What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
informally
Example
Let's meet up informally for coffee and catch up. [informally: adverb]
Example
The boss informed us informally about the upcoming changes. [informally: adverb]
unofficially
Example
I heard unofficially that the company is going bankrupt. [unofficially: adverb]
Example
The team played an unofficial game against their rivals. [unofficial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Informally is more commonly used than unofficially in everyday language. Informally is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unofficially is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between informally and unofficially?
Informally is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, while unofficially can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the context and tone of the communication.
