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Formal and Informal Language

english

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38 views25 pages

Formal and Informal Language

english

Uploaded by

barajeit
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FORMAL AND

INFORMAL LANGUAGE
INTRODUCTION
Would you wear swimwear to a job interview? Or a black
suit to the beach? Probably not – it would be both impractical and
strange. The same goes for how we use the English language.
Sometimes you need to be formal; other times informal works
better.
DISCUSS
How would you use language differently in the following
situations:
 Texting a friend
 Writing a letter to apply for a job
 Giving a televised speech to the United Nations General
Assembly
 Chatting with their best friend

*In pairs, discuss and write down the features of formal and
informal language.
FORMAL LANGUAGE
Formal language refers to a style of communication
that is professional, polished and adheres to
established rules and conventions.
It is often used in official, academic, or business
settings to convey respect, authority, and precision.
Looks like • Standing or sitting straighter than usual
Sounds like • “Hello, Mrs. Cadle” • “Please, may I…”
• “Nice to meet you.”
INFORMAL LANGUAGE
Informal language is more relaxed, spoken or written in a
friendly, familiar, and more personal way.
It is often used in casual conversations, social media, and
creative writing, where a more relaxed and personal tone is
appropriate.
Looks like • Standing or sitting in a relaxed position
Sounds like • Using slang/conversational • “Hi” • “What are
yadoin’?” • “What’s new?”

*Give other examples………………….


COMPARISON
Take notes as you watch the video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdDBY2-Wmis
He is going to the dance tonight. NOT He's going to the dance
tonight. (no contractions)
George has received the letter. NOT George received the
letter. (use the present perfect more often)
She wore the hat that I gave her. NOT She wore the hat I gave her.
(keep the relative pronoun 'that’)
Do you want to go to the park? NOT You want to go to the park? (do
not delete words)
COMPARISON CONT.
• Vocabulary is often a little different as
well.
- Please refrain from smoking. (formal)
- Please don't smoke. (informal)
- You must adhere to these guidelines. (formal)
- You must follow these guidelines. (informal)
COMMONLY USED INFORMAL
WORDS AND PHRASES
• Anyways, ain’t, a lot
• Contractions – don’t, can’t, isn’t, etc.
• Could of, would of, should of
• I dunno know
• Hey, how are ya?
• Wanna go to the beach?
• Any texting language – lol, omg, cuz, tmro, brb
DIFFERENCES
Some of the main differences between informal and formal
writing:
Informal: May use colloquial words/expressions (kids, guy,
awesome, a lot, etc.)
Formal: Avoid using colloquial words/expressions (substitute
with children, man/boy, wonderful, many, etc.)
Informal: May use contractions (can't, won't, shouldn't, etc.).
Formal: Avoid contractions (write out full words cannot, will
not, should not, etc.).
Informal: May use first, second, or third person.
DIFFERENCES CONT.
Formal: Write in third person (except in business letters
where first person may be used).
Informal: May use clichés (loads of, conspicuous by
absence, etc.)
Formal: Avoid clichés (use many, was absent, etc.)
Informal: May address readers using second person
pronouns (you, your, etc)
Formal: Avoid addressing readers using second person
pronouns (use one, one's, the reader, the reader's, etc.)
DIFFERENCES CONT.
Informal: May use abbreviated words (photo, TV,
etc.)
Formal: Avoid using abbreviated words (use full
versions -
like photograph, television, etc.)
Informal: May use imperative voice (e.g.
Remember....)
Formal: Avoid imperative voice (use Please
refer to.....)
DIFFERENCES CONT.
Formal: Use passive voice (e.g. It has been noticed that....)
Informal: May use short and simple sentences.
Formal: Longer and more complex sentences are preferred
(short simple sentences reflects poorly on the writer)
Informal: Difficulty of subject may be acknowledged and
empathy shown to the reader.
Formal: State your points confidently and offer your argument
firm support.
**Choose the style of writing keeping in mind what you are writing and
to whom. But whichever style you write in formal or informal - be sure
to keep it consistent, do not mix the two.
TASK 1
State whether the following is formal or informal
• You call your dad at work and his boss answers the
phone.
• You are asking someone out on a date
• You are talking to your parents at the dinner table
• You are trying to convince the assistant principal to
change the date of the detention you were given.
• You are talking with your friends at the mall.
TASK 2
State whether the following is formal or
informal
• Circle clue or underline words that helped
you figure out if this was formal or informal
This is to inform you that your book has been
rejected by our publishing company as it was not
up to the required standard. If you would like us to
reconsider it, we would suggest that you go over it
and make some necessary changes.
TASK 3
State whether the following is formal or
informal
• Circle or underline clue words that helped
you figure out if this was formal or informal
You know that book I wrote? Well, the publishing
company rejected it. They thought it was awful.
But hey, I did the best I could, and I think it was
great. I’m not gonna redo it the way they said I
should.
TASK 4
Change the following sentences from
Formal to Informal
1. I would be delighted to see you!
2. I certainly appreciate this.
3. It has been a pleasure meeting you.
4. Could you possibly give me a hand with
this project?
TASK 5
The following are sentences written with informal
(and sometimes incorrect) words and phrases.
Rewrite each sentence making the necessary
corrections to create a formal statement.
1. He has a lot of reasons for doin what he did.
2. It ain’t gonna be ok for you to go tmro.
3. Do you get the homework in science?
4. Anyways, it was good to see you.
5. She should of done her homework b4 goin to the movie.
SEMI- FORMAL
Semi-formal English is more neutral.
This is the language you would use when you talk to people you
know, but perhaps not on a personal level, for example when you
talk to your teacher or when you speak to colleagues in a work
setting.
It is used both in written and spoken communication.
FORMAL VS. SEMI-FORMAL
 The sentences are often shorter and less complex than in formal
English.
Formal example
The evidence taken from the observation of the behaviour
of apes and children suggests that there are three clearly
separable groups of simple causes for the outbreak of
fighting and the exhibition of aggressiveness by individuals.

Semi-formal example
If we look at how apes and children behave, we see the
same three reasons why fights start in each group.
FORMAL VS. SEMI-FORMAL
 The vocabulary is simpler and more colloquial than formal
English.
You could use everyday words like 'stop' and 'meet' instead
of more formal words like 'terminate' and 'convene’.
 Phrasal verbs are often used. You could very well say
‘Could you look over this report’ instead of the more formal
‘Could you review this report?’
 Contractions like 'I’m', 'they’re' and 'hasn’t' are used,
but you can also use the full form ('I am', 'they are', 'has
not’).
SEMI-FORMAL
 Slang and textspeak should still be avoided.
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
 Use Polite English: “could you” , “please”
- “Could you please call me later” NOT “Call me later”
USES (CONT.) AND
EXAMPLES
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.
Semi- formal Examples
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
EXAMPLES
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!”
GROUP TASK
1. You’re wrong.
2. I disagree.
3. This is terrible work.
4. I don’t like it.
ANSWERS
1. I’m afraid you’re mistaken
2. I’m of a different opinion/ I see it differently
3. This could be improved
4. I don’t really care for it/ It’s not my cup of tea/ I prefer ……

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