99 Formal and informal English 202 Most English chat you learn can be used in a wide range of situations, But you will also hear or see language that is formal or informal, and sometimes very formal or very informal. You need to be more careful with this language because it may not be suitable in certain situations. (They are marked fl and infin! throughout the book.) Formal English Formal English is more common in writing than speaking. It is found in notices, business letters, and legal English; but you will also hear examples in spoken English Cafe notice: Only food purchased (= bought) here may be eaten on the premises (= here) Police statement in court: [ apprehended (= stopped) the accused outside the supermarket Theatre announcement: The play will commence (= start) in two minutes. Formal business situation: The meeting will resume (= start again) this afternoon at 2 p.m. Lawyer: My client had a broken ankle. Thus (= so) he could not have driven the car. Formal letter: I regret to inform you (= am sorry to say) that we are unable to (= can’t) grant (= give) you Announcement: If you require (= need) further assistance (= more help), please contact Outside a pub: Parking for patrons (= customers) only. Informal English In general, informal language is more common in spoken English than written English. Certain types of language are often informal: — most uses of get are informal (See Unit 21 for more details) — many phrasal verbs are informal (See Units 16 and 17 for more details) — many idioms are informal (See Unit 18 for more details) Here are some examples using words from above and other common informal words: Thad to go and pick up (= collect) the kids (= children) from school. My flat is very handy for the shops. (= near the shops and very convenient) T managed to fix up (= arrange/make) an appointment for 7.30. I thought the book was terrific (= marvellous). Most of the students are bright (= intelligent) but one or two are really thick (= stupid) I offered him ten quid (= pounds) but the guy (= man) wasn’t interested. I reckon (= think) we'll get (= obtain) the money pretty (= quite) soon ‘What's up? (= What's the matter?) We must get in touch with them (= contact them) very soon. Do you fancy going out? (= Would you like to go out?) Note the -ing form after faney ‘When you get (= reach/arrive) there, have a word with (= speak to) someone at reception. P'm just going to the loo (= toilet). Slang ‘This is a form of very informal language. It includes words used by particular groups of people (e.g. some young people may refer to ‘drugs’ as dope), and also words which many people think are impolite and unnacceptable in most situations, You should probably nor use these words, but some of them are quite common . The word piss (= urinate / go to the toilet) for example, is often used metaphorically in these slang expressions: piss off (= go away); he was pissed (= drunk); it’s pissing with rain (= it is raining heavily) English Vocabulary in Use (pre-intermediate & intermediate)99.1 99.2 99.3 99.4 Exercises Put the words on the left into the correct columns in the table. purchase handy ———_— loo ——e ! Formal Informal thus terrific ~ quid commence apprehend reckon guy | Now find a synonym for each of the words from this list. therefore toilet convenient —_cateh/stop—start_ = man start again pound think — fantastic buy Rewrite these sentences in more informal English. 1 When are you going to collect your bicycle? 2 Most of these children are very clever. 3 I think ie'll commence quite soon, 4 Would you like to go out for a meal? 5. My flat is five minutes from where I work, thus it is very convenient. 6 What's the matter? 7 The man in the marker wanted twenty pounds for this ring. 8 Where did you purchase that book? 9 They'll never apprehend him. 10. I'm just going to the toilet. Now rewrite this letter in more suitable formal English. Dear Mr Collins We're really sorry to say that we can’t lend y hundred quia thet you need, ible loan for some of the money. you are still main office neger. He will b Yours. sincerely Dictionaries will tell you if a word is formal or informal. Use your dictionary to find out if these underlined words are cither formal or informal. 1 I couldn’t attend the meeting. 4 He’s a nice bloke. 2 I thought the fiim was a_drag. 5. Smoking isn’t permitted. 3. Someone has pinched my pen. English Vocabulary in Use (preintermediate & intermediate) 203