Writing Letters: formal & informal English

A letter to your friend and a cover letter for a job application are written very differently. Whether you work in business or are taking the general IELTS or CELPIP test, knowing the difference between informal and formal writing is a skill you should have. Watch this writing lesson, take our quiz, and check out our resource page to become a better writer.
- Use the resource: www.engvid.com/english-resourc...
- Take the quiz: www.engvid.com/writing-letters...
www.engvid.com/
TRANSCRIPT:
Hello, my name is Emma, and in today's lesson we are going to learn about writing. What kind of writing? Writing letters. Okay? So this is important for people who work in business. It's also important for people who like to write letters to their friends maybe or to their grandparents in English. Also, it is very... It is a very useful video for anyone who is taking the general IELTS test. So if you're taking not academic, but general, this is an important video. And also, if you plan to immigrate to Canada and you want to do the Canadian immigration test which is called: "the CELPIP", this video is also... It will also be useful and helpful to you. Okay?
So let's get started. What do I mean by "formal" and "informal"? "Informal" means something you would write to your friends, something you would write to your parents, - well, probably your parents unless you're afraid of your parents, then you might be more formal -, your classmates, your coworkers. Okay? So this is... It means it's not formal; it's for people you know well. On the other hand, "formal" English we use with strangers, we use with our boss, in the workplace, we use it in these different ways. So it's the English you really have to think about, whereas informal is kind of the relaxed English. So relaxed, serious. Okay?
So, sometimes you will have to write a letter formally, maybe to your boss or your company, other times maybe you're on holiday and you want to write a letter to your friend, you'll use informal English. So what is the difference? Let's see.
Informal English uses contractions. What are contractions? "Didn't", "wouldn't", "couldn't", "haven't", "hasn't". So if you see a verb with an apostrophe and then a "t", that is a contraction. Okay? It's very important to know this because in formal writing, you don't use contractions. "Didn't" would be: "Did not". I can write that for you. "Did not". Couldn't: could not, haven't: have not, can't: cannot. Okay? So that's one major difference.
Another major difference between formal and informal writing is the use of idioms; the use of certain expressions. If I'm writing to my friend, maybe I'll say: "Oh, you know, I've been very under the weather lately." Meaning: I've been very sick. If I'm writing to my boss, I won't use idioms. If I'm writing a formal letter, I will not use idioms. Those aren't good to use in formal writing.
Phrasal verbs, this is another thing we find in informal writing. What is a phrasal verb? It's a verb that has a preposition. Okay? So, for example: "find out", "find" is a verb, "out" is the preposition. "Go" is the verb, "up" is the preposition. So the... The preposition adds a different meaning to the verb. Phrasal verbs are very difficult to learn; we have so many of them in English. My students have told me phrasal verbs are one of the hardest parts of learning English, but it's possible, you can do it.

[@jimmoefoe1471]

don't go to school ,KZbin has everything we need

[@sebastianlambert986]

no it's doesn't that's why there's library's

[@fatemehrafigh718]

I'm positive

[@syedhussaini4340]

Jim is Reluctant you are curect

[@noorshawky7330]

well... not really

[@fazzynone1]

We still need to sit for exams, so we have to go.

[@paulsha9582]

Informal-->That's what she said. Formal---->That is what she said.

[@clueless6590]

ya lol

[@yasu90]

+paul sha masterclass

[@FarukKhan-ke6hl]

+paul sha how much you want for that comment?? how much money??

[@paulsha9582]

lots it's priceless

[@mustafamirza7064]

lmao

[@Najma_apsar]

Who is here in 2024?

[@hiddendurrah7958]

نحن هنا يا اخي

[@Redi999]

We are here brother

[@Him610]

Yh we r here, oh sorry I meant we are here

[@dainemanuelabas6890]

Me fr

[@user-op9bm5lk3h]

I AM HERE .

[@mihaelar.2890]

I am looking for helpful resources to improve my english and I had some issues with writings,but this video was the key to understand the differences.Thank you!

[@ericko.j8108]

I'm a native speaker of Portuguese (a Romance language) and I think learning phrasal verbs difficult. So now I have a reason to avoid to use them: I am a very serious person. hahaha

[@ToriRao]

I know how to speak English. I thought I should watch this video since I speak and I am around people who speak informal English. This is a great video. :)

[@steelcaptain1960]

Who’s here Cause teachers sent them here cause Covid19

[@vrishanksingh7674]

me its so saddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd

[@AL-gc5eb]

LOL I just gotta write a formal letter

[@anukshareddy9432]

Yes true

[@mecaska2828]

Yup

[@veronicaydavid7646]

Lol same I’m doing a card for my future teacher :,,,,(

[@connormcdonaldjones8473]

Very good pacing, the lesson was easy to follow. The link to the webpage is worth following; it has some very useful information and is easy to understand. A good resource, thanks.

