It is not very easy to learn the English language, however, it is not a herculean task either. The important thing is to ensure that you approach it in the right way. People mostly tend to mug up the grammar rules and refer to grammar books. These resources though useful are more like the tip of the iceberg as the real task lies in the learning of English from the native English speakers. To learn more about formal and informal English, you can join an online spoken English course.
How to Learn The English Language?
You need to understand that languages are not just learnt by phonetics, alphabets and other technical components. The important thing is to learn the English language correctly. For example, children copy their elders and do not start reading English before they start speaking. Pursuing a spoken English course from a reputed institute will help.
Use of Formal And Informal Language
Formal language is the language that we use in serious situations or when we are communicating with people we do not know well. Informal English on the other hand is used in situations that are much more relaxed and when people involved in the communication know each other well.
Formal language is the language that we mostly use during writing. Informal language on the other hand is the speaking language. At times though we do use informal language while writing. This is when we write postcards, letters or emails to friends. When we exchange texts via Whats app or Telegram, we tend to communicate in an informal language.
There are also certain instances when we use formal language also at the time of delivering a speech or a lecture. Most of the time the usage of English is neutral and therefore there is neither a formal nor an informal language used.
Formal and informal languages are associated with a particular grammar or vocabulary choice. In informal language, we often use contractions, and clauses without using relative pronouns and ellipsis. To sound more formal and polite, we tend to use modal verbs.
Example:
Can I suggest you try this new pen? ā Neutral
May I suggest you try this new pen? – Formal
Might I suggest you try this new pen? (Very formal)
We use formal English in various texts and situations as we use it in books, documents, news reports etc. Informal English on the other hand is used in daily conversations and personal letters.
Example
How are you doing today- Formal
What’s up? ā Informal
You need to know formal English because knowing this English helps you read a book, deliver a business presentation or write an official letter. On the other hand, if you want to understand and communicate with native English speakers, knowing informal English is important. Learn formal English better from a reputed online spoken English institute.
Difference between Formal and Informal Language
Ā· Formal and informal languages have different objectives. Everything starting from the choice of words to the tone and the ways the words are put together are different. Formal tone is less formal and this is the language that is used in writing professional emails and academic papers (like university assignments). When we use formal language, we do not use contractions, colloquialism or the first person pronouns like āIā or āWeā. Informal language is casual and more spontaneous in comparison to the formal language.
Ā· Formal language is typically used in carefully edited writing when the writer takes time to polish the text. Formal English also occurs in speech usually at a time when the speaker says something that was already prepared beforehand. On the other hand, during an informal conversation, the speaker speaks without any kind of preparation and does not edit the writing.
Ā· The sentences in informal English are much more complicated while the sentences used in informal conversations are simpler and much shorter.
Ā· In the formal English language, the standard of correctness is higher. Certain things are considered correct in informal language but are considered to be wrong in formal language. For example, āIāve made fewer mistakesā is a correct sentence in formal language whereas it is an incorrect sentence in informal language.
Ā· Informal English is improvised and sloppy and it contains useful everyday phrases. Phrasal verbs are used more often but in formal English, the phrasal verbs are mostly avoided. Words and phrases are pronounced in shortened sentences.
Example of formal language
You cannot introduce these changes because of a lack of funds.
The balloon was inflated.
The crowd was very violent during the protest.
Various types of research were conducted.
Example of informal language
You canāt introduce these changes due to lack of funds.
The balloon was blown up.
The mob was violent during the protest.
I conducted several research papers.
Acronym and Initialism
When you write an acronym or initialism for the first time in an essay, it is alright to write the full name and write the initialism or acronym in brackets. After that whenever you use it in that particular writing, you can use the short form. The best examples of acronyms are āTAFEā and āQANTASā.
Formal and Informal Style
Whether you will use formal or informal language will depend on the assignment- the subject, the purpose and the audience. In formal English, there is more use of standardized English and the sentence structure is also complex. There is also an infrequent use of personal pronouns and there is a lack of usage of slang and colloquial terms. In informal language, you can use colloquial vocabulary and the sentence structure is mostly short.
Rules That You Need to Know
There are certain rules that you need to follow during writing:
Standardized and Non-standardized English
Formal English affects the choice of vocabulary and the use of contractions and pronouns. In formal English, you use standardized English that is used in professional as well as business communications. It is English that follows the formal rules of the language. Informal English on the other hand is the non standardized English that uses regional and social language variations. This sort of English should only be used when there is a specific reason. For example, you can use it in a narrative to describe a particular person who has a regional dialect. Otherwise, it is essential to use standardized English.
Choice of Vocabulary
You need to adjust the vocabulary depending on the formality of the written work. For example, the words āinvestigateā, ācheck-outā and āexamineā have different levels of formality. You can use the word ācheck outā in informal writing but cannot use it in formal writing.
Contractions
Contractions are casual and if you want to write something much more formal, do not use contractions. The contractions in the negative sentences should be avoided all the more.
Pronouns
The formal language is much more informal and precise. Therefore using pronouns is restricted. When you are addressing an audience in formal writing, you should use passive voice or an adverbial clause in place of the personal pronoun.
Conclusion
It is not only important for you to learn how to use the English language. It is also important to learn the differences between formal and informal language. Informal language is used to talk to your friends and family or talk at a party. This sort of English has a relaxed tone. Contractions, slang, phrasal verbs and idioms are used regularly. This is the language that is mostly used during speaking. Formal language is used in a formal setting. It has a serious tone and you tend to be extremely polite. This is mostly used when you are at work or at the time of delivering a presentation. You use it more commonly at the time of writing essays, professional emails etc. It will be good to join an online spoken English course.
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