Register and Formality: Worksheets and Lessons
54 worksheets, 3 lessons and 2 vocabulary decks · Word power
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Register & formality worksheets
54 printable worksheets with answer keys; the 24 most used, easiest level first.
Register & formality lessons
3 ready lessons for the four skills: teach on the board, set online or print.
Register & formality vocabulary
2 word decks with meanings, examples and pronunciation: flip, quiz, print as flashcards or play as a game.
About Register & formality
Register is the choice of language that fits the situation, the reader and the purpose. Formal English tends to use longer Latin-based words, passive structures and full forms (We regret to inform you that the event has been canceled), while informal English prefers phrasal verbs, contractions and direct address (Sorry, but it's been called off).
Register is taught from B1, when learners start writing emails and letters, and becomes a key assessment point at B2–C2 in Cambridge and IELTS writing. Typical problems are mixed register (Dear Sir, I wanna complain), overly formal speech, and not knowing informal equivalents such as get instead of obtain.
This page brings together printable register worksheets with answer keys, which you can print as PDF or set online via a class link, alongside vocabulary decks of formal and informal equivalents.
Teaching tips: Register & formality
- Give learners the same message in formal and informal versions and ask them to identify every difference.
- Watch for mixed register in emails, such as a formal opening followed by slang; ask learners to check the whole text for consistency.
- Build a two-column list of equivalents (need → require, find out → discover, but → however) and keep adding to it.
- Role-play the same request to a friend, a teacher and a manager to practice spoken register shifts.
Questions teachers ask
Are phrasal verbs always informal?
No. Many are neutral, such as set up and carry out, but single-word Latin-based equivalents such as establish and conduct are often preferred in formal writing.
Are contractions acceptable in formal writing?
They are generally avoided in academic essays and formal letters, but are normal in informal emails and many semi-formal contexts.
How is register assessed in Cambridge exams?
In B2 First and above, register is judged within the Communicative Achievement criterion, which looks at whether the style suits the task and the target reader.