[@FernandoPicazoCervantes]

Thanks teacher, now I undestand better when I should use Formal or Informal writting letters.

[@anishsharma4777]

Hey! Is it same for both Academic and General? Is it compulsory to use contractions in informal ?

[@AMBA526]

Working as a teacher on my android phone because I watch many videos on youtube about grammar related Moreover I have benefited through this opportunuty . I would like thanks them for giving us a golden opportunity .

[@xBula]

Thank you for helping me doing informal and formal writing! This really helps! KZbin > School!

[@amin4_]

True 👍🏻

[@sarahcheema3750]

Yeah. So True. 👍🏼

[@thefunfam13]

True 👍👍👍

[@wasimakramhaldercom]

Thanks ma'am, this is an easy to understand for any student like us. It is very helpful to me and hope to others. However, your efforts of teaching is good. May Allah bless you that you are going to make this world educated. Thanks

[@abdulsalamcv8467]

Nice

[@trolingaso1483]

Your english is brokee as fuck, mate.

[@errorsansfemale9456]

@Nataly Peralta agree Trolingaso is RUDE

[@adnankhan-bj7ne]

@@trolingaso1483 you are also fuckkkkkk

[@bhjopurichanelamansharma4891]

Yes

[@syedarmaghanhassan4652]

I would like to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart, for this enlightening resource you presented among us today.

[@thulaibarshad626]

You mean 10 years ago

[@syedarmaghanhassan4652]

@@thulaibarshad626 lol, yes, rather more precisely

[@roseajayifajuke3960]

You are indeed a good teacher .You are so exact and your simplicity of teaching is one to none. I will subscribe your channel

[@anndhhdikkka]

the materials you gave on this video is important and helpful. many resources do not mention it on their syllabus, but you do. i appreciate for this video and your way giving the material, totally easy to understand.

[@melinanazim_sebih1444]

Thank you for understanding my work miss Emma 👍❤️😊

[@noorshawky7330]

Thanks! that helped me more since my English exam is due tomorrow

[@mizanurbhuiyan3202]

I thanks her, she tells in that way that I have spoke with her several times that is I can understand her every word. I do not face any problem to understand even a single word of her.

[@md.shahadathkhan8911]

Great teacher! Great mentor! Great consultant!

[@SoukainaAmaadour]

As a Moroccan, I think you are the best English teacher I've ever known ! Thank you.

[@souhailkaoussi8615]

(y) she's the best ;)

[@SoukainaAmaadour]

Yes, she really is.

[@lochonmmarak2926]

Hi, Emma, thank you so much. Occassionally I am watching your videos on grammar and today I have learnt more knowledge of letter writing both iin Formal and Informal.

[@Mindset_Trive]

LoL

[@richardabia9735]

Yeah !!! I agree with you !!!

[@sharikzafar3733]

I hope you are doing well Am sharik from India am teacher your all videos i watch regularly now am preparing for fluently English i like your ideas and tips...

[@rogeliomendoza5341]

Thank you for helping me doing informal and formal writing

[@pauldsouza2018]

who is here after 7 years

[@renukamachal2737]

Me

[@user-xc6om6fj8w]

Not me

[@razalodhi8916]

me

[@abdirizakali9644]

10 yrs😂😂

[@Lizaihere]

After 10 years

[@molidzz1071]

I have learnt in 12 mins more than a whole scolastic year

[@abobs3044]

Hi Emma, in the case of a superior officer writing a mail querying a subordinate, can ‘please send it soon’ be used? Is it formal enough?

[@sljeha7372]

This is very useful video .Thank you very much!

[@abesapram9319]

Thanks u so much I got 100% in my test🤙🏿

[@darkelfasian]

i love your video a lots. Big thank to you Emma

[@santoshramekar8535]

Yes

[@vuyiswawelman6789]

Thanks my dear I love ur video

[@oksanab8455]

Nice teacher! Pleasant to listen!

