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Three Levels of Formality in English

There are three levels of formality in English: formal, semi-formal, and informal. Formal English is used in academic writing and official reports, semi-formal English is used in professional settings and conversations, and informal English is used with friends and family. Some key differences between these levels include sentence structure, vocabulary, contractions, idioms, and slang. Formal English uses complex sentences, precise vocabulary, and avoids contractions and informal language. Informal English uses simpler sentences and expressions, contractions, and phrasal verbs and slang. Semi-formal English is between the two with some contractions and idioms allowed.

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127 views5 pages

Three Levels of Formality in English

There are three levels of formality in English: formal, semi-formal, and informal. Formal English is used in academic writing and official reports, semi-formal English is used in professional settings and conversations, and informal English is used with friends and family. Some key differences between these levels include sentence structure, vocabulary, contractions, idioms, and slang. Formal English uses complex sentences, precise vocabulary, and avoids contractions and informal language. Informal English uses simpler sentences and expressions, contractions, and phrasal verbs and slang. Semi-formal English is between the two with some contractions and idioms allowed.

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THREE LEVELS OF FORMALITY IN ENGLISH

Formal – Textbooks, official reports, academic articles, essays, business letters,


contracts, official speeches
Semi-formal – Day-to-day interaction with colleagues and teachers, popular
magazines/books, interviews, when talking with someone in authority or whom you
respect
Informal – Interacting with friends, speaking or chatting online
FORMAL ENGLISH
1. LONGER/MORE COMPLEX SENTENCES
Punctuation, proper grammar, and correct sentence structure are very important. A
formal sentence you might see in an academic journal:

Research has shown that learning a second language, in addition to leading to expanded career
and social opportunities, can also expand the reasoning capability of the brain, although this
finding is disputed by some scientists.
A less formal way to express the same idea:

Learning another language can improve your career and social life. Some people also say it can
make you smarter, but others disagree.
2. LARGER AND LESS COMMON WORDS
A formal sentence you might see in an economic report:

The economy is currently quite robust; nevertheless, some specialists predict an imminent
recession.
A simpler, less formal way to say the same thing:

The economy is very strong right now, but some specialists say we’ll have a recession soon.
Some less formal words and their formal equivalents:

Less formal:help (n.) More formal:assistance


buy purchase
need require
get obtain
next/later subsequently
also/plus moreover
whole entire
enough sufficient
Download a list of more formal/informal words
3. AVOID PHRASAL VERBS
The price went up.
The price rose/increased.
The client asked for a contract.
The client requested a contract.
The problems have come back.
The problems have returned.
We will cut down on spending.
We will reduce spending.
4. AVOID CONTRACTIONS
I’m, you’re, can’t, don’t, wasn’t, it’s…

The shipment hasn’t arrived.
The shipment has not arrived.
They’re manufactured in China.
They are manufactured in China.
He’s the director of marketing.
He is the director of marketing.
We’d like to inform you…
We would like to inform you…
What about this? – The company’s employees
This is OK to use in formal English because it’s a possessive, NOT a contraction! It
means “The employees of the company.”

With possessives, you can use either ‘s or “of the” – but try to avoid using “of the”
multiple times in a single phrase:
the terms of the client’s contract
NOT: the terms of the contract of the client
5. NO IDIOMS, SLANG, TEXT SPEAK
Idiom: The software is a piece of cake.
 The software is quite user-friendly.
 The software is extremely easy to use.
Slang: A million bucks in profit.
 A million dollars in profit.
Text speak: Tks & we look 4ward 2 meeting u.
 Thanks, and we look forward to meeting you.
Also avoid shortened words:

The info was incomplete.
The information was incomplete.
The results have arrived from the lab.
The results have arrived from the laboratory.
fruits and veggies
fruits and vegetables
SEMI-FORMAL ENGLISH
1. PHRASAL VERBS & CONTRACTIONS = OK
Could you look over this report?
look over = review and check for errors
She came up with a great idea.
came up with = created, invented, thought of
I’m available on Friday morning.
The directors weren’t happy.
2. SOME IDIOMS ARE OK, BUT AVOID SLANG AND
TEXT SPEAK
This project is on the back burner.
on the back burner = not a priority at the moment
We’re operating in the red.
in the red = no money, negative cash flow
Semi-formal (inviting your boss): “Would you like to join me for lunch?”
Informal (inviting your best friend): “Hey, wanna grab a bite to eat?”
Semi-formal: “Hello, how are you?”
Informal: “Wassup?”
Semi-formal: “The conference was great!”
Informal: “It was awesome!” “It was the bomb!”
3. USE POLITE ENGLISH
Say “I’d like…” instead of “I want…”
When making requests, use “could you” and “please,” don’t just give commands:
Say“Could you please call me later?” and not just “Call me later.”
Another part of polite English is making criticisms and negative comments in an indirect
way:

You’re wrong.
I’m afraid you’re mistaken.
I disagree.
I’m of a different opinion. / I see it differently.
This is terrible work.
This could be improved.
I don’t like it.
I don’t really care for it.
It’s not my cup of tea.
I’d prefer…
INFORMAL ENGLISH
1. SHORTER, SIMPLER SENTENCES – PERFECT
GRAMMAR IS NOT AS IMPORTANT
(So don’t be so nervous about mistakes when speaking!)

“Have you finished your work yet?” –> “Finished your work yet?”
“I’m really liking this book.”
(“like” should technically not be in the -ING form here)

“But I don’t think so.”

Starting sentences with “but,” ending sentences with prepositions, using sentence
fragments – these are all done in informal spoken English.

2. EXPRESSIONS/EXCLAMATIONS
 um, uh, like, lemme see… = hesitation, when you need a moment to think before
speaking
 I mean… = to clarify
 …you know? = to check if the other person understands
 Gotcha. = I understand
 How come? = Why?
 Yeah right. = a sarcastic way to say “I don’t believe you.”
 I’ll say! = I definitely agree with you
 wow! = surprise
 oops = accident
 yuck = that’s disgusting
3. PHRASAL VERBS, SLANG, AND IDIOMS ARE USED
VERY FREQUENTLY
This is one reason that watching movies and TV shows in English is difficult… even if
you have good vocabulary and grammar! You may not have learned the phrasal verbs,
slang, and idioms in your textbook.

Phrasal verb: “I won’t put up with this!”


put up with = tolerate
Idiom: “Could you give me a hand?”
give me a hand = help me
Slang: “I aced the test!”
aced = got an excellent grade
The Phrasal Verbs in Conversation Course and the English Idioms Course can help you
learn these expressions in context!
4. REDUCTIONS WHEN SPEAKING
(IN BOTH SEMI-FORMAL AND INFORMAL ENGLISH)
He’s gonna be angry.
gonna = going to
I wanna learn how to ski.
wanna = want to
Didja like the movie?
didja = did you
We hafta leave now.
hafta = have to
I bought apples n grapes.
n = and

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