Register (linguistics)

A register, in linguistics, is the way people use different words, spelling or grammar—talk or write differently—to different people, in different situations. They might be more polite to strangers, for example. Or they will be more respectful to their boss at work.

Formality scale

This diagram is from Quirk et al. (1985), who use the term attitude rather than style or register.

Very formal	← FORMAL	Normal		INFORMAL →	Very informal

This chart shows the words or phrases that one would use depending on different registers:

Register	Phrase
Very informal	"Ey!" or "Yo!" or "Wassup!"
Informal	"Hey!" or "Hi!"
Formal	"Hello!"
Very formal	"Good morning/afternoon/evening!"

Related pages

• Diglossia