[@Sophie-px4yb]

I'm really wondering about DVD in formal case. so need to use digital video disk instead of DVD? I haven't got any experience for English Thanks :)

[@pro369]

A fabulous display of teaching. A great teacher, lucid and to the point. A great style

[@benslamasiwar]

Hi Emma, can you please make a video about : " when do we use present perfect"

[@MoAmine-rn1bn2qh1i]

"When we are talking in Past without mentioning the time" that's all 🤝

[@rj44sb]

@@MoAmine-rn1bn2qh1i you give her reply after seven years

[@snur_8273]

@@rj44sb lol😅😅

[@knownfacts3721]

Hi , love you

[@taherelsayed8044]

You are the best English teacher ever.

[@PrinceandPariShow]

i found the best english teacher fo me , thank you

[@yesheydolma6656]

Thank you so much it is very useful

[@4madsun4]

Emma, Can we use am/ pm to represent time in FORMAL writing? or do we have to expand ? Is that ok if we write 18 hrs to denote 24 hour format? Please help

[@errorsansfemale9456]

I agree it would be helpful to know

[@BabitaSingh-qz5sv]

You made me learn how to write informal letter Thank you so much

[@samuroadventure1227]

Thank you, it help me to write my letter!

[@SangitaKumari-pz9id]

Thank you for this video 😄

[@arjuns1ngh]

Hi Emma, your videos are absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for these. I've literally been watching just your videos for tips and tricks in order to understand each section of the IELTS comprehensively. God bless you! Thank you again

[@madhugotti1]

Dear Emma, Formal and informal letter writing very useful video to me, thanks a lot.

[@aftabraja6190]

I do not understand the dislikes on this video my english is not the best but in these 12 minutes I have learned many new things thank you mis I strongly appreciate what you have learned me thank you

[@blombusters6959]

i needed this for my exam thx for makin this vid

[@enzolezana6468]

I strongly appreciate your learning content and way of teaching us. My English has increasingly improved because of you!

[@generalkryptonx3463]

That was an outstanding videostill studying in school but vrry helpful

[@kouassihervekouadio2879]

You're just wow Emma ! so informative and helpful thanks

[@fahimeemadi3398]

Dear Emma Hello I hope you well How are you? I would like to express my gratitude for your awesome teaching. Moreover I strongly know that you are tied up. Best Wishes, Fahime

[@zaintariq44]

Formal "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late" Informal "This whole place stinks and you're f**king rude!"

[@asplitpea2087]

The phrasal verb bit really helped me. Thank you!

[@hadiyasyd6109]

your accent is really very good i learn from you when ever i have english exam i watch your videos and you know this is my third english exam three of the exam i learn from you

[@AnilKumarP4U]

The Best English Teacher "EMMA"

[@annieallen9311]

And Paul too)

[@sumantrisjaifuddin1364]

And joe mama *lmao*

[@jesuschrist6884]

wow! great. keep up the good work!

[@KieuNguyen-jz4rm]

I have been watching your videos for years. Thank you very much

[@iblamead6942]

This might help me a lot ,thanks!

[@jackrobins8756]

Thank you for this. Finally, a video with music in the background or no effects down with it. Thank you so much! My exam is Tuesday! Thanks for the help!

[@rajaharoongulzar3786]

Thank you for sharing such a valuable video, but let me know that how can we make a practice of writing letters at home and how can we clarify our mistakes?

[@fahadbalobaid1510]

awesome teacher.She teaches well.

[@differenttypesgaming5548]

Hello I'm seeing your video from India you have a best teaching experience thank you Emma mam

[@yesiking520]

i love the way you explain. thank you

[@maxiecosgrove7422]

Thank you so much because of you I got 95*/.

[@hadjiratabalde7762]

Thanks for helping me understand difference between formal and informal letter

[@jeffmottamartinez860]

Coool! very helpful for classes!

[@Mygamergirlmaya]

If a great teacher and I have learned a lot of ur videos

[@RoshanKumar-pz7ow]

I want some more tips about letter writing

[@AbdoAli-kz9wl]

for he's very hot, you can say: he is steaming

[@areyoued6120]

@Jamal Ramadan did u not get the joke, lmaoooo

[@Allsmilessmith]

For real what’s happened to people have humor

[@nopep5606]

lol

[@rukhsanaadnan4067]

I think he has given an example

[@samratgyawali2809]

@@areyoued6120 no need to be rude.. I mean we'll are here to learn english. I am sure he didn't get the joke and he is trying to learn! English isn't everyone first language

[@zeyyaadluoluo2685]

thank you Emma all your vids soo helpful ,, i just want to ask if you can make a vids about writing essay on ielts task 2 for general ielts module

[@NADEEMKHAN-dx7di]

Really this woman is so good and easy method of learning English

[@leisure416]

MIS. Emma, you are excellent at all of your grammar lessons and the way of your introduction is very nice. I ever admire your great mission that you do it through the internet. my great salutation for your great service!

