informally speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"informally speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are speaking informally or in a more casual manner. For example, "Informally speaking, I think this is a great idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Informally speaking, two sets of rules are strongly equivalent if they have the same meaning in any context.

Artificial Intelligence

That means that the two structures are, informally speaking, perfect mathematical images of each other and each could stand in for the other in any formal application.

SEP

Informally speaking, AC2 amounts to the assertion that a variable set with an element at each stage has a variable element.

SEP

Informally speaking, this means that the output of the social welfare function must always be a ranking of the alternatives from better to worse, perhaps with ties.

SEP

Thus informally speaking, even in the relatively undiscriminating framework Set-Fmla, the logic of one truth-function never subsumes that of another.

SEP

Informally speaking, a non-associative word is an expression formed from several indeterminates by applying the multiplication and the right and the left divisions (In particular, a monomial is a non-associative word formed using multiplication only).

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Hill, the Fordham coach, has informally spoken to the team about the job, according to an Eastern Conference team official with knowledge of Cleveland's plans.

The New York Times - Sports

The final resolutions, including female suffrage, were passed, in no small measure, because of the support of Frederick Douglass, who attended and informally spoke at the convention.

Wikipedia

Sveikas, pronounced "SVAY-kahs" is used informally when speaking to a man, while sveika, pronounced "say-kAH" is used informally when speaking to a woman.

WikiHow

At our meetings, and informally, she spoke about her ideas, ways of adjusting and tightening our overall social studies curriculum.

Huffington Post

Informally, we spoke to each student during each class session, answering their questions and asking them to explain the results they had obtained as they solved problems.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "informally speaking" to preface explanations or definitions that are simplified for easier understanding, especially when dealing with complex or technical topics.

Common error

Avoid using "informally speaking" in highly formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more precise and professional language that maintains clarity without sacrificing formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "informally speaking" functions as a discourse marker. It signals a shift in register to a more casual or simplified explanation, often preceding a definition or statement that is not technically precise. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Informally speaking" is a versatile phrase employed to introduce simplified explanations, making complex topics more accessible. As Ludwig AI notes, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. While common across various contexts, including science and news, it's best reserved for situations where a less formal tone is appropriate. Alternatives like "in layman's terms" or "put simply" can serve similar purposes. Remember to avoid overuse in highly formal writing, where more precise language is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a manner of speaking

This alternative introduces the concept of figurative language or approximation.

in layman's terms

This option emphasizes simplification for a general audience.

put simply

This phrase stresses brevity and directness in explanation.

in plain English

This highlights the use of clear and easily understandable language.

basically

This term indicates a summary or the most important aspects.

in essence

This suggests capturing the core meaning or central point.

to put it another way

This signals a rephrasing of a previous statement for clarity.

in other words

This introduces a restatement of something already said.

generally speaking

This indicates a broad statement that may not be true in every case.

for the sake of simplicity

This clarifies that a complex topic is being presented in a simplified way.

FAQs

How can I use "informally speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "informally speaking" to introduce a simplified explanation of a complex topic. For example, "Informally speaking, a black hole is a region in spacetime with such strong gravity that nothing, not even light, can escape."

What is a good alternative to "informally speaking"?

Alternatives include "in layman's terms", "put simply", or "basically". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "informally speaking" in academic writing?

While "informally speaking" is acceptable, it is often better to use more precise language in academic writing. Consider rephrasing for a more formal tone unless you are deliberately simplifying a concept. For example, you may rephrase using "in essence" or "to put it another way".

What does "informally speaking" imply about the following statement?

Using "informally speaking" suggests that the following statement is a simplification or approximation, rather than a rigorous or technically precise definition. It prepares the audience for a less formal explanation.