{"id":1506,"date":"2026-07-31T08:53:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T03:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/?p=1506"},"modified":"2026-08-14T17:19:01","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:49:01","slug":"formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-good-research-paper\/\">Research papers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-a-dissertation-best-practices\/\">dissertations<\/a> generally require formal language, but small exceptions exist depending on the section, discipline, and journal style guide.<\/li>\r\n<li>Contractions, colloquialisms, first-person overuse, and casual transitions are the most common informal elements flagged during peer review.<\/li>\r\n<li>Some informal elements, such as limited first-person pronouns, are now accepted in many journals, especially in the methods and discussion sections.<\/li>\r\n<li>A pre-submission language check from a service like Editage&#8217;s English editing service can confirm whether your tone matches your target journal&#8217;s expectations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>\u00a0<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#What_Counts_as_Formal_Language_in_a_Research_Paper\" >What Counts as Formal Language in a Research Paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Why_Does_Formality_Matter_in_Academic_Writing\" >Why Does Formality Matter in Academic Writing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Common_Informal_Elements_and_Their_Formal_Alternatives\" >Common Informal Elements and Their Formal Alternatives<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Contractions\" >Contractions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Colloquialisms_and_Idioms\" >Colloquialisms and Idioms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Casual_Transitions_and_Fillers\" >Casual Transitions and Fillers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#How_Can_You_Identify_Informal_Language_in_Your_Draft\" >How Can You Identify Informal Language in Your Draft?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Is_It_Acceptable_to_Use_%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%9D_or_%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%9D_in_a_Research_Paper\" >Is It Acceptable to Use \u201cI\u201d or \u201cWe\u201d in a Research Paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Formality_Expectations_by_Discipline\" >Formality Expectations by Discipline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Common_Mistakes_When_Balancing_Formal_and_Informal_Tone\" >Common Mistakes When Balancing Formal and Informal Tone<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#1_Overcorrecting_into_overly_stiff_dense_prose\" >1. Overcorrecting into overly stiff, dense prose<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#2_Mixing_tone_inconsistently_across_sections\" >2. Mixing tone inconsistently across sections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#3_Using_discipline_jargon_incorrectly_to_sound_more_formal\" >3. Using discipline jargon incorrectly to sound more formal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#4_Removing_all_hedging_language\" >4. Removing all hedging language<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Are_Contractions_Ever_Acceptable_in_Academic_Writing\" >Are Contractions Ever Acceptable in Academic Writing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#When_Should_You_Get_Professional_Help_with_Tone_and_Formality\" >When Should You Get Professional Help with Tone and Formality?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Quick_Recap_Formal_vs_Informal_Choices\" >Quick Recap: Formal vs. Informal Choices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Can_I_use_contractions_like_%E2%80%9Cdont%E2%80%9D_in_a_research_paper\" >Can I use contractions like \u201cdon&#8217;t\u201d in a research paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Is_it_acceptable_to_write_%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%9D_in_a_scientific_paper\" >Is it acceptable to write \u201cI\u201d in a scientific paper?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#What_are_examples_of_informal_words_to_avoid_in_academic_writing\" >What are examples of informal words to avoid in academic writing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#How_formal_should_the_language_be_in_a_thesis_or_dissertation\" >How formal should the language be in a thesis or dissertation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Do_journal_style_guides_specify_tone_and_formality_requirements\" >Do journal style guides specify tone and formality requirements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Is_passive_voice_more_formal_than_active_voice_in_research_papers\" >Is passive voice more formal than active voice in research papers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#What_is_the_difference_between_formal_and_informal_language_in_academic_writing\" >What is the difference between formal and informal language in academic writing?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#Can_a_professional_editor_fix_tone_and_formality_issues_before_journal_submission\" >Can a professional editor fix tone and formality issues before journal submission?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Counts_as_Formal_Language_in_a_Research_Paper\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602687\"><\/a><strong>What Counts as Formal Language in a Research Paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Formal language in a research paper means precise word choice, objective tone, complete sentences, and the absence of casual expressions. It signals credibility and keeps the focus on evidence rather than the writer&#8217;s personality.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Typical features of formal academic language include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Full words instead of contractions, such as \u201cdo not\u201d instead of \u201cdon&#8217;t.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li>Precise, discipline-specific terminology instead of vague or everyday words.