English Writing

Formal and informal speech and writing

Informal use of object forms

In informal English, we use object forms not only as the objects of verbs and prepositions, but also in most other cases where the words do not come before the verbs as their subjects. Object forms are common, for example in one-word answers and after be.

• ‘Who said that?’ ‘(It was) him.’ (Informal)
• ‘Who’s that?’ ‘It’s me.’ (Informal)

In a more formal style, we often use subject form + verb.

• ‘Who said that?’ ‘He did.’

It is possible to use a subject form after be, but this is extremely formal, and is usually considered over-correct.

• It is I (Very formal)
• It is me. (Informal)
• It is he. (Very formal)
• It is him. (Informal)

Whom in questions

Whom is not often used in informal English. We prefer to use who as an object, especially in questions.

• Who did they arrest?
• Who did you go with?

We use whom in a more formal style; and we must use whom after a preposition.

• Whom did they arrest? (Formal)
• With whom did you go? (Very formal)

Ellipsis

Ellipsis (leaving out words) is more common in informal language.

Compare:

• Have you seen Mr John? (Formal)
• Seen John? (Informal)
• We think that it is possible. (Formal)
• We think it’s possible. (Informal)

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