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FFOORRMMAALL && IINNFFOORRMMAALL EENNGGLLIISSHH
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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
Business Language Services S.r.l. Page 2 of 8
LLaanngguuaaggee SSttyylleess
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
8
6
4
2
In
fo
rm
al
Fo
rm
al
Se
m
i-f
or
m
al
Formal and Informal English Page 3 of 8
RRuulleess ooff LLaanngguuaaggee SSttyylleess
The following rules apply to both written and spoken English.
Language Style: Rules
Company Person
Formal
Semi-formal Informal
Know name
of recipient?
Formal
Have spoken or
exchanged info?
Are on familiar
terms?
Yes
Dear Sir,
Dear Mr. Donald, Dear Guy
Don’t 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.
NoYes No
YesNo
Dear Sir or Madam,
analysis
Business Language Services S.r.l. Page 4 of 8
Different Styles between Informal & Formal English
The follow examples illustrate the main differences between informal and formal English.
1. Active & Passive Voice
2. Verb Form: Phrasal Verbs & Latinate
3. Language: Direct & Formulaic
4. Use of Slang
Our technician repaired the fault on 12th June.
Now it’s your turn to pay us.
Although the fault was repaired on 12th June,
payment for this intervention has still not been
received.
Informal
Formal
The company laid him off because he didn't
work much.
His insufficient production conducted to his
dismissal.
Informal
Formal
I’m sorry but …
I’m happy to say that …
We regret to inform you that …
We have pleasure in announcing that …
Informal
Formal
He had to get some money out of a hole in the
wall …
He withdrew the amount from an ATM.
Informal
Formal
Formal and Informal English Page 5 of 8
5. Personal Form & Nominators
6. Linking Words
7. Revitalised Sentences
8. Modal Usage
9. Singular & Plural Person
If you lose it, then please contact us as soon as
possible.
Any loss of this document should be reported
immediately …
Informal
Formal
The bank can’t find the payment you say you’ve
made.
Notwithstanding that the payment has been sent the
bank fails to acknowledge it.
Informal
Formal
Anybody or any company.
… any natural person who, and any legal entity
which …
Informal
Formal
If you need any help give us a call.
Should you require any assistance, please feel free
to contact us …
Informal
Formal
I can help you to solve this problem. Call me!
We can assist in the resolution of this matter.
Contact us on our toll-free number.
Informal
Formal
Business Language Services S.r.l. Page 6 of 8
Dictionary of Formal & Informal English
Type Informal Formal
Prep. About … Regarding / Concerning …
Idiom Agree with … Be bound by …
Conj. And As well as …
Idiom Bearing in mind Reference being made to …
Conj. Because … As a result of / due to (the fact) …
Verb Begin Commence
Conj. But While / Whereas
Adj. Careful / Cautious Prudential
Verb Carry out Effect
Verb Check Verify
Adj. Enough Sufficient
Verb Fill me in Inform / Tell
Verb Find out Ascertain
Verb Follow Duly observe
Verb Get Receive
Verb Get in touch Contact
Verb Go over Exceed
Verb Has to be Shall be
Verb Have to give Submit
Conj. If … Should …
Conj. If … or not. Whether … or not.
Idiom If you don't … Failing / Failure to…
Idiom If you've got any questions … Should you have any queries …
Idiom In accordance with … Pursuant to
Idiom In the red Overdrawn
Verb Involve Entail
Idiom Lost Inadvertently mislaid
Verb Make sure Ensure
Adj. Many Several / Numerous
Verb Order Authorise
Verb Pay Settle
Idiom Put in writing Provide written confirmation
Idiom Sorry! We regret …
Verb Supply Furnish
Verb Take away Withdraw
Verb Tell Disclose
Verb Trusted Entrusted
Idiom We don't want to do this … This a course of action we are anxious to
avoid …
Idiom We'll call the law … We will have no alternative but involving our
legal …
Idiom When we get … On receipt
Idiom Whenever we like … Without prior notice …
Verb Write (e.g. Cheque) Issue (e.g. Cheque)
Verb Written Shown / Indicated
Formal and Informal English Page 7 of 8
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
- can’t - 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 you’ve 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 haven’t produced enough
business for us.
10. The machine should work because it has been tested.
11. Our bank has told us that you haven’t made this month’s payment.
12. We can’t send you the engineering blueprints on disk until the full joint-venture agreement is signed in full
next month.
13. We’re too busy to go to London for the meeting in this period. Can you come over here?
14. Your client didn’t complete the documents properly. Please get him to do it and then send them back to us
as soon as possible.
15. If you’ve got any problems give me a call.
16. There’s a problem on the computer system. It won’t work between 10 and 12pm tomorrow.
17. This is because we think it’s necessary.
18. We’ll help you if you need it.
19. If we don’t receive payment we’ll call our lawyers.
20. We’ll give you 8 days to solve this problem.
Business Language Services S.r.l. Page 8 of 8
Summary of Differences between Formal & Informal English
Informal Formal
1. Active Voice Passive Voice
2. Phrasal Verbs Latinate Verbs
3. Direct Language Formulaic Language
4. Possible use of Slang No use of Slang
5. Personal Form Nominator
6. Little use of Conjunctions Linking Words
7. Few Revitalised Sentences Revitalised Sentences
8. Direct Style Modal Usage
9. 1st Person Singular 1st Person Plural