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Formal and informal language

elementary

Formal and informal language

with MaxBex

3. Elementary

Pick the correct answer

Which is more formal?

English has a lot of differences between FORMAL and INFORMAL language.

Formal language:

-job applications -older people you don't know -work meetings with people you don't know -essays/written assignments -emailing officials/offices etc

Informal language:

-friends -family -work colleagues casually around the office -with the staff in a trendy cafe

“Last week, my sister and I took the train to Brighton, a popular seaside town in the South of England. Although it’s a pebble beach, and despite the cloudy weather, the beach was crowded with sunbathers and families. One group nearly lost their picnic when a strong wind blew their blanket and paper plates away.”

“Oh, did I tell you me and my sister went to Brighton last week? We got the train down, it was really fun. I mean, it was really cold and there’s no sand, just, you know, stones, but it was still pretty good. All these people were trying really hard to sunbathe and have picnics and stuff, and then there was this, like, big gust of wind and all the plates and blankets were flying everywhere. So funny!”

“Last week, my sister and I took the train to Brighton, a popular seaside town in the South of England. Although it’s a pebble beach, and despite the cloudy weather, the beach was crowded with sunbathers and families. One group nearly lost their picnic when a strong wind blew their blanket and paper plates away.”

“Oh, did I tell you me and my sister went to Brighton last week? We got the train down, it was really fun. I mean, it was really cold and there’s no sand, just, you know, stones, but it was still pretty good. All these people were trying really hard to sunbathe and have picnics and stuff, and then there was this, like, big gust of wind and all the plates and blankets were flying everywhere. So funny!”

Pick the correct answer

Which is more formal?

Contractions

"I am writing to say..." "I'm writing to say..."

Pick the correct answer

Which is more formal?

Relatives clauses

"The painting I bought...." "The painting that I bought..."

Pick the correct answer

Which is more formal?

Not using personal pronouns (this is more done when writing)

"Went to the park." "I went to the park."

When writing an essay "I" is considered less formal.

-"I considered various research methods for the study." -"Various research methods were considered for the study."

Pick the correct answer

Which is more formal?

Phrasal verbs are usually less formal.

"I took my clothes off." "I removed my clothes."

Words of Greek, French and Latin origin are usually considered more formal. Words of Germanic/Old English origin are considered more informal.

start vs commence end vs terminate

Dear David, Thank you for the response to my email, and for suggesting that we meet. I am available on the 22nd in the afternoon. Would that be suitable for you? I look forward to your response. Kind regards, Max

Hi Dave! Thanks for getting back to me! Yes, let's meet! I am free on the 22nd after lunch. Does that work? Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks again, Max

Dear David, Thank you for the response to my email, and for suggesting that we meet. I am available on the 22nd in the afternoon. Would that be suitable for you? I look forward to your response. Kind regards, Max

Hi Dave! Thanks for getting back to me! Yes, let's meet! I am free on the 22nd after lunch. Does that work? Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks again, Max

Writing style is important in FORMAL vs INFORMAL language.

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Full Video Duration: 20 minutes
Aired: over 1 year ago

English has a lot of differences between FORMAL and INFORMAL language.

Formal language:

Informal language:

Contractions

Relatives clauses

Not using personal pronouns (this is more done when writing)

When writing an essay "I" is considered less formal.

Phrasal verbs are usually less formal.

Words of Greek, French and Latin origin are usually considered more formal. Words of Germanic/Old English origin are considered more informal.

Dear David, Thank you for the response to my email, and for suggesting that we meet. I am available on the 22nd in the afternoon. Would that be suitable for you? I look forward to your response. Kind regards, Max

Hi Dave! Thanks for getting back to me! Yes, let's meet! I am free on the 22nd after lunch. Does that work? Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks again, Max

Dear David, Thank you for the response to my email, and for suggesting that we meet. I am available on the 22nd in the afternoon. Would that be suitable for you? I look forward to your response. Kind regards, Max

Hi Dave! Thanks for getting back to me! Yes, let's meet! I am free on the 22nd after lunch. Does that work? Look forward to hearing from you! Thanks again, Max

Writing style is important in FORMAL vs INFORMAL language.

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