Collocations in formal and informal English

By: Collocations.org Admin
Date: 5 April 2026

Register and word choice

English is not one single style of language — it is a range of registers that shift depending on the situation, the audience, and the purpose of communication. What is appropriate in a casual conversation with a friend may be completely wrong in a job interview or a formal report. Collocations are sensitive to register in exactly the same way. Some word combinations belong firmly in informal speech, others are reserved for formal writing, and some work across both.

Developing register awareness — understanding which collocations belong where — is a sign of advanced language competence. It allows you to adjust your language appropriately in different contexts rather than defaulting to a single style in every situation.

Formal collocations

Formal collocations tend to use more precise, often Latinate vocabulary, and they appear most frequently in academic writing, legal documents, official correspondence, and formal speeches. Some examples:

• Commence proceedings (vs start the process)
• Submit a formal complaint (vs complain officially)
• Pursuant to your request (vs as you asked)
• In accordance with regulations (vs following the rules)
• Reach a unanimous decision (vs all agree)
• Incur a penalty (vs get a fine)

Informal collocations

Informal collocations are more direct, energetic, and often idiomatic. They are typical of spoken conversation, text messages, casual emails, and social media:

• Hang out with friends (vs socialise with acquaintances)
• Give it a go (vs attempt it)
• Get a move on (vs proceed more quickly)
• Catch someone's drift (vs understand someone's meaning)
• Let something slide (vs overlook an issue)
• Have a blast (vs enjoy oneself greatly)

Neutral collocations

Many collocations are neutral in register and work comfortably across both formal and informal contexts. These are often the safest choices when you are unsure of the appropriate level of formality:

• Make a decision, ask a question, give an example
• Take responsibility, raise a concern, provide information
• Spend time, save money, reach an agreement

When register mismatch causes problems

Using a collocation in the wrong register is a subtle but noticeable error. Writing "we're gonna commence the meeting" mixes informal grammar with a formal verb awkwardly. Telling your friends that you "wish to request their presence at a gathering" sounds stiff and odd. Both errors come from mixing collocations that belong to different registers.

Developing register sensitivity

The best way to develop a feel for register is to read and listen across a wide range of text types — novels, news articles, academic papers, podcasts, and everyday conversation. Each source will expose you to different collocation patterns and help you internalise which combinations belong in which contexts. Over time, switching registers will feel natural and automatic, just as it does for native speakers.