Slang and idioms-Is it appropriate in formal letters?
As I have heard that all native speakers' speech are loaded with idioms and slangs. Are idioms and slangs meant only for communicating with people?
sanjay
Expert
1 answer 
I will add to Lewis's answer.
I avoid slang in formal writing and all business communications (whether I am friendly with the recipient or not). In business communication, I am writing as a representative of the business and not as an individual. For instance, I have two clients I have known for nearly twenty years. We see each other frequently for business and then often pleasure. We have shared dinners in our homes and visited Dinsey World together. I've watched their children grow up and been to their weddings. I never use slang, even in email, if the subject involves business. (We also do not use our business email accounts when communicating personally.)
Idioms are a tricky subject. Generally those are avoided as well. But many terms of professional jargon are idioms. This jargon has specific technical or legal meaning within the profession -- terms of the art, if you will. I will use these terms in formal writing addressed to other architects, engineers, and our clients.
Formal writing should be straightforward, clear, concise, and unadorned.
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edited Jul 31 '12 at 14:57
Jeff Pribyl
Grammarly Fellow
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Thank you very much. Do you use idioms and slangs in your converstion?
In conversation (or in emails among close friends), I will use idioms and slang, although not as many as others I know. I try to use the language appropriate to the context. While watching my young softball playing friend, I will use baseball slang and idioms (softball is a form of baseball). But I won't use the same language while attending the opera.
Thank you sir.
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