FORMAL AND

INFORMAL LANGUAGE
17/11/2021
SRAFFERTY@HIBS.EDU.VN
 LESSON OBJECTIVES

1. I can understand contractions and the use of them in informal language

2. I can identify and distinguish formal and informal language for appropriate situations

3. I can complete a Kahoot to demonstrate my understanding

 CHANGE THESE TO THEIR REGULAR FORM

We’ll
Isn’t
Aren’t
They’re
Shouldn’t
Haven’t
Mustn’t
Didn’t
You’d
They’ve
 AUXILIARY VERBS

• Auxiliary verbs are helping verbs because they generally appear with other verbs:

I must eat.
He has to dance.
We are running.

Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs!

e.g. Must walk, will study, should talk.
 CONTRACTIONS

• Shortened forms of auxiliary verbs

• Generally used in spoken English, but not formal English. Used in INFORMAL
ENGLISH.

I will  I’ll
I have to  I’ve to
I am  I’m
 ARE
If ‘are’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘a’ and
replace it with an apostrophe.

we are you are they are

= = =
we’re you’re they’re
 IS
If ‘is’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘i’ and
replace it with an apostrophe.

he is she is it is that is

= = = =
he’s she’s it’s that’s
 WILL
If ‘will’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘w’
and the ‘i’ and replace them both with an apostrophe.

I will you will he will she will

= = = =
I’ll you’ll he’ll she’ll

it will we will they will

= = =
it’ll we’ll they’ll
 HAD
If ‘had’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘h’ and the ‘a’ and
replace them both with an apostrophe.

I had you had she had

= = =
I’d you’d she’d

he had they had we had

= = =
he’d they’d we’d
 HAVE
If ‘have’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘h’ and the ‘a’ and
replace them both with an apostrophe.

I have you have we have they have

= = = =
I’ve you’ve we’ve they’ve
 NOT
If ‘not’ is one of the words in the contraction, remove the ‘o’ and replace it with
an apostrophe.

could not do not does not had not

= = = =
couldn’t don’t doesn’t hadn’t

have not is not should not would not

= = = =
haven’t isn’t shouldn’t wouldn’t

But watch out! can not = can’t (remove one n) will not = won’t
SLANG WORDS? 
SLANG: WORDS OR PHRASES THAT ARE VERY
INFORMAL
 SLANG AND DIALECT…

Slang is focused on the vocabulary. Dialect shows differences in grammar, vocabulary as well
as in pronunciation in different areas.

Slang is always informal. Dialect can be either informal or formal.

By use of a particular dialect, we can generally identify where someone is from.

e.g. Ireland - ‘I’m grand’ means ‘I’m okay’
WHEN DO WE USE INFORMAL LANGUAGE?
WHEN DO WE USE INFORMAL LANGUAGE?

• Speaking /writing/emails to friends and family

• Writing creatively

• Personal writing

• A speech in front of peers/friends (casual and friendly environment)

WHEN DO WE USE FORMAL LANGUAGE?
WHEN DO WE USE FORMAL LANGUAGE?

During a job interview or an application

Writing a letter of complaint or enquiry

Argumentative essays and debates

A Speech for a serious/important matter

 APOSTROPHE

An apostrophe is used to show possession  It is my friend’s dog

An apostrophe is used to make contractions  It’s my dog!

ADD IN ONE APOSTROPHE FOR EACH SENTENCE

It is a long story.

Sarahs parents are really nice.

My friends are not friendly.

 JOB APPLICATION

Yo ms. Brown,

Imma work for yo company soon. Can’t wait. It gonnna b great.

See u soon.
 JOB APPLICATION

Hello,

I’m writing about a job at your company! Are there any available?

I’m thinking about applying soon.

Talk to you later.

 JOB APPLICATION

Dear Mrs. Brown,

I’m writing to find out whether you have any jobs in your company this summer.

At the mo, I’m studying economics at uni.

I have been part-time in a shop and recently they promoted me to the role of manager.

I am enthusiastic. I work hard. I pay attention to detail.

VIDEO EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE

https://youtu.be/hdKYl8Tg_FQ

All of those contained examples of informal language!!!

Let’s watch a video exploring them with a formal example.

 • Professional (not personal)

• Polite

• Concise and clear

• Do not use contractions (I’m, we’re, can’t, etc.)

• Avoid repetitive simple sentences