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    Formal Informal English +exercises

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    Iza Costan
    The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English language styles. It provides examples of grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing differences. It also includes exercises for the reader to practice transforming between the two styles.

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Formal Informal English +exercises

    Uploaded by

    Iza Costan
    2K views8 pages
    The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English language styles. It provides examples of grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing differences. It also includes exercises for the reader to practice transforming between the two styles.

    Original Description:

    Preparing for Exam - Exercises

    Original Title

    Formal Informal English +Exercises

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    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

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    The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English language styles. It provides examples of grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing differences. It also includes exercises for the reader to practice transforming between the two styles.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    2K views8 pages

    Formal Informal English +exercises

    Uploaded by

    Iza Costan
    The document discusses the differences between formal and informal English language styles. It provides examples of grammar, vocabulary, and phrasing differences. It also includes exercises for the reader to practice transforming between the two styles.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 8

    FORMAL & INFORMAL ENGLISH

    Summary
    Language Styles .................................................................................................................................... 2 Rules of Language Styles....................................................................................................................... 3 Different Styles between Informal & Formal English .................................................................. 4 Dictionary of Formal & Informal English.................................................................................... 6 Exercise 1................................................................................................................................ 7 Exercise 2................................................................................................................................ 7

    This file is property of Business Language Services S.r.l., and any unlawful use is prohibited. For information about copyrights contact info@blssrl.com

    Page 1 of 8

    Language Styles
    There are three main language styles: 1. Formal 2. Semi-Formal 3. Informal The diagram below illustrates how these styles are rated on a scale of 0 to 10.
    Diagram of Formal & Informal English

    10

    Page 2 of 8

    Informal

    Semi-formal

    Formal

    Business Language Services S.r.l.

    Rules of Language Styles


    The following rules apply to both written and spoken English.
    Language Style: Rules

    analysis

    Company

    Person

    Know name of recipient?

    Have spoken or exchanged info?


    No Yes

    No

    Yes

    Formal

    Formal

    Are on familiar terms?


    No Yes

    Dear Sir or Madam,

    Dear Sir,

    Semi-formal

    Informal

    Dear Mr. Donald,

    Dear Guy

    Dont know anything about the person who receives letter.

    Know title or name of person. Never met or exchanged info.

    Know name of person and have exchanged greetings.

    Know person well and on familiar terms.

    Formal and Informal English

    Page 3 of 8

    Different Styles between Informal & Formal English


    The follow examples illustrate the main differences between informal and formal English.

    1. Active & Passive Voice Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June. Now its your turn to pay us.
    Although the fault was repaired on 12th June, payment for this intervention has still not been received.

    Informal Formal

    2. Verb Form: Phrasal Verbs & Latinate The company laid him off because he didn't work much.
    His insufficient production conducted to his dismissal.

    Informal Formal

    3. Language: Direct & Formulaic Im sorry but Im happy to say that


    We regret to inform you that We have pleasure in announcing that

    Informal Formal

    4. Use of Slang He had to get some money out of a hole in the wall
    He withdrew the amount from an ATM.

    Informal Formal

    Page 4 of 8

    Business Language Services S.r.l.

    5. Personal Form & Nominators If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as possible.
    Any loss of this document should be reported immediately

    Informal Formal

    6. Linking Words The bank cant find the payment you say youve made.
    Notwithstanding that the payment has been sent the bank fails to acknowledge it.

    Informal Formal

    7. Revitalised Sentences Anybody or any company.

    Informal Formal

    any natural person who, and any legal entity which

    8. Modal Usage If you need any help give us a call.

    Informal Formal

    Should you require any assistance, please feel free to contact us

    9. Singular & Plural Person I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!

    Informal Formal

    We can assist in the resolution of this matter. Contact us on our toll-free number.

    Formal and Informal English

    Page 5 of 8

    Dictionary of Formal & Informal English Type


    Prep. Idiom Conj. Idiom Conj. Verb Conj. Adj. Verb Verb Adj. Verb Verb Verb Verb Verb Verb Verb Verb Conj. Conj. Idiom Idiom Idiom Idiom Verb Idiom Verb Adj. Verb Verb Idiom Idiom Verb Verb Verb Verb Idiom

    Informal
    About Agree with And Bearing in mind Because Begin But Careful / Cautious Carry out Check Enough Fill me in Find out Follow Get Get in touch Go over Has to be Have to give If If or not. If you don't If you've got any questions In accordance with In the red Involve Lost Make sure Many Order Pay Put in writing Sorry! Supply Take away Tell Trusted We don't want to do this We'll call the law When we get Whenever we like Write (e.g. Cheque) Written

    Formal
    Regarding / Concerning Be bound by As well as Reference being made to As a result of / due to (the fact) Commence While / Whereas Prudential Effect Verify Sufficient Inform / Tell Ascertain Duly observe Receive Contact Exceed Shall be Submit Should Whether or not. Failing / Failure to Should you have any queries Pursuant to Overdrawn Entail Inadvertently mislaid Ensure Several / Numerous Authorise Settle Provide written confirmation We regret Furnish Withdraw Disclose Entrusted This a course of action we are anxious to avoid We will have no alternative but involving our legal On receipt Without prior notice Issue (e.g. Cheque) Shown / Indicated

    Idiom

    Idiom Idiom Verb Verb

    Page 6 of 8

    Business Language Services S.r.l.

    EXERCISE 1
    Insert formal expression which correspond to the ones in brackets.
    1. I ________ to ________ you that our prices have ________. (sorry - tell - gone up) 2. This is ________ to ________ ________ that costs have risen. (because) 3. Unfortunately, I have to ________ you that I ________ not ________ ________ to ________ the meeting. (tell - cant - come to) 4. ________ ________ ________ some brochures describing our products. (Here [in this letter] are) 5. We have ________ ________ to increase our prices. (had) 6. You are 90 days past due on invoice #2792, please ________ ________ ________ as soon as possible. (pay up) 7. Please write ________ ________ ________ any ________ (if youve got - questions) 8. Your account is ________ . (in the red)

    EXERCISE 2
    Transform the following sentences from informal to formal English.
    9. We are not going to renew the sole representative agreement again because you havent produced enough business for us. 10. The machine should work because it has been tested. 11. Our bank has told us that you havent made this months payment. 12. We cant send you the engineering blueprints on disk until the full joint-venture agreement is signed in full next month. 13. Were too busy to go to London for the meeting in this period. Can you come over here? 14. Your client didnt complete the documents properly. Please get him to do it and then send them back to us as soon as possible. 15. If youve got any problems give me a call. 16. Theres a problem on the computer system. It wont work between 10 and 12pm tomorrow. 17. This is because we think its necessary. 18. Well help you if you need it. 19. If we dont receive payment well call our lawyers. 20. Well give you 8 days to solve this problem.

    Formal and Informal English

    Page 7 of 8

    Summary of Differences between Formal & Informal English

    Informal
    1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Active Voice Phrasal Verbs Direct Language Possible use of Slang Personal Form Little use of Conjunctions Few Revitalised Sentences Direct Style 1st Person Singular

    Formal
    Passive Voice Latinate Verbs Formulaic Language No use of Slang Nominator Linking Words Revitalised Sentences Modal Usage 1st Person Plural

    Page 8 of 8

    Business Language Services S.r.l.

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