
Socialize	Mix and mingle	Let’s socialize at the party.	Let’s mix and mingle at the party.
Visit	Drop by	I will visit you soon.	I will drop by soon.

Legal Context

In legal documents and proceedings, precision and formality are of utmost importance. Using formal verbs ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Here are some examples of verb choices in a legal context.

Formal Verb	Informal Verb	Example (Formal)	Example (Informal)
Stipulate	Say	The contract stipulates that…	The contract says that…
Assert	Claim	The defendant asserts his innocence.	The defendant claims he didn’t do it.
Allege	Say	The plaintiff alleges that…	The plaintiff says that…
Contend	Argue	The lawyer will contend that…	The lawyer will argue that…
Testify	Say	The witness will testify under oath.	The witness will say what happened.
Adhere	Stick to	The parties must adhere to the agreement.	They have to stick to the deal.
Comply	Follow	The company must comply with the regulations.	The company needs to follow the rules.
Enforce	Make sure	The court will enforce the law.	The court will make sure the law is followed.
Nullify	Cancel	The contract can be nullified under certain conditions.	The contract can be canceled if certain things happen.
Prescribe	Set out	The law prescribes the penalties.	The law sets out the penalties.
Mandate	Order	The court mandates that…	The court orders that…
Litigate	Sue	They will litigate the matter in court.	They will sue over the matter.
Prosecute	Go after	The state will prosecute the suspect.	The state will go after the suspect.
Adjudicate	Rule on	The judge will adjudicate the dispute.	The judge will rule on the dispute.
Convict	Find guilty	The jury will convict the defendant.	The jury will find the defendant guilty.
Exonerate	Let off	The evidence exonerates the accused.	The evidence lets off the accused.
Impeach	Get rid of	They will impeach the official.	They will get rid of the official.
Ratify	Sign off on	The Senate must ratify the treaty.	The Senate must sign off on the treaty.
Rescind	Take back	They may rescind the order.	They may take back the order.
Subpoena	Call in	They will subpoena the witness.	They will call in the witness.

Usage Rules for Formal and Informal Verbs

The primary rule for using formal and informal verbs is to match your language to the context. Consider your audience, the purpose of your communication, and the setting in which you are speaking or writing. Here are some additional guidelines:

• Avoid mixing registers: Do not switch between formal and informal language within the same sentence or paragraph. This can create a jarring effect and undermine your credibility.
• Consider your audience: If you are unsure about the appropriate level of formality, it is generally better to err on the side of formality, especially in professional settings.
• Be aware of connotations: Even if a verb is grammatically correct, its connotations may make it inappropriate for a particular context. For example, using slang or colloquialisms in a formal presentation can be seen as disrespectful.
• Pay attention to tone: Formal language tends to be more objective and impersonal, while informal language can be more subjective and personal. Choose verbs that reflect the desired tone of your communication.
• Use formal verbs when writing legal or academic documents: Legal documents and academic papers require precise language.

Exceptions: There are some situations where mixing formal and informal language may be acceptable or even desirable. For example, you might use informal language in a business meeting to build rapport with colleagues or to explain a complex concept in a more accessible way. However, it is important to use this technique judiciously and to be aware of the potential risks.

Common Mistakes with Formal and Informal Verbs

One of the most common mistakes is using informal verbs in formal contexts, which can make your writing or speech sound unprofessional or disrespectful. Conversely, using overly formal verbs in informal settings can make you sound stiff or pretentious.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and how to correct them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
We need to figure out the solution. (Formal context)	We need to determine the solution.	“Figure out” is too informal for a professional setting.
I request you to come over later. (Informal context)	I ask you to come over later.	“Request” is too formal for a casual invitation.
The company is gonna implement the new policy. (Formal context)	The company will implement the new policy.	“Gonna” is a contraction and too informal.
Let’s commence the party! (Informal context)	Let’s start the party!	“Commence” sounds too formal for a party.
I require your assistance. (Informal context)	I need your help.	“Require” is too formal for a casual request.
The data shows a significant trend. (Formal context)	The data demonstrates a significant trend.	“Shows” is less formal than “demonstrates” in academic writing.
We’ll look into the matter. (Formal context)	We will investigate the matter.	“Look into” is a phrasal verb and less formal.
They told me to do it. (Formal context)	They advised me to do it.	“Told” is too direct and informal.
Please hand in your assignments. (Formal context)	Please submit your assignments.	“Hand in” is a phrasal verb and less formal.
I need to check out the report. (Formal context)	I need to examine the report.	“Check out” is too casual for a formal report review.

Practice Exercises

These exercises will help you practice identifying and using formal and

informal verbs in various contexts. Each exercise focuses on different aspects of verb usage, from recognizing formality to rewriting sentences to choosing the right verb for a given situation.

