Nutes
English8
Two Levelsof StandardEnglish
FormalEnglish
FormalEnqlishusestraditionalstandardsof correctness.lts
sentencestructuiesareoftencomplex,and it usesa widevocabulary.
of formalEnglish:
Somecharacteristics
areused. Forexample,do notisusedinsteadof
1. No contractions
don't,andit is is usedinsteadof 3.
2. Sfangis neverused. Wordssuchas phonyarenot acceptable.
"a
3. The pronounyou ts neverusedto mean person".A specificnounor
I
the oronounone is usedinstead.
structureare used. A
4. Precisewordingand correctgrammatical
notformal
is generally
thatsoundslikeeverydayconversation
sentence
English.
English
Informal
in tone. lt usesa smaller
lnformalEnqlishis conversational
vocabularythanl6rmalEnglish,andthe sentencestructureis less
complex.
are acceptablein informalEnglish.
1. Contractions
specialized
2. Wordsandphrasesusedin friendlyconversations,
popular
if not
spofls
and
expressions,
as
terms,
such
vocabulary
areaccePtable.
overused,
3. The pronounyou maybe usedin a generalway.
morehumorous,
can be looserand moreconversational,
4. Sentences
personal.
ordinary,
everydayones.
Mostof the wordsusedare
or more
CLASS
OAT€
of Standard
Engtish
lit.Tl r*o Levels
FormalEnglish
FormalEnglishusestraditionalstandards
ol correctness.
It oftenhascomplexsentence
structur€s
and
usesa wide vocabolary,
WRIT'NGFOBMALENGLISH
l _ Contraclions
shouldnot be us€d.
2. SlanSis neverused.
3. TheproDoun
you shouldnot be usedin a generalway
lo refer
4. Coneclgrammatjcal
structures
andpr€cisewordingshouldb€
Inlormal English
InformalEnglishis conversational
in tone.It usesa smallervocabulary
and short€rsent€nces
thanformal
English.
WBITINGINFORMALENGLISH
L Conlractions
are acceptable.
2. Popularexpressions
areacleprableif theyarenotoverused.
3. Thepronounyou maybe usedin a €eneralway.
4- Senlences
maybe looseandconversational.
..-)
.r
EXERCISEA: RecognizingFormaland IntormatEngtish. Labeteachsentence
belowf (tormal)or
,/ (inlormal).
EXAMPLE;
Insteadof planningthe partycarefuy, Juanitadecidedto ptayit by€ar
1. Youdon'thaveto cookin a fancyway to cookwell.
2. In preColumbiantimes,somePlainsIndianswerenomadic._
purportto inlormconsumers;
3. Advertisements
lheyactuallyaddress
theconsume{s'
hidden
feelings.
4. Ralphwasoverwhelmed
by the pretentiousness
of the otherguestsat theparty._
you
The
5.
cursorshows
wherethe nextletteryou typewill appear.
_
party
6. Wendycouldn'tmakeit to the
becauseshewassick€rthana dog._
7. RogeisbehaviorreallyrickedJulieolf. _
8. Somereadersresortto literaturenot to find out the truthaboutlife but to escaDefrom it.
9. Youhaveto practiceto do this trick successfully.
_
plants
10. Perennials
are
that annuallyproduceflowersand seedfromthesam€rootStnrc{ure.
EXERCISEB: Uslnq Formal English. R€writethe fiveinformals€r{€nces
you identifr€din txerciseA
usingformalEnglish.
F)(AM?LS: Insteadof ptannine thetarty catefull!/.Maty deciakdto imprcpiseascircumstances
dictated.
l.
2.
3.
4.
5.
@ 1947f.€nlice-hall, 1nc
69
uLAr,s -
NAI\4E-
DATE
' 'I
n
e
P
n
n
c
r p aPllrts
€ of Verbs
lrz.rl
RegularVerbs
the presentparticiple,the past,and the pastparticiple.
Everyverbhasfour principalparts:th€ present,
verbsformthe pastand pastpanicipleby adding-edor -d to the presentform.
Regular
PRINCIPALPAATSOF FEGULARVEBBS
Pres€nl
look
inrorm
move
PresenlParticiple
(am) lookint
(am) 'nrormiog
(am) mo'/ing
(arn)using
Past
looked
informed
noved
used
Past Pa.tlclple
(have)looked
ihave)informed
(have)moved
(have)used
the lour principalpartsare usedaloneor with helpingverbs.
In sentences
SENTENCES
USINGTHE PRINCIPALPARTSOF CILL
P/esenarI .d/1 my aunl everyu/eek.
hesent Podiciple:I an calrlng Dr. Johnsonlhis mornang.
Pdsr.Sh€cdled to invile me lo a party.
PastPaticiple: He hascoll€d threedillerent stores-
A: ldentifying the PrincipalPartsot RegularVerbs. Underlinetheverbor verbphrase
EXEBCTSE
Thenidentirythe principalpartusedto lorm theverb.
in eachsentence.
