What Does "informally" Mean?
- What it expresses: It is an adverb of manner that describes actions performed in a relaxed, unofficial, or non-traditional way. It can also indicate a lack of legal or institutional recognition.
- What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It primarily modifies verbs (e.g., "met informally") and adjectives (e.g., "informally blacklisted"). Occasionally, it can modify a whole clause to set the tone of the statement.
- Register: While the concept is about being casual, the word itself is neutral to formal. It is frequently used in journalism, legal contexts, and academic writing to distinguish between official and unofficial processes.
How to Use It
- Typical sentence positions: It is most natural in the mid-position (after the auxiliary verb or before the main verb) or the final position.
- What it modifies: When it follows a verb, it describes the nature of the interaction (e.g., "they spoke informally"). When used before an adjective or past participle, it clarifies the status of a condition (e.g., "informally employed").
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis (e.g., "Informally, we agreed..."). It works well with negation ("not even informally") and can be used in questions to clarify the nature of an agreement.
- What sounds unnatural: Placing it between a verb and its direct object can sometimes interrupt the flow (e.g., "He signed informally the paper" is incorrect; use "He signed the paper informally").
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from informally on Ludwig.guru.
"They meet fellow Old Order members at church and while working, and much information is spread informally." — The Economist
"Politicising the Hugos to such a degree certainly doesn't help the nominees themselves, because authors on his slate risk being informally blacklisted by the rest of the community." — The Guardian
"The issue of Britain's membership of the EU was not on the official agenda, but it was expected to be raised informally." — The Guardian
"In the Washington offices of the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA), execs were encouraged to play a game that was informally called Stump the Napster – in other words, try to find at least one of their new singles that wasn't being shared online." — The Guardian
"In Africa 70% of people are informally employed," he says." — The Guardian
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/informally
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| unofficially |
Closest synonym; used when something is not authorized or confirmed by an authority. |
| off the record |
Idiomatic; specifically refers to communication not intended for public disclosure. |
| casually |
Focuses on a relaxed or indifferent manner rather than a lack of official status. |
| unceremoniously |
Often carries a negative connotation of being abrupt or lacking proper respect. |
| word of mouth |
Used specifically for the informal spread of information through speech. |
Common Mistakes
- Wrong Form: Learners often use the adjective 'informal' in sentence-initial positions where the adverbial form 'informally' is required to modify the clause. For example, "Informal, we decided to meet" should be "Informally, we decided to meet."
- Register Mismatch: Using "informally" in a context that requires "casual" (e.g., "He dressed informally for the party" is correct, but "He dressed informally" might sound like he lacks a contract in a different context).
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| informally |
Manner Adverb |
Neutral / Formal |
Mid or Final |
FAQs
Where in a sentence should informally appear?
The adverb informally is most flexible in the mid-position before a main verb or after an auxiliary verb. It also appears frequently in the final position to emphasize the manner of the action.
What is the difference between informally and unofficially?
While very similar, unofficially specifically implies a lack of authorization or formal sanction from an institution. In contrast, informally focuses more on the relaxed, non-ceremonious, or casual nature of the behavior or arrangement.
Can I use the word informal to start a sentence describing an action?
No, you must use the adverbial form. Learners often use the adjective 'informal' in sentence-initial positions where the adverbial form informally is required to modify the clause.