Download Formal and informal English

Understanding Usage
How is language used differently in different
situations?
Standard and nonstandard English
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
Words with related meanings
Double negatives
Formal and informal English
Review A
Review B
How is language used differently in
different situations?
Most of us speak and write several languages—
even if we only know English.
You probably don’t talk to
your grandparents the same
way you talk to your friends.
Your English papers
probably don’t look like
your text messages.
How is language used differently in
different situations?
Do you know that you speak and write in several
different languages even if the only one you know
is English?
Audience
To whom are you
speaking or writing?
Purpose
Why are you
speaking or writing?
[End of Section]
Standard and nonstandard English
American English is rich and varied, with many
distinct dialects.
No dialect is better or more
correct than another.
Each ethnic dialect or regional dialect has its own
rules and unique features of grammar, vocabulary,
and pronunciation.
Standard and nonstandard English
The kind of English you are expected to use in
school and work situations is called standard
English.
We learn standard English so that we can
communicate with and understand people from
different regions and cultures.
Standard and nonstandard English
Nonstandard English is suitable in casual
speaking and writing situations. It can also be
used when you are writing dialogue.
Nonstandard does not mean
“wrong.” It means “not
appropriate in situations in which
standard English is expected.”
The rest of this lesson will help
you avoid some common mistakes
in using standard English.
[End of Section]
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
In English, many words sound alike but are spelled
differently and have different meanings.
It’s/its
It’s is a contraction of it is or it has.
It’s not easy.
It’s been a long time.
it’s = it is
it’s = it has
Its is a possessive form that means “belonging
to it.”
That tree has not lost its leaves yet.
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
It’s/its
it is
I hate this lock. It’s hard to remember
its combination.
belonging to
it (the lock)
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
They’re/there/their
They’re is a contraction of they are.
They’re walking to school.
There is an adverb that means “at that place.”
There is also used to begin a sentence.
Have you been there yet?
There is too much pepper in this!
“at that place”
begins sentence
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
They’re/there/their
Their is the possessive form of they, meaning
“belonging to them.”
Did they forget their books?
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
They’re/there/their
They are
belonging
to them
They’re building their new house right there.
at that
place
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
You’re/your
You’re is a contraction of you are.
You’re always on time.
Your is the possessive form of you, meaning
“belonging to you.”
Your coat is in the closet.
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
You’re/your
you are
If you’re going to the ice skating
pond, don’t forget your hat.
belongin
g to you
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
Who’s/whose
Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has.
Who’s at the door?
who’s = who is
Who’s won the most games?
who’s = who has
Whose is the possessive form of who, meaning
“belonging to whom.”
Whose book is this?
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
Who’s/whose
who is
belonging
to whom
Who’s the man whose wallet was stolen?
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
Accept/except
Accept is a verb that means “to receive.”
The teacher did not accept the late homework.
Except is usually a preposition that means “not
including.”
Everyone left except Jack.
preposition
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
Could of/should of/would of
When the word have is not stressed in speaking, it
sounds like of.
Write could have, not could of.
She could have
of called
called
us. us.
Write should have, not should of.
I should have
of called
called
herher
back.
back.
Write would have, not would of.
I would have
of called.
called.
Words confused or misused
Words with similar sounds
On Your Own
For each sentence, choose the correct word or words
in parentheses.
1. The students enjoyed (they’re/their) field trip.
2. (Whose/Who’s) umbrella is this?
3. We (should of/should have) left earlier.
4. (It’s/Its) supposed to rain tomorrow.
5. That teacher won’t (except/accept) late
homework.
[End of Section]
Words confused or misused
Words with related meanings
Some pairs of words are confused because their
meanings are so close to each other.
Bring/take
Bring means “to come
carrying something.”
Bring that paper to me.
Take means “to go
carrying something.”
Now take it to the house.
Words confused or misused
Words with related meanings
Fewer/less
Fewer is used with plural nouns.
We picked fewer strawberries
this year than we did last year.
Less is used with singular nouns.
That means we’ll have less jam
this year than we had last year.
Fewer tells “how many.” Less tells
“how much.”