EXAMPLI:We Ua!9b94the tennis match.
,dsl
l. I writea columnfor the schoolnewspaper,
2. Garywaitedhalf an hour for the bus.
3. Karenis visitingher relativesin lowa.
4. Areyou listeningto the explanation?
5. The speakerhad paused for a moment.
6. Theywerewearingtheir basketballuniforms.
7. lt4r.Kellycoachedthe footballteamlastseason.
to packa flashlisht.
8. Amyhadrcmembered
a numberof su.prises.
9. Weareplanning
music.
10. Thesemusiciansusuallyplay somecontempomry
EXERCISEB: Ljslng Prlncipal Parts ot RegularVerba, Writethe formof theverbin parentheses
thatcoftectlyconipletesthe sentencebeeinnine
We are Oegin) the project tomorrow.
EXAMPLE:
all his life.
L Kevinhas{live) in Kentuclry
2. TheplayeFwere(discuss)theirstrategies.
everyday.
3. I still (exercise)
4. Weha!€ fagree)to meetat 7 P.M.
5. Beforehe spoke,the entedain€r(smil€)at the audience.
6. Frankhad aheady(perform) his act before I arriv€d
7. He is {attempt)to run a lour'minutemile.
Jennifer(promise)shewouid ioin our group.
8. Yesterday
9. Kennethis (practice)a new songon his clarinet.
thatyou makeseveralchang€s.
10. I am (srrggest)
70
@ 1987Prentice-Hall,
hc
Nafle
ll.1
C1as6
Date
Two Levels of Standar:d English
ForDal English
283.
EXERCISEA: Choose the more fornal
should have three ars 3Dd 2 brs.)
Exanplet
Answerr
l.
2,
3.
4.
5.
284.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a.
b.
a,
b.
a.
b.
2.
3.
4.
5.
285.
you
Thatrd never rrake it in this school.
That would never be acceptable in this school.
Onewould be aoazed at the difficulty.
yourd be aBaz€d at how tough it can ie.
Anyone nho cares should not do that.
Anyonewho cares shouldn,t do that.
A nunber of nistakes destroyed the effect.
A lor of oistakes r^r.ecked the effect.
Yor shouldn't goof off so nuch if you wanr berr€r grades.
Students should not waste tine if they want better grades.
Example:
Ansner:
lv
(Hint:
a. Thatrs a rotten ldea. / b. That is a poor idea.
b
EXERCISEB:
1.
senteoce in each pair,
Choose the more formal sentence in each pair.
a. larhyare we confined here? / b, Why're rre €tuck here?
a
the tef y€1led at the coach for interferins.
The referee critictzed the coachrs interfe;ence.
You could see alt kind of starues and other thinss.
Visitors could see a variety of statues and othei artwork.
The exax0ination proved to be quite easy,
The exao turned out to be a real cIflch.
They lri1l soon be flnlshed.
They'11 be fini€h€d pretty quick noe,
tly dad says itrs okay for boys to cry.
My father says lt i6 all right for boys ro cry.
C:
Choosethe more foroal
sentence in each pair.
a. You can't be su{€ of aoything tlEse days.
b.
one can be sure of nothing today.
\r
a . A lot of teens give 1n when thelr frieDds say so.
A 1ot of tennag€rs glve in to pe€r pressure.
The Presldent concluded lrith an anecdote about Abrahao Lincoln.
b . The President finished up lrith a story about Itonest Abe,
You can count on it:
H€rs good at keepirg bis q,ord.
one can depeDd on hin:
He keeps his prooises.
Coach Johoson wiU p€rsona1ly present rhe tiiophies.
The coach t'111 hand out the trophles himself.
When you're baby-sitting,
you can play gao€s r,rith th€ klds or
read to th€n.
Baby sitter€
cao play €ao€s eith the €h11dreo o! r€a.d to thein.
O 1987Prentice.Hall,
Inc.
103
11.1
Two Levels oI Standard English
Inforoal
285.
EDglish
each seotence below as formal or informal.
ldentify
EXERCISEAi
Five senteDces are forDal, and five are infornal.)
Exanple:
Answer:
I.
2.
3,
4.
5.
6.
7.
89.
I0.
287.
Date
clas6
Nane
The elevation
fornal
increased gradually
(Hln t :
as ne Ptoceeded.
A basic essay includ€s an lntroduction, a body' and a conclusion'
of cettain ru1e6.
urged a lelaxation
The petitioners
Just avoid hirD today; he'1l be cooled off by tomorton.
The pitcher pegged the ball to first,
I'd go see that movie again any old tioe.
The diary portrayed the hardshlPs of life on the frootiet.
You should start traiDin8 the pup rhen itrs about three Eonths o1d.
Jake barreled down the hall and into Room 5.
Records should be stored upright and away froro heat sources.
incantation held Str Lionel transfixed.
The oagtclan's
EXERCISEB:
Identify
each sentence below as forEal
or ioforroal.
Example: You shouldrve seen that lab!
inforoal
Answ€r:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6,
7.
