1. Overview, definition and features
Formal English
Overview, definition and features

2. What is Formal English?
The best way to think about formal (and informal) English is in comparison to how we dress:
If you hang out with friends, you would expect to dress informally.
If attending an interview, you would expect to dress smartly.
You can think about language in the same terms.

3. The situation is what counts
In situations requiring it (interviews, talking to judges, meeting a girlfriend’s family for the first time) you are expected to ‘dress up your language’ or to ‘speak more formally.’
The situation is very important in deciding how we speak, and if you do not dress up your language suitably it will create the illusion of either ignorance or laziness.

4. Features of formal English
Formal English is generally calm and precise.

5. Features of formal English
We use very formal verbs, adjectives and nouns in formal English where possible.
e.g. I visited the toilet.
Not I went for a pee!

6. Features of formal English
Formal verbs, adjectives and nouns can create tension and drama in language, for example in nature documentaries.

7. Features of formal English
Formal English is generally clearer and slower than informal English (especially when spoken).
Ways in which it can be clearer:
No slang
It follows grammatical rules
Only complete sentences will be used

8. Features of formal English
Formal English is usually active and not passive.
Active- The young child kicked the ball
Passive- The ball was kicked by the young child

9. Very formal Quite formal Neutral Quite informal Very informal
Levels of formality
Language does not always fit into one box of formality. It may be best to think in terms of a scale to help us understand when to use the correct form of the language:
Very formal Quite formal Neutral Quite informal Very informal

10. Where would you put the following situations on the formality chart?
Levels of formality
Where would you put the following situations on the formality chart?
Speaking in court
Meeting your girlfriend’s parents for the first time in a pub
Talking to a police officer
Speaking to a friend at the mall
Talking to a classmate who is not a close friend
Talking to your teacher at university about your work