<\/li>\r\n<li>Objective phrasing that centers on data and findings rather than personal opinion.<\/li>\r\n<li>Consistent verb tense and a formal, measured tone throughout each section.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Does_Formality_Matter_in_Academic_Writing\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602688\"><\/a><strong>Why Does Formality Matter in Academic Writing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Formality matters because it establishes credibility and helps readers trust the objectivity of the research. Reviewers often equate a casual tone with a lack of rigor, even when the underlying data are sound.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Journals also use formal tone to maintain a consistent voice across issues, since a paper is read by an international, multidisciplinary audience that may not recognize regional slang or idioms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Formal language also supports precision: casual words like \u201ca lot\u201d or \u201cstuff\u201d are vague, while formal alternatives such as \u201csubstantial\u201d or \u201cmaterials\u201d convey exact meaning.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Informal_Elements_and_Their_Formal_Alternatives\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602689\"><\/a><strong>Common Informal Elements and Their Formal Alternatives<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The table below lists frequent informal patterns found in early drafts, along with the formal alternative typically expected in a journal submission.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Informal Element<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Formal Alternative<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Example Use<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>don&#8217;t, can&#8217;t, won&#8217;t<\/td>\r\n<td>do not, cannot, will not<\/td>\r\n<td>The results do not support the hypothesis.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>a lot of, lots of<\/td>\r\n<td>substantial, numerous<\/td>\r\n<td>The study reviewed numerous case reports.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>kind of, sort of<\/td>\r\n<td>somewhat, relatively<\/td>\r\n<td>The effect was relatively small.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>get\/got results<\/td>\r\n<td>obtain\/obtained results<\/td>\r\n<td>We obtained results consistent with prior work.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>huge, big<\/td>\r\n<td>considerable, significant<\/td>\r\n<td>The intervention produced a significant change.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>stuff, things<\/td>\r\n<td>materials, factors, elements<\/td>\r\n<td>Several factors influenced the outcome.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>basically, obviously<\/td>\r\n<td>(omit or restate directly)<\/td>\r\n<td>The mechanism remains unclear.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contractions\"><\/span><strong>Contractions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Contractions such as \u201cisn&#8217;t,\u201d \u201cdoesn&#8217;t,\u201d and \u201cwe&#8217;ve\u201d are almost universally avoided in formal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-academic-writing-definition-types-examples-characteristics\/\">academic writing<\/a>, even though they are common in spoken English and informal emails.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Example: \u201cThe data isn&#8217;t sufficient to confirm this\u201d becomes \u201cThe data are not sufficient to confirm this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Colloquialisms_and_Idioms\"><\/span><strong>Colloquialisms and Idioms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Colloquial expressions and idioms can confuse an international readership and read as imprecise. Direct, literal phrasing is safer for a global audience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Example: \u201cThe results were all over the place\u201d becomes \u201cThe results varied considerably across sites.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Casual_Transitions_and_Fillers\"><\/span><strong>Casual Transitions and Fillers<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Words like \u201cso,\u201d \u201canyway,\u201d and \u201cwell\u201d at the start of a sentence read as conversational filler. Formal transitions such as \u201ctherefore,\u201d \u201cconsequently,\u201d or \u201cin contrast\u201d are preferred.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Can_You_Identify_Informal_Language_in_Your_Draft\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602690\"><\/a><strong>How Can You Identify Informal Language in Your Draft?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Search for apostrophes to catch contractions, then scan for vague quantity words such as \u201ca lot\u201d or \u201cstuff.\u201d These two checks alone catch most informal language in a typical draft.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ol type=\"1\">\r\n<li>Search your document for apostrophes to locate contractions.<\/li>\r\n<li>Highlight vague words such as \u201cstuff,\u201d \u201cthing,\u201d \u201ca lot,\u201d and \u201chuge.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li>Check paragraph openers for casual fillers like \u201cso\u201d or \u201cwell.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li>Review idioms or metaphors that may not translate for an international audience.<\/li>\r\n<li>Confirm the target journal&#8217;s style guide for any specific tone requirements.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A writer immersed in a draft can miss casual phrasing that has become habitual. A professional <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/english-editing\">English editing service<\/a> such as Editage&#8217;s reviews tone and formality alongside grammar, ensuring the register matches academic expectations before submission.