Formal and informal vocabulary

Some words and expressions are used mainly in formal situations; in neutral or informal situations other words or expressions are used. And some words and expressions are only used in informal situations. Some examples:

• FORMAL: commence
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: begin, start

• FORMAL: alight (from a bus or train)
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: get off

• FORMAL: I beg your pardon?
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: Pardon? Sorry? (AmE Excuse me? Pardon me?)
  INFORMAL: What?

• FORMAL: repair
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: mend (BrE)
  INFORMAL: fix

• FORMAL: acceptable, satisfactory
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: all right
  INFORMAL: OK

• FORMAL: I am (very) grateful to you.
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: Thank you.
  INFORMAL: Thanks.

• FORMAL: conceal
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: hide

• FORMAL: construct
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: build

• FORMAL: enquire
  NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: ask

• FORMAL: purchase
  NEUTRAL: buy
  INFORMAL: get, pick up

note

For more about formal and informal language, (see here).

For formal and informal ways of using people’s names and titles, (see here).

For the language used in particular social situations, (see here).

For slang, (see here).