Control register so that tone, vocabulary and sentence style match the formality the audience and purpose demand

What this dot point is asking

Register is the level of formality your writing uses, and Situational Writing rewards choosing the right level for the audience and keeping it steady. You need to recognise the markers of formal and informal English, decide which suits the reader, and avoid the common slip of mixing the two in one text. This is a language-mark skill: the grammar can be perfect and the response still loses marks if a formal letter sounds chatty or a friendly note sounds cold and stiff.

The answer

What changes between registers

Register is not one switch but several working together:

• Vocabulary. Formal English prefers precise, full words ("require", "assistance", "however"); informal English uses everyday words and slang ("need", "help", "but").
• Contractions. Informal writing uses "I'm", "don't", "can't"; formal writing usually spells them out: "I am", "do not", "cannot".
• Sentence style. Formal writing tends to use complete, sometimes longer sentences; informal writing uses short, relaxed ones and may break grammar rules for effect.
• Tone and distance. Formal English is polite and a little impersonal; informal English is warm and personal, often addressing the reader directly.

Choosing the level for your audience

Think of register as a sliding scale, not just two boxes. A close friend sits at the informal end; a stranger in authority (a principal, a company, an official) sits at the formal end. In between is a semi-formal level for people you know but should still respect, such as a teacher or a club leader: polite and clear, but not stiff. Match the level to the relationship, and when unsure, lean slightly more formal, since over-formality rarely offends but excessive casualness can.

Keeping the tone consistent

The most common register error is drift: starting formally and slipping into casual phrasing partway through, or the reverse. A formal letter that opens "Dear Sir" should not later say "anyway, it was a total nightmare". Before you write, set the level; as you draft, listen for any word that belongs to a different register and replace it. Consistency is what makes a text sound controlled and earns the language mark.

Formality is not stiffness

Formal does not mean cold, complicated or full of long words. Good formal English is clear and natural: "I am writing to ask whether" beats "I hereby wish to make an enquiry pertaining to". Aim for polite and precise, not pompous. Equally, informal does not mean careless: even a friendly message in the exam must use standard English spelling and grammar, because the examiner is still marking accuracy.

Examples in context

Example 1. The same request at three levels. Asking to borrow notes: to a close friend, "Hey, can I grab your notes from today?" is fine. To a classmate you do not know well, "Hi, would you mind if I borrowed your notes from today's lesson?" raises it to semi-formal. To a teacher, "Dear Mr Goh, would it be possible to have a copy of today's lesson notes, as I was absent?" is formal and polite. The information is identical; only the register changes, and choosing the wrong level for the reader is the error these tasks test.

Example 2. Formality without stiffness. A formal letter of complaint can be firm and clear without becoming pompous. "I am disappointed that the service fell short of what was promised, and I would appreciate a prompt resolution" is properly formal: polite, complete sentences, no slang, but also natural and readable. Compare the over-stiff "I hereby wish to register my profound dissatisfaction pursuant to the aforementioned service", which is harder to read and sounds forced. Good formal English is the first version.

Try this

Q1. List three features that mark a sentence as formal. [3 marks]

• Cue. Full forms instead of contractions ("I am" not "I'm"), precise rather than slangy vocabulary ("require" not "want"), and complete, polite sentences with an impersonal, measured tone.

Q2. Explain why mixing registers in one letter is a problem. [2 marks]

• Cue. It breaks the consistency the reader expects, so the text sounds uncontrolled; a formal letter that slips into casual phrasing (or the reverse) signals that the writer cannot sustain a level, which costs the language mark.

Q3. Rewrite "Thanks loads for the invite, I'll def be there!" for a formal reply to a wedding invitation. [2 marks]

• Cue. Something like: "Thank you very much for the kind invitation. I am delighted to accept and look forward to attending." Full forms, no slang or abbreviations, polite and complete sentences.