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Lesson No. 90
Formal and Informal writing.
Writing Letters including e-mail correspondence.
We must know the difference between formal and informal letters.
Formal Letters.
This is important for people who work in business. We have to use formal language
in business letters. Formal language is used to communicate with
● our boss/ higher-ups;
● to apply for jobs,
● to write resume or the cover letter to the resume, c.v.;
● to write to strangers,
● to write to institutions, head of the institution, principal of the college etc.
This kind of letters should be in formal English. We have to write formal letters.
● Letter writing is also useful for people who prepare for IELTS and try to go
abroad for higher studies or jobs, better prospects.
● Formal Language is necessary in Essays; articles; academic writing, exams.
Informal Letters:
Informal letter is something you like to write to
● your friends,
● class mates
● close colleagues,
● co-workers,
● may be to your family members in English.
You have to think well to write formal letters. Whereas Informal English is relaxed.
Informal Formal
Contractions No contractions.
Example: Didn’t, couldn’t Example: Did not; Could not.
Idioms (ெசா ெறாட க ) Example in No idioms should be used in Formal
Tamil:​ ​அவ க பிைய நீ வி டா . Letters.
Examples in English: அவ க பிைய நீ வி டா எ ​ றா ,
1. A blessing in disguise அவ த பி ேபா வி டா ; In Formal
(Something seen bad and Letters இ ப தா எ தேவ
unlucky at first, but results in
something good happening).
2. Kill two birds with one stone.
3. Can’t judge a book by its cover.
4. Face the music (face the reality)
5. Got out of hand.
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6. Missed the bus (Lost opportunity)

Phrasal Verbs No Phrasal verb (we use longer words
(A Verb that has a prepositions) that mean the same thing)
Example:
Find out, Discover,
go up (Price) go down Increase; decrease
look at Examine the matter
Go against Oppose
Put up Tolerate.
Start Commence
Ring up call
Imperatives In formal writing we do not use
(sentences that start with a verb) imperatives. They are too strong. We
● Don’t talk to me that way. like to use more polite sentences.
● Do your homework. (Parents,
teachers can use them).
● If your writing to your friends you
“You may send it at the earliest
can write “Send it soon”.
convenience”.

You often see words like “May” “Could”

used in Formal writing instead of “want”
Words like “very” really, totally could be Instead these words you can use
used “Strongly”.
● I strongly agree with you.
● We strongly recommend that you
send in your order for as soon as
possible.

The following can be used in informal The equivalent in formal English are
writing:
1. To top it all, On top of it 1. Furthermore, Moreover.

2. Anyway 2. Notwithstanding.
3. All right 3. Acceptable
4. You can call me if you need 4. Please do not hesitate to contact
anything. us.
5. So sorry 5. Apologize

Abbreviations, short form of a word. Don’t use abbreviations​.

1. Jan, Feb, T.V, 1. January, February Television,
2. ASAP 2. As soon as possible.
3. Net 3. Internet.
4. Kids 4. Children
5. Cheap 5. Inexpensive
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6. Smart chap 6. Intelligent man.

● Awesome, ● It is nice to see.
● Right? ● It is correct.
● Smart., ● Intelligent.
● Oh my God. ● I am surprised.
! Exclamation mark., Do not use !
Latin/ French words and Legal “Status Qua”​ ​அேத நிைல
terminologies are not used. only “Vice Versa”​ ே
​ ந மாறாக
common words “quid pro qua”.​ ப​ தி உபகார ெச வ

Key words/ phrases to be used in your writing​.