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_It_Acceptable_to_Use_%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%9D_or_%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%9D_in_a_Research_Paper\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602691\"><\/a><strong>Is It Acceptable to Use \u201cI\u201d or \u201cWe\u201d in a Research Paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Yes, most journals now accept first-person pronouns to describe actions the research team performed. Overuse, however, can shift focus away from the data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>General guidance by section:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Methods: \u201cwe\u201d is widely accepted, for example \u201cwe collected samples from 12 sites.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li>Results: minimal first-person use; let data and figures lead.<\/li>\r\n<li>Discussion: \u201cwe\u201d is acceptable for interpretation, for example \u201cwe interpret this pattern as evidence of.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<li>Introduction: first-person use is less common and often reserved for stating the study&#8217;s aim.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Formality_Expectations_by_Discipline\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602692\"><\/a><strong>Formality Expectations by Discipline<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Tone conventions differ slightly across fields. The table below summarizes typical expectations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Discipline<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>First-Person Use<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Tone Notes<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Life sciences<\/td>\r\n<td>Common in methods<\/td>\r\n<td>Objective, data-first tone; minimal <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-is-hedging-language-meaning-examples-and-importance\/\">hedging<\/a>.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Social sciences<\/td>\r\n<td>Common throughout<\/td>\r\n<td>Some narrative voice accepted in qualitative work.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Engineering<\/td>\r\n<td>Limited<\/td>\r\n<td>Highly technical, precise, and procedural tone.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Humanities<\/td>\r\n<td>Frequent<\/td>\r\n<td>More interpretive voice; still formal register.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_When_Balancing_Formal_and_Informal_Tone\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602693\"><\/a><strong>Common Mistakes When Balancing Formal and Informal Tone<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Overcorrecting_into_overly_stiff_dense_prose\"><\/span>1. Overcorrecting into overly stiff, dense prose<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Approach<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What not to do<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;The utilization of said methodology facilitated the ascertainment of statistically significant outcomes.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What to do<\/td>\r\n<td>\u00a0<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;This method produced statistically significant results.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Mixing_tone_inconsistently_across_sections\"><\/span>2. Mixing tone inconsistently across sections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Approach<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What not to do<\/td>\r\n<td>Introduction: &#8220;This study examines the relationship between diet and cognitive function.&#8221; Discussion: &#8220;So basically, our results kind of back up what other studies found.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What to do<\/td>\r\n<td>Introduction: &#8220;This study examines the relationship between diet and cognitive function.&#8221; Discussion: &#8220;These results are consistent with findings reported in prior studies.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Using_discipline_jargon_incorrectly_to_sound_more_formal\"><\/span>3. Using discipline jargon incorrectly to sound more formal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Approach<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What not to do<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;The variables demonstrated a synergistic paradigm shift in outcome metrics.&#8221; (jargon used loosely, without precise meaning)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What to do<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;The two variables interacted to produce a larger combined effect than either alone.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Removing_all_hedging_language\"><\/span>4. Removing all hedging language<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Approach<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Example<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What not to do<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;This treatment cures the condition in patients.&#8221; (overstates certainty)<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>What to do<\/td>\r\n<td>&#8220;This treatment appears to improve outcomes in most patients studied.&#8221;<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Contractions_Ever_Acceptable_in_Academic_Writing\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602694\"><\/a><strong>Are Contractions Ever Acceptable in Academic Writing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Rarely. Contractions are typically avoided in the main text of a research paper, though journals allow them in direct quotations, interview transcripts, or informal supplementary material.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>When in doubt, spell out the full form. This keeps the tone consistent and avoids any risk of appearing too casual to reviewers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_You_Get_Professional_Help_with_Tone_and_Formality\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602695\"><\/a><strong>When Should You Get Professional Help with Tone and Formality?