Speaking and Pronunciation / Speaking / Formal and Informal English
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F
ormal
and Informal English
When we speak or write, we choose a style of language that is appropriate to the situation and person with whom we are communicating. Everyday language tends to be more informal and may contain some slang, whereas academic language and a great deal of written language tend to be more formal.
There are certain aspects of the language which make the difference between a formal and an informal style:
Vocabulary
Sentence structure
Use of contractions in speech and writing
Choice of expressions
Length of sentence
Formal |
Informal |
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|
Look at the following sentences and decide which ones are formal (F) and which are informal (I).
How’s it going?
I’m delighted to meet you.
G’day
Right
I am writing to inform you about …
I have no experience in this matter
Sorry
Let’s go
What’s up?
My apologies
Now match one of the informal words or expressions on the left with a formal word or expression on the right.
Informal |
Formal |
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|
Websites for further practice are given below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/e3/words/listening/formalinformal/
http://www.flinders.edu.au/SLC/Brochures/formal_informal_lang.pdf
http://cc.oulu.fi/~smac/TRW/INFORMAL_handout.htm
Answers
Ex1
INF
F
INF
F (can be both. ‘Okay’ is often used more informally)
F
F
INF
INF
INF
F
Ex 2
1 – h
2 – n
3 – l
4 – c
5 – i
6 – k
7 – q
8 – a
9 – r
10 – b
11 – m
12 – f
13 – p
14 – j
15 – g
16 – d
17 – e
18 - o