Grammar · Clauses, Connectors & Sentence Style
Formal vs Informal Grammar (Register)
The same idea can sound polite and careful, or relaxed and friendly. Learn when to use each style with the film My Fair Lady.
Grammar › Clauses, Connectors & Sentence Style › Formal vs Informal Grammar (Register)
The rule in one sentenceUse formal English with strangers, at work and in writing; use informal English with friends and family, where short forms and everyday words sound natural.
About the film
My Fair Lady is a 1964 musical set in London. Eliza Doolittle sells flowers in the street, and her English is very informal. Professor Henry Higgins is an expert in speech, and he thinks only careful, formal English is correct. He tells his friend, Colonel Pickering, that he can teach Eliza to speak like a lady.
What does it do?
English has different styles for different people. With your boss, a teacher or a stranger, you use formal English. With your friends, you use informal English. Neither style is wrong. The question is: who are you talking to?
The style changes more than words. Formal English uses full forms like I do not and polite questions like Could you…? Informal English uses short forms like I don’t and simple questions like Can you…?
Look at the first two tiles. Both people want flowers. The first speaker sounds polite and careful. The second sounds friendly and relaxed. You choose the style for the person in front of you.
Short forms are the clearest sign of style. Informal English uses them all the time:
A street seller might say: “Wanna buy a flower?” A shop assistant might say: “Would you like to buy some flowers?”
Same question, different style. This difference is at the centre of My Fair Lady.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
formal English — polite and careful
I would like to have speaking lessons.
I do not understand, Professor.
Formal English uses full forms: do not, cannot, it is.Could you tell me the time, please?
Could + please is polite with strangers.informal English — relaxed and friendly
I want to go home now.
I don’t get it.
Short forms and everyday verbs sound natural with friends.Want a cup of tea?
Informal questions sometimes drop words: (Do you) want…?When to use each one
formal English
informal English
Words that help
These words and phrases tell you the style straight away.
formal English → polite and careful
informal English → relaxed and friendly
Common mistakes
❌ (Asking for a job) Hi! I wanna work in your shop.
✅ Good morning. I would like to work in your shop.
Eliza wants a job in a flower shop. To ask for a job, use formal English.
❌ (In a letter) I can’t come tomorrow. See ya!
✅ I am sorry, but I cannot come tomorrow.
Formal letters use full forms and no slang.
❌ (To your best friend) Good evening. Would you care to watch a film?
✅ Hi! Do you want to watch a film?
With close friends, very formal English sounds cold or funny.
❌ Could you help me, mate? I would be very grateful.
✅ Could you help me, please? I would be very grateful.
Don’t mix styles. “Mate” is informal, but the rest is formal.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
Formal English often hides the person. Notices, rules and news reports like the passive, so the action comes first and the person disappears. Informal English says clearly who does what.
✅ Tickets must be bought before the show. (formal notice)
✅ You have to buy your tickets first. (informal, to a friend)
Practice: choose the right style
Eight questions. Read who is speaking. Choose the best answer. You get the answer, and why.
1. (To a professor) ___, Professor Higgins.
A professor is not a close friend → formal greeting.
2. (Text to a friend) Which is better?
Friends text in short, relaxed sentences.
3. (In a formal letter) I ___ come to the meeting.
Formal writing uses the full form.
4. (To your brother) Can you ___ me a hand?
“Give me a hand” is everyday, friendly English.
5. (Job interview) I have worked with ___ for five years.
In an interview, choose the formal word.
6. (News report) The Prime Minister ___ the city today.
News reports use formal verbs.
7. (To a friend) See you ___!
“See you later!” is the natural, informal goodbye.
8. (Hotel reception) Good evening, ___
Staff speak politely to guests → formal.
Your turn
Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
This film’s lesson
More lessons
Now hear it in the film
You have just learned formal and informal grammar with My Fair Lady. Now hear the whole film explained in English.
The full listening episode on the same film — a slow, clear movie review with the language used in real speech, and a free transcript.
AdvancedEpisode 63Watch on YouTube