Overview
Register refers to the level of formality in language. Formal register uses complex sentences, passive voice, impersonal structures, and advanced vocabulary. Informal register uses contractions, phrasal verbs, and colloquial expressions. Choosing the right register is essential in professional and academic contexts.
Formal Features
- LexisFormal vocabulary: commence, terminate, endeavour, reside, utilise
- SyntaxNominalisations, passive voice, complex sentences, embedded clauses
- AvoidContractions, phrasal verbs, first person (academic), slang
- ExampleIt is recommended that the proposal be reviewed (not 'You should check the proposal')
Informal Features
- LexisInformal: get, start, end, live, use, ask, try
- GrammarContractions (can't, I've), ellipsis, phrasal verbs, direct address
- HedgingInformal hedges: kind of, sort of, I mean, you know
- ExampleYou should probably check the proposal again
Context Determines Choice
- Academic essay / legal document → formal throughout
- Business email to colleague → semi-formal (professional but not stiff)
- Social media / casual chat → informal
- ❌ Register mixing: The company is gonna commence operations → inconsistent
When to use
Academic writing
It is widely acknowledged that further investigation is required.
Formal email
I am writing to enquire about the status of my application.
Casual speech
I was gonna ask about my application — any news?
Business report
The implementation of the revised strategy commenced in Q3.