Page 326 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

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- FORMAL: I am (very) grateful to you. NEUTRAl.IINFORMAL; Thank you.
INFORMAL; Thanks.
For structures used in polite requests and questions. see 435-7.
For fonnal and infonnal ways of using people's names and titles. see 363.
For the language used in particular social situations. see 545.
For taboo language. see 575. For slang. see 533.
For the use of out-of-date grammar and vocabulary in ceremonies and other situations. see 392.
kinds of English (5): variation and change
Languages change over time. Younger people adopt newer forms of expression. while older people often resist change; so even people who speak the same standard language do not speak it in exactly the same way. There are several reasons for change.
communicative need
Several centuries ago. standard English had two second-person pronouns: thou (singular) and ye (plural). Modem English uses you for both. But people still feel the need to distinguish singular and plural. and so expressions like you
guys (used for both men and women) are beginning to function as second person plural pronouns.
- FORMAL: NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: INFORMAL: What?
- FORMAL; NEUTRAL/INFORMAL; INFORMAL:
repair mend (BrE)
fix
acceptable. satisfactory all right
- FORMAL: NEUTRAL/INFORMAL: INFORMAL: OK
kinds of English (5): variation and cbange 312
Subject and object forms of pronouns (e.g. I and me) are used differently in
formal and informal language (see 429). Compare:
- FORMAL: It was she who first saw what to do. INFORMAL: Itwasherthatfirstsawwhattodo.
- FORMAL: Whom did they elect? INFORMAL: Who did they elect?
Ellipsis (leaving out words - see 177-182) is more common in informal language. Compare:
- FORMAL: Have you seen Mr Andrews?
INfORMAL: SeenJohll?
- FORMAL: We think that it is possible.
INFORMAL: We think it's possible. 3 vocabulary
Some words and expressions are used mainly in formal situations; in neutral or informal situations other words or expressions are used. And some words and expressions are only used in informal situations. Some examples:
- FORMAL: NEUTRAL/INFORMAL:
- FORMAL; NEUTRAL/INFORMAL;
commence
begin. start
alight (from a bus or train)
getoJf
I beg your pardon?
Pardon? Sorry? (AmE Excuse me? Pardon me?)
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