Formal & Informal English
Summary
1.The definition of formal and informal English
---Language style
---Definition
---My view about using formal and informal English
2.Differences between formal and informal English
3.Conclusion
The definition of formal and informal English
Language style
There are three main language styles:
1. Formal
2. Semi-Formal
3. Informal
Definition
Formal English is used in "serious" texts and situations — for example, in official
documents, books, news reports, articles, business letters or official speeches. You
would use formal English, for example,when you are a lawyer speaking to a jury,
when you are making a formal presentation, and when you want to sound fancy.
Informal English is used in everyday conversations and in personal letters.
Informal English is generally what people use when speaking.
My view about using formal and informal English
As far as I am concerned,informal means relaxed.It is generally used with friends and
family, so if you are in casual, relaxed situation.You can feel free to use a more
informal English.However, if you are with your colleagues in a business setting or
want yourself to be more professional,you will be needed to act and speak more
formal.
You need to know formal English because you want to be able to read a book, give a
business presentation or write an official letter. You also need informal English because you want to be able to understand and communicate with English speakers in
everyday situations.
Differences between formal and informal English
Formal English Informal English
Used in official, literary, academic, etc.
content.
Used in everyday, personal
conversations.
Typically used in careful, edited writing
— when the writer has a lot of time to
polish his text. Formal English also occurs
in speech, usually when the speaker is
saying something that was prepared
beforehand (for example, reading the news
or delivering an official speech).
Typically used in "improvised" speech
— when the speaker is speaking without
preparation, as in a conversation (in real life
or over the phone). Informal English also
occurs in writing, usually whenever the
writer is writing quickly and without editing
(for example, in an Internet chatroom or in
quick, personal e-mails).
Sentences are longer and more
complicated, for example:
Toyota's US sales bounced back in
March as substantial discounts helped to
win back customers who had been shaken
by the firm's mass safety recalls. Sentences are simpler and shorter, for
example:
Did you see Toyota's sales figures?
Looks like the discounts have actually
worked.
Don't use contracted forms, use the
entire auxiliary verb:
They have lived in New York for many
years. Use contracted forms:
They've lived in New York for many
years.
Use relative structures:
The woman thought that it was
important to be on time.
Drop certain relative structures:
The woman thought it was important
to be on time.
Use 'whom' as an object:
Whom have they chosen for the position?
Use 'who' as an object:
Who have they chosen for the position?
Always use the full form of an
auxiliary:
Have you finished your work?
Sometimes the auxiliary verb is
dropped in informal speech.This is often
grammatically incorrect, but is certainly
common in everyday usage: Finished your work?
It uses more indirect language, making
it less personal.
The student was given a book.
We gave the student a book.
He withdrew the amount from an ATM. Use of Slang
He had to get some money out of a hole
in the wall …
Many (but not all) phrasal verbs are
avoided.
For example: His insufficient production
conducted to his dismissal.
Phrasal verbs are used frequently. For
example, in informal situations, people
usually say found out instead of
discovered,came across instead of
encountered and got away instead of
escaped.
For example:The company laid him off
because he didn't work much.
Because informal English is
"improvised", it is sloppy. Speakers (and
sometimes writers) often do the following:
1. Use "delaying expressions" to give
themselves time: Well, I think they should
have asked us first, you know?
2. Use "correcting expressions" to correct
themselves: He's not well. I mean, he's not
sick, but he's very tired.
3. Use "qualifying expressions" to show that
what they said is not exactly right: This
whole blogging thing is getting kind of old.
Informal English contains useful
"everyday phrases", for example:
1. Here you are. There you go.(when giving
something to someone)
2.So, you're saying that...?(to ask for
confirmation)
3.Exactly!, I couldn't agree with you more.
(to agree with someone)
4.By the way..., Anyway... (to change the
topic)
5.See you.Take care.(to say goodbye)