IELTS Writing: telling the difference between formal and informal

IELTS Writing: telling the difference between formal and informal

Many of you have asked me about the difference between formal and informal writing in IELTS and this tells me that it’s a common problem. So here is what you need to know about the styles of writing in IELTS.

If you are preparing for the Academic IELTS module, both Task 1 and Task 2 in the Writing test are formal. For General Training candidates, Task 2 in Writing is always formal, and Task 1 can be formal or informal. 

As you know, Task 1 for GT module is a letter, and if the topic asks you to write to someone you know, that is an informal letter – as opposed to writing to someone you don’t know which is formal.

The difference between formal and informal styles is mainly in the vocabulary. Informal words are the ones used in everyday conversations 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 ‘heavy’ words.

Formal	Informal
Inform me	Let me know
Cancel	Drop
Contact	Get in touch
Obtain	Get
Apologise	Say sorry
Postpone	Delay
Request	Ask for
Compensate	Make up
Establish	Set up
Discover	Find out
Handle	Deal with
Investigate	Check up on
Tolerate	Put up
Increase	Go up
Children	Kids
Many / Much	A lot of
Many / Much	Heaps of