Exercise 1: Identifying Formal and Informal Verbs

Instructions: Read each sentence and identify whether the verb used is formal or informal. Explain your choice.

1. The committee will deliberate on the matter.
2. Let’s hang out later.
3. The company endeavors to provide excellent service.
4. I need to crash at your place tonight.
5. The professor will elucidate the theory.
6. We should chill this weekend.
7. The evidence substantiates the claim.
8. I’ll swing by your office tomorrow.
9. The manager will assess the situation.
10. Let’s grab a coffee.

Answer Key:

1. Deliberate: Formal. It is typically used in official or serious contexts.
2. Hang out: Informal. It is a phrasal verb used in casual conversations.
3. Endeavors: Formal. It conveys a sense of serious effort and commitment.
4. Crash: Informal. It is a slang term for staying overnight.
5. Elucidate: Formal. It is used in academic or intellectual discussions.
6. Chill: Informal. It is a slang term for relaxing.
7. Substantiates: Formal. It is used in legal or academic contexts to indicate proof.
8. Swing by: Informal. It is a phrasal verb for visiting briefly.
9. Assess: Formal. It is used in professional or academic settings for evaluation.
10. Grab: Informal. It is a casual term for getting something quickly.

Exercise 2: Rewriting Sentences

Instructions: Rewrite each sentence using a more formal or informal verb, as indicated in parentheses.

1. We need to find out what happened. (Formal)
2. Can you help me with this task? (Formal)
3. I will tell you about the project. (Formal)
4. Let’s start the meeting. (Formal)
5. I have to go now. (Informal)
6. They will check the results. (Formal)
7. We need to fix the problem. (Formal)
8. I’ll show up at the party. (Formal)
9. Let’s talk about our vacation. (Formal)
10. I’ll give you a call later. (Formal)

Answer Key:

1. We need to ascertain what happened.
2. Would you mind assisting me with this task?
3. I will inform you about the project.
4. Let’s commence the meeting.
5. I must depart now.
6. They will examine the results.
7. We need to rectify the problem.
8. I will attend the party.
9. Let’s discuss our vacation.
10. I will telephone you later.

Exercise 3: Choosing the Right Verb

Instructions: Choose the more appropriate verb (formal or informal) for each sentence, considering the context provided.

1. In a business meeting: “We need to (discuss / chat about) the budget.”
2. In an academic paper: “The study (shows / demonstrates) a clear correlation.”
3. In a casual conversation: “Let’s (grab / consume) some coffee.”
4. In a legal document: “The contract (says / stipulates) the terms of agreement.”
5. To a friend: “I’ll (swing by / visit) your place later.”
6. In a formal presentation: “The results (indicate / point to) a positive trend.”
7. In an email to your boss: “I will (look into / investigate) the issue.”
8. To your colleague: “Let’s (team up / collaborate) on this project.”
9. In a research paper: “The professor will (explain / elucidate) the matter.”
10. To your friend: “Do you want to (hang out / socialize) this weekend?”

Answer Key:

1. Discuss
2. Demonstrates
3. Grab
4. Stipulates
5. Swing by
6. Indicate
7. Investigate
8. Collaborate
9. Elucidate
10. Hang out

Advanced Topics: Nuances and Subtleties

Beyond the basic distinctions between formal and informal verbs, there are more subtle nuances to consider. These include the use of euphemisms, hedging, and intensifiers. Euphemisms are mild or indirect words or expressions used to replace ones considered too harsh or blunt. For example, instead of saying someone died, you might say they passed away. Hedging involves using cautious or vague language to avoid making overly strong claims or commitments. For example, instead of saying “This will solve the problem,” you might say “This could potentially solve the problem.” Intensifiers are words or phrases that strengthen or emphasize a statement. In formal language, intensifiers are often used sparingly to maintain objectivity. In informal language, they are used more freely to express emotion or enthusiasm.

Understanding these nuances can help you fine-tune your language and communicate more effectively in a variety of situations. It’s also important to consider cultural differences in verb usage.

What is considered formal in one culture may be considered informal in another. Being aware of these differences can help you avoid misunderstandings and build stronger relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering the art of choosing between formal and informal verbs is essential for effective communication in English. By understanding the nuances of verb usage and considering your audience, purpose, and setting, you can ensure that your message is appropriate and well-received.

Remember to practice identifying and using formal and informal verbs in various contexts, and to be aware of common mistakes. With a little effort, you can refine your language skills and elevate your overall command of the English language.

Keep exploring, practicing, and refining your understanding of these subtle yet significant distinctions, and you’ll find your communication becoming clearer, more effective, and more impactful.