What is an Informal Word?

S2-SA4-0028

Grade Level:

Class 2

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

An informal word is a word or phrase we use in casual, everyday conversations with people we know well, like friends and family. It's relaxed and friendly, not formal or very proper. Think of it as 'chatty' language.

Simple Example

Quick Example

When you talk to your best friend, you might say, 'Hey, what's up?' instead of 'Hello, how are you today?' 'What's up?' is an informal way to greet someone. It's okay with friends, but not with your principal.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's imagine you want to tell your friend that you're going to eat some food.

Step 1: Think of a formal way to say it. You might say, 'I am going to consume my meal now.' This sounds very proper.
---Step 2: Now, think of how you would actually say it to your friend. You would probably say something like, 'I'm gonna grab some grub!' or 'I'm off to eat some yummy food!'
---Step 3: Compare the two. 'I am going to consume my meal now' is formal. 'I'm gonna grab some grub!' or 'I'm off to eat some yummy food!' are informal.

Answer: 'Grub' is an informal word for food.

Why It Matters

Understanding informal words helps you communicate naturally and connect better with people in daily life. Writers in literature use them to make characters sound real, and journalists use them in interviews to capture natural speech. It's important for anyone who wants to speak and write effectively.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Using informal words in formal settings like school essays or job applications. | CORRECTION: Always use formal language when writing for academic or professional purposes.

MISTAKE: Thinking all short forms are informal words. | CORRECTION: While many short forms are informal (like 'gonna' for 'going to'), some are standard abbreviations (like 'Mr.' for 'Mister') and can be used formally.

MISTAKE: Believing informal words are 'bad' English. | CORRECTION: Informal words are perfectly fine and natural in the right context; they simply suit casual communication, not formal situations.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Which of these is an informal way to say 'Hello'? A) Greetings B) Hi C) Good day | ANSWER: B) Hi

QUESTION: Your friend asks you about your new bicycle. Which response uses an informal word? A) 'It is a magnificent mode of transport.' B) 'It's a really cool ride!' C) 'The bicycle is quite functional.' | ANSWER: B) 'It's a really cool ride!' ('Cool' and 'ride' for bicycle are informal)

QUESTION: Identify the informal word in the sentence: 'I'm feeling a bit sleepy, so I'm gonna hit the hay early tonight.' | ANSWER: 'Gonna' (for 'going to') and 'hit the hay' (for 'go to bed') are informal.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these sentences uses an informal word?

The student completed the assignment diligently.

The cricket match was absolutely fantastic!

Please submit your project by tomorrow.

The scientist conducted an experiment.

The Correct Answer Is:

Option B uses 'fantastic!', which is a more casual and expressive word. The other options use formal or neutral language suitable for various contexts.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

Think about how you chat with your friends on WhatsApp or Instagram. You probably use emojis, short forms like 'LOL' (Laughing Out Loud), and words like 'bro' or 'yaar'. This is a perfect example of using informal language in your daily digital communication with friends and family.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

CASUAL: relaxed and not formal | FORMAL: proper and official | SLANG: very informal words often used by specific groups | EVERYDAY: common and used daily

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you know about informal words, you can learn about 'Formal Words'. This will help you understand the difference between talking to your friends and writing a letter to your teacher, making your English even better!