How to Tell If Your Writing Sounds Too Formal or Too Casual

A quick self-check before sending anything important.

1. Too formal: if you wouldn't say it out loud to the person's face, it's probably overwritten.
2. Too casual: if the message could be misread as dismissive of a serious topic, dial it back.
3. Match the register of the person you're writing to as a general anchor point.
4. When unsure, slightly more formal than your instinct is usually the safer default for first contact.

Related reads