[@ziavszen9076]

simp

[@jarrinitiseno5726]

I strongly agree with you. I really appreciate it.

[@user-xg8bt2so8b]

that's great to learn english with you thank you very much

[@avadheshtiwari9035]

Very very thank you miss today is my exam you are very good tutor

[@SatishKumar-ps1vy]

This is really nice clip for telling the diffrence between formal & informal letters.

[@krishnap478]

Mam I have learned well English with you I'm from India

[@puransinghbisht5686]

Hi ,i m also Indian.😊😊😊

[@rohitdas2773]

You are great 💗lots of love from Nepal 🇳🇵 .tomorrow is my exam and I am watching it at almost 2 am .

[@TawiahEmmanuel-pg3ns]

Thanks for time and you are the best online teacher

[@robertoleeva985]

20 years out of school and I still find writing very interesting.

[@politicsandentertainment1708]

thank you so much, wonderful teacher.I'm from the philippines,I watched a lot of your english videos and its helpful.

[@MegaSahil05]

Emma you are best ! I have seen alot of IELTS videos but it's you who always have something which others don't ! Keep up the good work !

[@goldenwastatekaungvax6676]

Thank you so much beautiful teacher .❤️🤙👍💪

[@charleslovehewitt4393]

Thank you Emma for the IELTs reading test. Please more about this type of examination.

[@chinhkhung21]

Thank you so much for this lesson :)

[@khanhtruong8773]

Actually, this video is so useful for me, thank you so much

[@ShohidaArslonova]

Thank you for your lesson . It is very helpful

[@achouakyachirart]

Thank you so much, I benefited from you 💗💝

[@nomivlogs5129]

good

[@rodri181000]

excellent. you told to many ideas about of expression in englis, excellent now, I learned, how write formal, for me is important, because, i´m going to find a job (position in english, obviously) is important to know all thing. THANK YOU.

[@justsurfingtheinternet1816]

Your comment has horrible English. Try to be at least a bit formal. Thank you

[@noneone.............]

I do love what's about letter is...it makes me figure out about a thing

[@mahmudemon5182]

Emma is the best in ielts teacher. Love you & go ahead 💞💞💞

[@HarryFamily]

Hi Teacher Emma thank you for this video.. My exam will be on August 14 and I'm really freakin' out.

[@ladybird_edits6039]

Good luck

[@shribandekar8571]

Unak

[@marabelbiddick2196]

I need essay writer. Please recommend.

[@charlasouthgate1609]

*essay-help.all-about.in* - this service has done well with all the papers I requested or needed.

[@sujithbabuk]

Yes,could you make the video

[@vazulregim3388]

letter for bron

[@reenarajput6484]

nice video. .thanks dear

[@math2mkd225]

Marabel Biddick yyyy

[@crazy-maxedout8512]

Thank you .love from South Africa

[@sterlingjohnson5819]

Love it😘doing two topics in one video

[@lamineaim5562]

if i miss emma's lesson my day is bad , i simply love the way she teaches , not only because she's beautiful but because she's spontanious and that's makes her really good, keep up the good work emma, bless you.

[@xiangwangcheng9806]

I think that is just a spelling error, but it's " that makes her really good", right?

[@animotionobsession7594]

beautiful class,my beautiful teacher!

[@bangtanforever7631]

I had a test today and it was to write about healthy lifestyles, can u please make a video on that? I need help!!

[@user-lt1wt6qq6u]

tons of thanks TEACHER EMMA

[@masoumehnorouzi4064]

this program is so helpful, thank you Emma, I like you so much, your teaching is well

[@saracapetillo6802]

This was extremely helpful! I am a native English speaker and had never understood the terms "idiom," and "imperative" I am also helplessly addicted to contractions when I write and have never heard of the term "phrasal verbs" Great!

[@marcospaulooliveira8813]

Dear Emma ,24/11/2021 I have to tell you that I'm Brazilian, and I like to spend more time in my spare time, or when I'm upset, to watch your videos, you're amazing, if I could I would spend more time watching your videos.

[@arandomcivilian2988]

Lol

[@kamazell8321]

many thanks Emma!)