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Writers publishing in a second language, or submitting to a highly selective journal, often benefit from a tone-focused language review. An editor trained in academic conventions can flag casual phrasing that a writer no longer notices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Editage&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/english-editing\">English editing service<\/a> reviews manuscripts for formality, clarity, and consistency with target journal conventions, alongside standard grammar and structure checks.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Recap_Formal_vs_Informal_Choices\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602696\"><\/a><strong>Quick Recap: Formal vs. Informal Choices<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td><strong>Situation<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td><strong>Recommended Choice<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Referring to your own actions<\/td>\r\n<td>Use \u201cwe\u201d or \u201cI\u201d in moderation, mainly in methods and discussion.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Describing quantity or size<\/td>\r\n<td>Use precise terms like \u201csubstantial\u201d instead of \u201ca lot.\u201d<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Writing contractions<\/td>\r\n<td>Spell out full forms in the main text.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>Using idioms or slang<\/td>\r\n<td>Replace with literal, direct phrasing.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Before final submission, many authors run their manuscript through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/english-editing\">Editage&#8217;s English editing service<\/a> to confirm that tone, formality, and terminology align with the expectations of their target journal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><a id=\"_Toc235602697\"><\/a><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_I_use_contractions_like_%E2%80%9Cdont%E2%80%9D_in_a_research_paper\"><\/span><strong>Can I use contractions like \u201cdon&#8217;t\u201d in a research paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>No, contractions are generally avoided in the main text of a research paper and should be spelled out in full, such as \u201cdo not\u201d instead of \u201cdon&#8217;t.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_acceptable_to_write_%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%9D_in_a_scientific_paper\"><\/span><strong>Is it acceptable to write \u201cI\u201d in a scientific paper?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Yes, many journals now accept \u201cI\u201d or \u201cwe\u201d in moderation, particularly in the methods and discussion sections, though usage norms vary by journal and discipline.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_examples_of_informal_words_to_avoid_in_academic_writing\"><\/span><strong>What are examples of informal words to avoid in academic writing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Common examples include \u201ca lot,\u201d \u201cstuff,\u201d \u201ckind of,\u201d \u201chuge,\u201d and \u201cbasically,\u201d which should be replaced with precise, formal alternatives such as \u201csubstantial\u201d or \u201cconsiderable.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_formal_should_the_language_be_in_a_thesis_or_dissertation\"><\/span><strong>How formal should the language be in a thesis or dissertation?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>A thesis or dissertation typically requires a fully formal register throughout, since it is evaluated by a committee and often archived as a permanent academic record.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_journal_style_guides_specify_tone_and_formality_requirements\"><\/span><strong>Do journal style guides specify tone and formality requirements?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Yes, most journals publish an author guide that specifies tone expectations, including whether first-person pronouns and contractions are acceptable.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_passive_voice_more_formal_than_active_voice_in_research_papers\"><\/span><strong>Is passive voice more formal than active voice in research papers?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not necessarily; formality depends more on word choice and structure than on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/active-vs-passive-voice-academic-writing\/\">passive versus active voice<\/a>, and many journals now prefer active voice for clarity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_formal_and_informal_language_in_academic_writing\"><\/span><strong>What is the difference between formal and informal language in academic writing?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Formal language uses precise, objective terms and complete word forms, while informal language includes contractions, vague quantifiers, and conversational expressions that reduce precision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_professional_editor_fix_tone_and_formality_issues_before_journal_submission\"><\/span><strong>Can a professional editor fix tone and formality issues before journal submission?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Yes, a professional editing service can review a manuscript specifically for tone, formality, and consistency with a target journal&#8217;s style guide, in addition to grammar and clarity checks.