Formal Versus Informal Language

In choosing whether to express something formally or informally, the main considerations are to be clear and precise. Therefore sometimes clarity and precision are achieved by using the informal (even colloquial) term and sometimes by using the formal term.

Instead of … Use …
Utilize Use
Methodology Method
Gauge Measure
Table 1: Cases where informal words are preferable.

We utilised the median of the age range because the mean is influenced by outliers.

Instead of … Use …
Went up Increased
Guess Estimate, or surmise (is possible)
Get Obtain
Table 2: Cases where formal words are preferable.

In general, if the informal word is imprecise (e.g. show), the precise formal expression (e.g. suggest or demonstrate) will make the reader’s life easier.