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Formal and Informal

The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English, highlighting the characteristics and contexts in which each is used. It contrasts British and American English in terms of politeness and directness, providing examples of language usage in various social situations. The document also includes comparisons of specific words and phrases used in formal versus informal contexts.

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12 views24 pages

Formal and Informal

The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English, highlighting the characteristics and contexts in which each is used. It contrasts British and American English in terms of politeness and directness, providing examples of language usage in various social situations. The document also includes comparisons of specific words and phrases used in formal versus informal contexts.

Uploaded by

kezabrielle8
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Formal and Informal English

Prof. Prince Wasajja Kiwanuka

ESP 1
Politeness

• British English tends to avoid


bluntness and directness.
• On the other hand, Americans in the
UK are sometimes stereotyped as
rude due to their directness.

6/25/2021 2
Examples
• Americans: “He’s been taken into
custody,”
• Brits; “He’s helping the police with their
enquiries.”
• British, ending a request with the word
“please,” is seen as common politeness.
• But Americans might interpret the word
“please” as too bossy or formal
6/25/2021 3
• British English speakers tend to
preface their correspondence with
“Maybe,” “I believe,” or “Perhaps,”
to avoid sounding bossy or
demanding,
• Their requests are sometimes
framed in a question.
• American perceived that as weak,
6/25/2021 4
Characteristics of formal
• Serious language:
• Objective
• Specific vocabulary
• No contractions
• More complex sentences
• Controlled
• Impersonal
When do we use formal language?
• Job interview
• Principal's office
• Class essay
• Business letter
Characteristics of informal
language:
• Slang vocabulary
• Funny
• Casual
• Simple
• Plain spoken
• Punctuation (exclamation points)
When do we use informal language?
• Text message
• Personal Diary
• Friendly letter
• Jotting a note
When we are speaking to an Elder we might say: “Good
morning.”
When we are speaking to our best friend we might say:
“T’up?!”

When we are speaking to an adult we might say: “I am


confused.”
When we are speaking to a friend we might say: “I don’t
get it.”
When we are speaking to a teacher we might say: “Please
show me where the canteen is.”
When we are speaking to a classmate we might say:
“Show me where it is.”

When we are speaking to a senior we might say: “Will the


nurse assist the doctor?”
When we are speaking to a friend we might say: “Who
helps the doctor?”
How do we know when to use
formal or informal language?
We need to think about….
• What is the event?
• What is the size of the audience?
• Who is the audience?
• What is the relationship of the
speaker to the audience?
• What is the task you have been
assigned?
Let’s compare words we might use in
formal language and informal language.
Verbs
Formal Language Informal Language
to depart to go
to retain to keep
to cease to stop
to demonstrate to show
to assist to help
to create to make
Formal Language Informal Language
Hello. Hi.
Goodbye. See you later.
How are you? What’s up?
Sincerely, From,
Dear ________, To _______,
Good morning. Hey!
Let’s practice…

Read each sentence


and tell whether it is a
formal sentence or an
informal sentence.
The project will be
completed next year.
We’ll finish this job
next year.
We did some
experiments.
The students
conducted an
experiment.
Your decision will be
expected by 9:00 AM.
You have to decide by
9:00!
Your idea is better
than mine!
I think that your idea
will help to solve this
problem.
Please place all new
items in the container
near the door.
Put them by the door.
MORE PHRASES
Formal: Thank you for your
letter of 22 January
concerning....
Informal: Thank you for your
letter about...
Formal: I am writing to inform
you that...
Informal: I am writing to say
that...
MORE PHRASES
Formal: I regret to inform you
that...
Informal: I’m sorry to tell you
that...
Formal: Please give my
regards to Peter Hogan
Informal: Regards to Peter

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