Informal English

By: Ma’am Risa Elfana Masbuhin

Formal and Informal Language
Informal Usage Formal
every day Academic Setting
casual Reports
Relaxed Essays
Friends/family Business Setting
Social media Letters
no strict rules (don't care Emails
much about applying Reports
grammar rules )
Example 1
Informal: Imma swim in the pool on my
vacay.
Formal translation: I am going to swim
in the pool on my vacation.

Most fluent English speakers like to blend words, like I’m

going to becomes I’m gonna or Imma.
Regular Contractions
1.I am--->I’m
2.Are not---> Aren’t
3.Cannot---> Can’t
4.Do not--->Don’t
5.I would--->I’d
6.Should not--->Shouldn’t
7.Could not--->Couldn’t
8.She would--->She’d
9.He would not--->He wouldn’t
10.Has not--->Hasn’t
11.Had not--->Hadn’t
12.Have not--->Haven’t
13. Might not--->Mightn’t
14. I will--->I’ll
15. He will not--->He won’t
16. Is not--->Isn’t
17. She is--->She’s
18. He has--->He’s
19. That is--->That's
20. That has--->That’s
21. They are--->They’re
22. What will--->What’ll
23. Were not--->Weren’t
24. Let us--->Let’s
Example 2
He wanted to kiss her, but she’d (she had) already left
She’d (she would) go if she wasn’t sick.
Instead of saying has or is add an apostrophe
and s.
For example: She’s (she is) going home.
There’s (there has) been a mistake.
You can also replace us, and add an apostrophe
and s.
For example, let’s (let us) go.
Example 3
Imma knock y’all off your feet with this
marketing prezzie! Get ready folks!
Translation: I’m going to knock you all of
your feet with this marketing presentation. Get
ready folks!

(Please don’t say either version in a business meeting.)

Word Usage
Hesitation fillers:
well
let me think
hmm
Like
er
Informal
Well, this experience is one I will never forget.

Formal
Therefore, this is an experience I will never forget.
Let’s take a look at some
informal contractions!
1.I’m going to ---> I’m gonna or Imma (Imma--some, but not
many, spell it I’ma)
2.I don’t know--->I dunno
3.I shouldn’t--->I shoulda
4.I couldn’t--->I coulda
5.I wouldn’t---> I woulda
6.I had to--->I hadda
7.I have to---> I hafta
8.She has to---> She hasta
9.I want to--->I wanna
10.I have to go--->I gotta go
11.I need to--->I needa
12.What’re you doing---?What-chu doing (or what-cha)
“Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let
you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best
videos of all time!
Which informal contraction did he use?
Which regular contraction did he use?
TranslationYo, Taylor, I am really happy
for you, I am going to let you finish, but
Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!
 Try It Out
Kelsey: Hey, Tanya! How are ya? What-cha doing today?
Tanya: Hello, Kelsey. I am fine. How are you?
Kelsey: I’m good! Imma play soccer after school today. Wanna
come?
Tanya: I do not think I can play soccer after school.
Kelsey: No problem! Do you think you can play the day after
tomorrow? I can’t play tomorrow ‘cause I gotta go to the dentist.
Gross.
Tanya: I cannot play soccer the day after tomorrow either. I have
not studied for the exam on Friday. Let us plan for two Saturdays
from now?
Kelsey: Okay! I’ll mark it on my calendar! I hafta study for the
exam, too. Maybe we can study together?
Tanya: I am going to study with Mark, so you cannot come. I am so
sorry.
Kelsey: That’s okay! Enjoy your cute date with Mark! I gotta go
play soccer now. See ya!
Tanya: See you again.
1. I am fine
Some fluent English speakers may respond to How are
you? with I am fine. But most native speakers in North
America respond with I’m good. Sometimes I’m
fine insinuates that you are not doing well.
In fact, most only respond to How are you? with I’m
fine if they want to let you know that they aren’t doing
well, but they don’t want to talk about it. It can be taken as
a passive-aggressive response. However, it may not be the
same in every country or region.
2. See you again
People may use see you again in books, songs, or poems (it
pairs nicely with the word friend). But it’s rarely used in an
English conversation. Here are some
other ways to say goodbye:
• See ya
• Later
• I gotta go
• See you soon
• Have a good one
• Bye
• Bye-bye