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Key Takeaways: Research papers and dissertations generally require formal language, but small exceptions exist depending on the section, discipline, and journal style guide. Contractions, colloquialisms, first-person overuse, and casual transitions are the most common informal elements flagged during peer review. Some informal elements, such as limited first-person pronouns, are now accepted in many journals, especially [&hellip;]","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1512,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_ayudawp_aiss_exclude":false,"_ayudawp_aiss_summary":"Formal language also supports precision: casual words like \u201ca lot\u201d or \u201cstuff\u201d are vague, while formal alternatives such as \u201csubstantial\u201d or \u201cmaterials\u201d convey exact meaning. What is the difference between formal and informal language in academic writing?. Formal language uses precise, objective terms and complete word forms, while informal language includes contractions, vague quantifiers, and conversational expressions that reduce precision.","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_provider":"manual","_ayudawp_aiss_summary_hash":"4992fcde5171837cd6046e6b8b8814036ba864f0"},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Key Takeaways: Research papers and dissertations generally require formal language, but small exceptions exist depending on the section, discipline, and journal style guide. Contractions, colloquialisms, first-person overuse, and casual transitions are the most common informal elements flagged during peer review. Some informal elements, such as limited first-person pronouns, are now accepted in many journals, especially [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/formal-vs-informal-language.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"576\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Marisha Rodrigues\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Marisha Rodrigues\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Marisha Rodrigues\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/60d7626072744221b2260692486b6ff1\"},\"headline\":\"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\"},\"wordCount\":1461,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Academic Writing\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\",\"name\":\"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\",\"description\":\"Get insightful educational articles from the world of academia for researchers, students and authors. Visit Editage Blog for helpful content and tips on getting published and writing articles that are up to international journal publication standards. Click here to find out more!\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/editage-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/editage-logo.png\",\"width\":394,\"height\":82,\"caption\":\"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/60d7626072744221b2260692486b6ff1\",\"name\":\"Marisha Rodrigues\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fdb8ce7f366f83f27047a1644a5ff30?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fdb8ce7f366f83f27047a1644a5ff30?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Marisha Rodrigues\"},\"description\":\"A BELS-certified editor with 15+ years of experience in academic publishing and author education\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/author\/marishar\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","og_description":"Key Takeaways: Research papers and dissertations generally require formal language, but small exceptions exist depending on the section, discipline, and journal style guide. Contractions, colloquialisms, first-person overuse, and casual transitions are the most common informal elements flagged during peer review. Some informal elements, such as limited first-person pronouns, are now accepted in many journals, especially [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/","og_site_name":"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","article_published_time":"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00","og_image":[{"width":768,"height":576,"url":"http:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/formal-vs-informal-language.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Marisha Rodrigues","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Marisha Rodrigues","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/"},"author":{"name":"Marisha Rodrigues","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/60d7626072744221b2260692486b6ff1"},"headline":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples","datePublished":"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/"},"wordCount":1461,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization"},"articleSection":["Academic Writing"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/","url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/","name":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples - Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-31T03:23:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-14T11:49:01+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/formal-vs-informal-language-in-academic-writing-meaning-rules-examples\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Formal vs. Informal Language in Academic Writing: Meaning, Rules, Examples"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/","name":"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","description":"Get insightful educational articles from the world of academia for researchers, students and authors. Visit Editage Blog for helpful content and tips on getting published and writing articles that are up to international journal publication standards. Click here to find out more!","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/editage-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/editage-logo.png","width":394,"height":82,"caption":"Educational Articles For Researchers, Students And Authors - Editage Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/60d7626072744221b2260692486b6ff1","name":"Marisha Rodrigues","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fdb8ce7f366f83f27047a1644a5ff30?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/3fdb8ce7f366f83f27047a1644a5ff30?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Marisha Rodrigues"},"description":"A BELS-certified editor with 15+ years of experience in academic publishing and author education","url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/author\/marishar\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/formal-vs-informal-language.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1506"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1506"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2079,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1506\/revisions\/2079"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}