8.
9.
10,
288.
shetd lost so nuch ldeight you couldn't recognize her.
to retain water helps ther[ sulvlve during droughts.
This ability
We clobbered the Bears; they didn't have a chance.
Th€ €xpedition r'as hampered by insufficlent
P1anoin8.
When you're feeliDg 1ow, tly to get lnvolved io soEething active'
pieces.
The L'ind snashed the shed into about a oilllon
younger students.
exanPle
fo!
to
set
an
have
a
responsibility
We
fioanclaf district.
g
r
e
a
t
i
D
t
h
e
c
o
n
g
e
s
t
i
o
o
i
s
c
a
u
s
i
n
g
Construction
N o w o n d e r P a r nh a s n r t c a l l e d - - t h e p h o n e r s o f f t h e h o o k .
John'11 get huffy if you don't ask hls advice.
EXERCISEC:
Exaople:
Answer i
l.
2.
3,
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
104
Identify
each senteDce below as fornal
The response far
forDal
v
or 1nfotna1.
exceeded $hat hed been anticiPated.
Gale force winds puffi0eled the coast, sPreading havoc evetywhete.
lt.
You can be proud of your contry and sti1l critlcize
the
pervaded
is
the
\.7eeks
befole
the capital
A festive air
coronation.
c411, the birds winged their ray 6outh.
Answering sorDelnstiDctive
If anybodyrs finished with your part, I could use e hand over here.
That fog \ras like pea soup; you couldDtt see your hand in ftont of
your fac€,
will be required to Eake fuIl restitution.
Everyone r,/ho participated
the two entrieE.
paid to delaif clearly differentlates
Th€ attention
cathy wontt g€t a rnov€ on unless re yell at her again.
Raooo has an ihternational
Itaving traveled extensively,
PersPective.
@ 1987Prentic€-Hall,Inc.
\,
Class
Date
Vorieties
ol English
Formal and Informal English
EXERCISEA: Wdtewhethereachsentence
usesfoftnalot infutfialEnglish-If it usesinformal
En8lish, identify th€ colloquialism used.
Example Don't tinker with the conhols, please.
Answen inJormal
tinker
1. Theconholpanelis delicate.
2. Wer,r''illscootout of herc in five minutes.
3, The astronautsare rcady to rou.
4. Theyhavebeenpreparingfor months.
5. Sevenl of them have the jitters.
EXERCISEB: Write the more formal word or phrasefrom the choicein parentheses.
Example The law was (declared,called)unconstitutional.
Answer: declared
't.
Mdny&ids,students)
drereadingbelowdverdge.
2. (You,One)may not useschoolbuildingsafterhours.
3. I felt (up,happy)aboutmy testresults:
4. My homework assigment(gaveme chills, unnerved me).
5. (Lots of Many) studentscomplained to the teacher.
Perhaps(we'lt we shall) protest formally7. (I /ho's going to, Who will) help me draft a letter?
8. I (do notcare,couldn'tcareless)ifhe failsme.
9. (Flunling out Failing) seemsunlilely, however.
10.I must (s{andup for,defend)whal is right.
EXERCISEC; Rewrite eachsentencein informal gnglish.
Example: They are involved in many athletic endeavors.
Answen They play a lot of sports.
1. Wespent a memorableevening at the theater.
2. Afiists must register to participate.
3- Did the attomeys negotiate a settlement?
4. Audience participation was encouraged.
@Prenlice{lall,lnc.
Elements
of Writing. Varjelies
ofEnglish
29
Name
Class
Date
Slang and Clich6s
EXERCISEA: Match eachslang or clich6d e,xpressionwith its morc formal meaning.
Exalnple: 1. far out
_ 1. blast
like a drownedrat
_2.
ditsy
_3.
messup
_4.
chill out
_5.
a. splendid
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
relax
senseless
err
good time
soaked
EXERCISEB: Rewrite eachsentence,replacing slang and clich€swith more formal language.
Exanple: The three friends chatter€d like monkeys.
Answer: The thrce fiiends chatteied 4llqlelgly.
l. Pay attention! You seembununed out today
2. Wasn't his description of the snakesgross?
3. The overloadedrowboatsankpronto.
4. Mom freaked when she saw my report card!
EXERCISEC: Rewrite this part of a lette!, rcplacing the underlined slang with more formal
lan8uage and the underlined clichdswith ftesher and more colorful figures oI speech.
Exampler I love them to the maJ(.
Answer: I love them very much.
g
Dear Aunt Courhey,
My ftiends and I flipped over dre cool in-line skatesyou sent. They were d)'namitel I fly !!Lc
the wind when I wear them.
The other day, I was pg&ing with some kldg from the :!qg(L and we decided to seea movie.
Yolanda wanted to seethe one about the giant seaslugs, but I wanted to seesomething a little
more ta+re.We ended up at a hot new movie, where we all had a !!491.
Your niece,
Ruby
v
30
Elements
of Wdling. Varieties
of English