1. ஒ பி பா ப = In the same way; at the same time;
2. றனாக, இ தா , இ பி = On the contrary; However.
3. உதாரணமாக = For instance; to illustrate.
4. ஒ க ெதரிவி பத = From my perspective; from my point of view.
5. எ ல வர றைவ பா ேபா = Overall; All things considered.
6. நி ைசயமாக = Undoubtedly; of course;
7. றி ஒ ேபாகவி ைலெய றா You can use these words “in a way”; “to some
extent.”
8. காரண ெசா வத = owing to; due to
9. அதனா , அ த காரண தா = For this reason; Consequently.
10. த தலாக, = To start with;
11. இ அ ற = Following this.
12. ேம , பிற எ ன ெவ றா = Furthermore; Moreover.
13. ஆனா நிப தைன (To express condition) = Unless; provided that.
14. கமாக ெசா ல ேபானா = In summary; To sum up, in short.

Other tips:

1. Keep it (your writing) simple - done in simple language accurately is better than done
in complicated language inaccurately.

2. Check/ review your work.

You have to check because even in Microsoft word or in any auto correct mechanism the
spelling of some words could go wrong.
For Example
● Instead of “here” it could be wrongly written as “Hear” (and vice versa)
● Instead of “thought” it could be wrongly written as “taught”
● Instead of “wining” it could be wrongly written as “whining” (and vice versa)
● Instead of “here” it could be wrongly written as “Hear” (and vice versa)
Write less and check more;
Fewer words; higher accuracy.
Don’t’ bother about grammar while speaking; but not in writing.
Speaking = fluency; writing = accuracy.
Write and get it checked by others if possible.

3. Don’t write in WhatsApp language I want 2 go.

I cud do it. I wud like 2 go. B ker ful gud lak
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4. Don’t write Tamlish.

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Contractions: (Repeated from Lesson No. 89)

Do not use contractions in formal writing.
Informal Example sentences for Formal Example sentences for
(Contraction) Informal writing/ speaking (without Formal writing.
Contraction)
Don’t I don’t want to come (come Do not. I do not intend to attend.
for the meeting/ party etc)
Didn’t I didn’t like it Did not I did not consider it suitable
for me
Isn’t He isn’t coming Is not He is not participating
I’m I’m not interested I am I am not interested in it
Aren’t They aren’t coming for the are not They are not attending the
meeting party
Weren’t They weren’t selected. were not They weren’t selected in the
interview. (Interview is
assumed here)
Can’t I can’t do it. Cannot I cannot do it now. (“Now” is
added)
Couldn’t I couldn’t make it to the party. Could not I could not attend the party
Won’t I won’t get through the exam Will not I will not be able to pass in
this time. the examination this time
because I was unwell.
Wouldn’t I thought I wouldn’t get Would not I thought that I would not be
through the exam. able to pass in the
examination this time.
Shouldn’t You shouldn’t do it. Should not You should not do it.
Haven’t They haven’t done it have not They have not completed it.
Hasn’t It hasn’t come. Has not It has not yet reached.

Informal and formal words/ phrases.

Informal Formal Informal Formal

Find out Discover/ Go up Increase
ascertain
Point out indicate Go down/ come decrease
down
Put off Postpone/delay Need to Require
Leave out Omit Get in touch with Contact
Set up Establish Look at Examine
Make up Fabricate Stand for Represent
Bring about Cause Go against Oppose
Deal with Handle Put up Tolerate
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Seem Appear Start Commence

Think about Consider Ring up Call
Let Permit Give the go Authorize
ahead
Free Release Always Nevertheless
Also/ plus Moreover, But However,
furthermore
So Therefore Also (another Additionally, / in
meaning) addition.
ASAP As soon as I think In my opinion
possible
Anyway Notwithstanding All right /ok/ okay Acceptable
In the end Finally, Well/ on top of it -------
Lot of/ lots of Much/ many Tons of/ heaps of Large quantity.
Totally Completely/ Really/ very Definitely
strongly
Cell Cell phone Net Internet
Kids Children Really big Considerable
Right Correct Wrong Incorrect
Smart Intelligent Cheap Inexpensive
Smart chap Intelligent person You can call me if Please do not
you need hesitate to
anything contact me.
Hope to hear from I look forward to I just want to let I am writing to
you soon. hearing from you you know that inform you that
soon.