Formal vs Informal English Writing
Formal vs Informal English Writing (আনুষ্ঠানিক ও অনানুষ্ঠানিক লেখা)
Introductionভূমিকা
Formal and informal are two 'levels' of English. Formal English suits offices, applications and exams; informal English suits friends and family. Choosing the right level is as important as being grammatically correct.
Formal ও informal হলো ইংরেজির দুটি 'স্তর'। Formal English অফিস, দরখাস্ত ও পরীক্ষার জন্য; informal English বন্ধু ও পরিবারের জন্য। সঠিক স্তর বাছা ব্যাকরণ শুদ্ধতার মতোই জরুরি।
Definitionসংজ্ঞা
Formal writing avoids slang and contractions, uses full sentences and polite phrases; informal writing is relaxed, uses contractions, short forms and everyday words.
Formal লেখায় slang ও contraction এড়ানো হয়, পূর্ণ বাক্য ও ভদ্র শব্দ ব্যবহার হয়; informal লেখা সহজ, এতে contraction, সংক্ষিপ্ত রূপ ও দৈনন্দিন শব্দ চলে।
Bangla Explanationবাংলা ব্যাখ্যা
কখন কোনটা ব্যবহার করবেন? চাকরির দরখাস্ত, শিক্ষককে চিঠি, অফিসের ইমেইল, IELTS-এর essay — এসবে formal English দরকার। বন্ধুকে মেসেজ, পরিবারের সাথে কথা — এসবে informal ঠিক আছে। কিছু সহজ পার্থক্য মনে রাখুন। Formal-এ contraction (I'm, don't) পুরো লিখুন (I am, do not)। Formal-এ 'get' এর বদলে 'receive', 'buy' এর বদলে 'purchase', 'ask for' এর বদলে 'request' বসে। Informal-এ 'Hi', 'Thanks', 'wanna', 'gonna' চলে; formal-এ 'Dear Sir', 'Thank you', 'want to', 'going to' লিখুন। Slang ও emoji formal লেখায় নয়। সন্দেহ হলে বেশি ভদ্র ও একটু বেশি formal দিকেই থাকুন — এতে ঝুঁকি কম।
Examplesউদাহরণ
- Formal: I would like to request more information.Formal: আমি আরও তথ্য চাই (ভদ্রভাবে অনুরোধ)।
- Informal: Can you send me more info?Informal: আরও তথ্য পাঠাতে পারবে?
- Formal: I am writing to inform you that the meeting is postponed.Formal: আপনাকে জানাচ্ছি যে সভাটি স্থগিত হয়েছে।
- Informal: Hey, the meeting's off!Informal: আরে, মিটিং বাতিল!
- Formal: Thank you for your assistance. Yours faithfully.Formal: আপনার সহায়তার জন্য ধন্যবাদ। বিনীত।
- Informal: Thanks a lot! Cheers.Informal: অনেক ধন্যবাদ! ভালো থেকো।
Common Mistakesসাধারণ ভুল
Hey Sir, I wanna apply for the job.
Dear Sir, I would like to apply for the job.
'Hey' and 'wanna' are informal; a job application needs 'Dear Sir' and 'would like to'.
I'm gonna send the report soon.
I will send the report soon.
Avoid contractions and slang like 'gonna' in formal writing.
Plz reply asap, thx.
Please reply at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Chat abbreviations (plz, asap, thx) do not belong in formal messages.
The boss said no, so that's that.
The manager did not approve the request.
Formal writing avoids casual phrases and states facts plainly.
Tipsটিপস
- Write out contractions in formal text: 'do not' instead of 'don't'. — Formal লেখায় contraction পুরো লিখুন: 'don't' নয়, 'do not'।
- Swap casual verbs for formal ones: get → receive, buy → purchase, ask → request. — সাধারণ verb বদলে formal verb বসান: get → receive, buy → purchase, ask → request।
- Keep slang, emoji and chat short-forms out of applications, essays and office emails. — দরখাস্ত, essay ও অফিস ইমেইলে slang, emoji ও চ্যাট short-form রাখবেন না।
- When unsure who will read it, choose the more polite, more formal option. — কে পড়বে নিশ্চিত না হলে বেশি ভদ্র ও formal রূপটাই বাছুন।
Quizকুইজ
Tap an answer to check yourself — a free preview of the full graded quiz in the app.
1. Which greeting is formal?
2. Choose the formal version: 'Can you get me the file?'
3. Which word is more formal?
Practiceঅনুশীলন
Try each one, then reveal the answer.
1. Make it formal: 'I wanna know the price.'
Hint: Replace 'wanna' with 'would like to'.
2. Make it formal: 'Thanks, bye!'
Hint: Use a full 'Thank you' and a formal sign-off.
3. Make it informal for a friend: 'I am writing to inform you that I will be late.'
Hint: Use a contraction and a casual greeting.
Related Lessonsসম্পর্কিত পাঠ
- How to Start and End an Email in EnglishHow to start and end an email in English: the right greetings, opening lines and sign-offs, with Bangla meaning, common mistakes and a free quiz for learners.
- Common Writing Mistakes in EnglishThe most common writing mistakes in english for Bangladeshi learners: articles, prepositions, spelling and word order, with Bangla meaning, fixes and a quiz.
- How to Write a Formal Email in EnglishLearn how to write a formal email in English step by step: subject line, greeting, body, polite closing and sign-off, with ready templates, examples and a free quiz.
AI Practiceএআই অনুশীলন
Practise this topic in a real conversation with your AI teacher — it asks questions, corrects you gently, and adapts to your level, all inside EnglishBD.
Practise with the AI teacher →Frequently Asked Questionsসাধারণ জিজ্ঞাসা
When should I use formal English?
Use formal English for job applications, letters to teachers or officials, office emails and exams such as IELTS writing.
Are contractions allowed in formal writing?
Usually not. Write 'I am', 'do not' and 'cannot' in full for formal text; save 'I'm' and 'don't' for informal messages.
Is informal English wrong?
No. Informal English is correct and natural with friends and family. It only feels wrong when used where formal English is expected.