50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs
If you’re preparing for an exam like B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS, or TOEFL, understanding the difference between formal and informal vocabulary is absolutely essential. These exams often test not just your grammar and vocabulary range, but your ability to choose the right word for the right context, especially in writing and speaking. 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs
In everyday English, we often use casual, conversational nouns like job, drink, or mate. But in formal writing—such as essays, reports, or official letters—you’ll need to swap these out for more academic and precise alternatives like occupation, beverage, or companion.
Why should you learn both formal and informal language?
Switching between registers (formal and informal styles) demonstrates flexibility and sophistication in English. You might write an email to a friend in informal English, but your essay for the C1 Advanced must use formal structures and vocabulary. In speaking exams, you may also be asked to discuss both everyday topics and more serious or abstract issues, requiring a shift in tone.
This list includes 50 pairs of formal and informal nouns, complete with meanings and example sentences for each. Use it to enrich your writing and speaking vocabulary, avoid repetition by choosing more precise words, sound more natural in informal conversations and impress the examiner with your word choice and register control.
| Formal noun | Informal noun | Meaning | Example sentences |
| Residence | Home | A place where someone lives | The applicant must provide proof of residence./I left my keys at home! |
| Assistance | Help | Support or aid | We appreciate your assistance during the event/Can you help me carry this? |
| Commencement | Start | The beginning of something | The commencement of the project was delayed./ The race had a shaky start. |
| Occupation | Job | Work or profession | Please state your occupation on the form./I’ve got a new job in marketing! |
| Endeavour | Try/Attempt | An effort to do something | He made every endeavour to improve the situation./Give it a try! 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs |
| Beverage | Drink | A liquid for drinking | Refreshments and beverages will be served./Let’s grab a drink. |
| Sibling | Brother/Sister | Brother or sister | He has three siblings./My little sister is annoying. |
| Vehicle | Car | A means of transport | The vehicle is parked outside./Where did you park the car? |
| Assistance | Aid | Support | The charity provided medical assistance./We need some aid for this project. |
| Infant | Baby | A very young child | The infant was taken to the hospital./The baby is crying again. |
| Child | Kid | A young person | The child showed signs of improvement./That kid is so loud. |
| Deficiency | Lack | Absence or shortage | The plan has a serious deficiency./There’s a lack of options. |
| Insufficiency | Not enough | Inadequacy 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs | There was an insufficiency of evidence./We don’t have enough time. |
| Apology | Sorry | A statement of regret | Please accept my sincere apology./Sorry about that! |
| Demise | Death | The end of life | The demise of the company was unexpected./He died suddenly. |
| Decease | Passing | Dying | The cause of his decease was unknown./Her passing was peaceful. |
| Absence | Time off | Not being present | Your absence was noted in class./He took some time off work. |
| Departure | Leaving | The act of going away | His departure shocked everyone./I’m leaving tomorrow. |
| Acquaintance | Friend | Someone you know | I had a brief acquaintance with her./He’s a friend of mine. 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs |
| Colleague | Workmate | Someone you work with | My colleagues supported the decision./I had a laugh with my workmates. |
| Error | Mistake | Something wrong | A system error occurred./I made a mistake. |
| Equipment | Gear | Tools or devices | The laboratory equipment is expensive./Grab your gear and let’s go! |
| Adolescent | Teenager | Young person aged 13–19 | The adolescent was treated with care./That teenager is always on their phone. |
| Commotion | Fuss | Noise and disturbance | A commotion broke out in the hall./What’s all the fuss about? |
| Delicacy | Treat | Something special to eat | Caviar is considered a delicacy./This cake is such a treat! |
| Garment | Clothes | Items of clothing 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs | Please remove any outer garments./Grab your clothes, we’re late! |
| Luggage | Bags | Travel containers | Your luggage will be checked in./Don’t forget your bags! |
| Offspring | Children | Sons or daughters | The lioness protected her offspring./Her children are adorable. |
| Companion | Mate | A person you’re with | He brought his companion to the party./I’m going out with my mates. |
| Funds | Money | Currency or financial support | The funds have been allocated./I need some money. |
| Inquiry | Question | Request for information | Your inquiry is being processed./I’ve got a question. |
| Notification | Message | An official note or alert | You will receive a notification shortly./I got a message from her. |
| Occupant | Tenant | Person living in a property | The previous occupant left last week./The tenant moved out. |
| Permission | Green light | Consent or approval | You must obtain permission first./He gave me the green light. 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs |
| Remuneration | Pay | Salary or compensation | The job offers good remuneration./The pay isn’t bad. |
| Request | Ask | An act of asking for something | I submitted a formal request./ Getting the project finished by Friday is a big ask, but I’ll do my best. |
| Termination | Sack | The end of something (esp. job) | His contract faced termination./He got the sack. |
| Opinion | View | What someone thinks | I respect your opinion./That’s just my view. |
| Illness | Bug | Sickness | He was treated for a serious illness./I’ve caught a bug. |
| Problem | Hitch | Issue or obstacle | There was a problem with the system./We hit a small hitch. |
| Assistance | Backup | Help or support 50 Formal and Informal Noun Pairs | Military assistance was provided./We need some backup! |
| Residence | Pad | Home or living place | He owns a luxurious residence./Come over to my pad. |
| Emotions | Feelings | Internal states | He struggled to express his emotions./I’ve got mixed feelings. |
| Affection | Crush | Romantic liking | He showed great affection./I’ve got a crush on her. |
| Reprimand | Telling-off | A warning or scolding | He received a written reprimand./Mum gave me a telling-off. |
| Footwear | Shoes | What you wear on your feet | Proper footwear is required./Where are my shoes? |
| Celebration | Bash | A party or joyful event | A celebration was held in his honour./We’re throwing a bash. |
| Information | Info | Knowledge or details | Please provide the required information./Got any info about that? |
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