Words confused or misused
Words with related meanings
Good/well
Good is always an adjective. Good modifies
nouns. Do not use good to modify a verb. Use
the adverb well.
adj.
Sam had a good role in the play.
noun
adverb
He sang well too.
verb
Words confused or misused
Words with related meanings
Good/well
Well is usually an adverb that means
“competently,” but it is also used as an
adjective to mean “healthy.”
adverb
Sam sang well today.
Verb
adverb meaning
“competently”
adj.
Sam feels well again.
Noun
adjective meaning
“healthy”
Words confused or misused
Words with related meanings
On Your Own
For each sentence, choose the correct word or words
in parentheses.
1. She felt (good/well) when the audience cheered.
2. This recipes uses (fewer/less) sugar than that
recipe does.
3. (Bring/take) me a glass of water from the kitchen,
please.
4. He plays the piano (good/well).
5. There are (fewer/less) peaches on the trees this
year.
[End of Section]
Double negatives
In a double negative, two or more negative
words are used when only one is needed.
negative #2
I don’t have no
no time
time left.
left.
negative #1
Double negatives often occur when not is part
of a contraction.
Double negatives
No/nothing/none
These words are
clearly negative. Do
not use these words
with another negative
word.
To fix a double
negative, change
either negative word.
That answer doesn’t
make no sense.
negative #2
negative #1
That answer doesn’t
make any sense.
That answer makes no
sense.
Double negatives
Hardly/scarcely
These words
convey a negative
meaning. Do not
use them with
another negative
word.
negative #1
I can’t hardly turn the key.
To fix a double negative
like this, delete n’t or not.
I can hardly turn the key.
negative #2
Double negatives
On Your Own
Correct the double negative in each sentence.
1. My brother doesn’t need no help with homework.
2. You shouldn’t put nothing on that shelf.
3. There isn’t hardly enough pie for two people.
[End of Section]
Formal and informal English
The term formal English is used for language
that is appropriate for speaking and writing at
school or in work situations.
Very
impressive!
Awesome!
Informal English indicates
standard usage that is
common in conversations
and everyday writing, such
as e-mails.
That’s
yucky!
That’s
unpleasant!
Formal and informal English
Speeches
Formal English
expected
Essays, reports
Tests and exams
Job interviews
Everyday conversations
notes to friends, e-mails
Journal entries
Some newspaper or
magazine writing
Informal
English okay
Formal and informal English
Formal English
Informal English
Sentence structure:
Sentence structure:
• longer
• shorter
• more complex
• simpler
Word choice:
Word choice:
• Precise
• Simple
• Sometimes technical
or scientific
• Colloquialisms, slang,
contractions
Tone:
Tone:
• Serious, dignified
• Conversational
Formal and informal English
Many words and phrases that
are fine in informal situations
should be avoided in formal
situations.
How come
In formal situations, use why.
Informal
Formal
How come you didn’t call?
Why didn’t you call?
Formal and informal English
Kind of/sort of
In formal situations, use rather or somewhat.
Informal
Formal
I feel kind of tired.
I feel somewhat tired.
Formal and informal English
Try and
In formal situations, use try to.
You must try and relax!
You must try to relax!
Formal and informal English
On Your Own
Revise each sentence, changing the informal usage to
formal, standard usage.
1. It was kind of chilly outside yesterday.
2. Our teacher wants us to try and finish the book
tonight.
3. How come you weren’t in school today?
[End of Section]
Review A
For each sentence, choose the correct word in parentheses,
according to formal, standard usage.
1. There were (less/fewer) students in class today than
yesterday.
2. He is the only runner (who’s/whose) fast enough to win
the race.
3. You (could of/could have) given me a ride home.
4. A bird built (its/it’s) nest in that tree.
5. Everyone got lost (accept/except) Jim.
[End of Section]
Review B
For each sentence, circle any incorrect or informal usage.
Write C if a sentence is correct according to formal, standard
usage.
1. Can you tell me how come the bus is late?
2. I thought she sang good in the movie.
3. Don’t forget to take your keys when you leave.
4. There isn’t hardly room in the closet for this box.
5. He ought to of started his project sooner.
[End of Section]
The End