Formal & Informal English

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)
∙Formulaic
For example:We regret to inform you that …
We have pleasure in announcing that …∙Direct
For example:I’m sorry but …
I’m happy to say that …
∙Words and phrases are sometimes pronounced in a shortened and simplified way, e.g. Lemme go!, I'm doin' fine, Whassup?, Whatcha gonna do?
∙Modal Usage
Should you require any assistance,
please feel free to contact us …
If you need any help give us a call.
∙Singular
We can assist in the resolution of this matter.Contact us on our toll-free number.∙Plural Person
I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!
Conclusion
Formal English:
Formal language doesn't use contractions.
Formal language uses fewer phrasal verbs.
Formal English uses more vocabulary derived from French and Latin.
Formal English uses more past tenses (remote forms) of modal auxialiries. A formal instruction may well use 'should' instead of 'must'.
Formal English uses more indirect language- the passive is more common, making it less personal.
Formal English uses more synonyms and doesn't repeat the same vocab as much. Formal English is better organised and thought out.
Informal English:
Informal English uses contractions and changes words a lot in connected speech. Informal English uses slang and forms that might be wrong in formal English. Informal English is used mainly in spoken language, but also in emails (except many professional ones) and a lot of fiction.
Written & Spoken English
Summary
1.Brief introduction of Written & Spoken English
2.Main differences
3.Conclusion
Brief introduction of Written & Spoken English
Both the Norman and the Germanic influences on English are important as they reveal the formal and informal components of English today. As a result written English has a strong formal content with French and Latin influences such as perceive,amendment and canterbury,whereas the Germanic influence relates more to spoken English,with words such as 'took' 'skin' 'call' originating from Old Norse and Old English.One of the main differences between written and spoken English is the use of formal English for writing and informal language for speech.
Written English
Written English is more formal.It is the language which is not oral and
which is used to communicate with others in a more or less a formal
situation.
Spoken English
Spoken English, as a language is quite relaxed. This means that in many occasions people speak and their English grammar is not quite correct.It sounds informal and is often used to communicate with others in real life situation.
Main differences
1.grammar
2.vocabulary
3.sounds
anization
Grammar
The grammar of spoken English is usually simpler, and shorter than written English. Written forms are more complex, and may contain more clauses, and passive forms. The sentences may run longer than spoken English. This means listening to English conversation should be easier from an thinking point of view.
For example:
Written English:Would you like to go out to lunch?
Spoken English:You wanna go out for lunch?
Vocabulary
The vocabulary of Written English is also more inclined to use more precise wording and hence more difficult vocabulary. More explaining is done in written English to avoid misunderstandings that can otherwise be avoided up when two people are talking to each other. Explaining in detail in writing needs more difficult grammar and vocabulary. This also means English that is spoken should be easier to understand from a pure thinking point of view.
Sounds
When we speak English, the sounds often run together; forms like "wanna" and "gonna" and "whatcha" occur commonly in speaking, but do not appear in written English, even when it is read out loud. This makes it more difficult to understand conversational English despite the simpler grammar and vocabulary. Listening for these sound changes is an important listening skill that must be practiced. Without practice in this skill, listening to English is often far more difficult than reading written English. Of course, when English is spoken, it also does not remain after it is spoken (the sound is finished and gone), so the thinking and understanding must be faster than the case with reading. This can be avoided with recorded English which students can (and should) listen to
again and again.
Organization
The organization styles is different between these two forms of English. Written English organization tends to be more linear, proceeding from point A through to point Z. Spoken English tends to have more repetitions, reversals, re-starts, jumping to different topics before proceeding to the final endpoint, if there is any. This tends to make listening to English easier for students, and live (as opposed to recorded) English is sometimes not as difficult as they fear.
Conclusion
Written and Spoken English are not strictly required.It id decided by different situations.For example,speech differs dramatically to writing in that its whole function involves a separate,with a specific shared focus.But you still need to use the kind of written English if you are in formal situation.
Trying to speak English as it is written helps you make sure that you don’t allow your standard of grammar to slip. In spoken language, everything we talk will give some meaning and the listener is not particular about the grammatical correctness of the language. He/she is interested only to get the subject but when it comes to written English, everybody will keenly observe all these things and a small mistake,
becomes a big issue. In my opinion, people who write good English will definitely increase their spoken English skills.。