Language term
Register
The level of formality and the kind of language chosen for an audience and purpose.
What it means
Register is the way language is pitched for a particular audience, purpose and situation, from very formal to very informal. It covers vocabulary (technical or everyday), grammar (full sentences or fragments), and features like contractions and slang. Choosing the right register is a practical skill the exam rewards.
A letter to a headteacher and a message to a friend need very different English.
Why it matters in the exam
Directed-writing and ESL tasks often assess register directly. A formal report, a persuasive speech and an informal email each need a different tone and vocabulary. Slipping register (a chatty phrase in a formal letter) costs marks.
Example
"I am writing to express my concern" is formal register; "just wanted to flag something" is informal.
How to use it
Before writing, decide who the audience is and how formal the task requires you to be. Then keep your vocabulary, contractions and sentence style consistent with that choice from start to finish.
Knowing the term is the first step. In a paid one-hour trial, a teacher helps your child use "Register" accurately in an answer.