Formal Informal Conversation
Formal way of addressing names:
Mr./Miss/Mrs./Ms./Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister/… Last Name (Suitable Prefix Last
Name/Family Name)
Never use only First Name after these prefixes. However, using Full Name after
these prefixes is acceptable.
Example: One person is Tamjeed Hossain
Best to address as Mr./Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister Hossain
Mr./Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister Tamjeed Hossain (acceptable)
Mr./Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister Tamjeed (wrong)
Mr. Any male(single/married) Last Name
Miss. Single female Last Name
Mrs. Married female Last Name
Ms. Any female (single/married) Last Name
Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister Gender Blind
Formal way of greetings:
Good morning/Good afternoon/Good evening
Mr./Miss/Mrs./Ms./Dr./Engr./Prof./Barrister/… Last Name
Informal way of greetings:
Hi/Hey/Hello First Name Example Hello/Hi/Hey Tamjeed
Look at the following three expressions:
1. What do you do? ( a job question) I’m a student.
2. How are you? I’m fine. Thank you. …
3. How do you do? This is a peculiar expression in English language/custom
having no equivalent in many languages/customs. The answer is “How do
you do?” This is a very formal expression used only in the first time
meeting; subsequently “How are you?” is used.
See the attached Table for Greetings, Introductions and Good-byes and try to
complete the attached Formal and Informal conversations Exercise
2 Ways To Talk (Casual and
Formal)… in the English
Language
ca·su·al/ˈkaZHo͞ oəl/adj designed for informal use; relaxed and unconcerned
for·mal/ˈfôrməl/adj based on conventional forms and rules; suitable for
important situations or occasions(Google definitions)
Don't forget to read part II of '2 More Ways to Talk Casual and Formal in
English' and part III 'Casual Conversation in ESL - The Inside Scoop Part III'
Introduction
This blog post is about casual and formal language, but the words
“casual” and “formal” can also describe other things like clothing, an
outing or event, a friendship or relationship, a meeting, etc
For example, casual dress might be jeans, a tee-shirt, and sandals as
opposed to formal attire of a button-down shirt, tie, and pants for a male or a
skirt and blouse/dress with closed toe shoes (for a female). An informal
outing or event could be a parade, picnic, hike or bike ride, whereas a formal
one would be a wedding in a church/synagogue/mosque, an anniversary party
at a 5-star restaurant, or a ballet/opera at a fancy performance center.
A casual friendship or relationship is characterized by someone you have
known for a long time, maybe someone from school, the neighborhood or a
close relative as opposed to a formal relationship which might be a superior in
your business, a member of a prestigious club, or a distant relative or
acquaintance. A casual meeting might be just to offer ideas or to build
cohesion or unity. It may take place in a casual setting, too, like an outdoor
café, park or sporting event. A formal meeting might be to discuss something
really important like the direction of the company or the unveiling of a new
product, classes you need to complete a major or degree, or a talk with the
doctor about an illness. It may take place in a boardroom, manager’s office,
large auditorium, or another formal location.
You probably use different words, phrases, and ways of speaking in your
native language when you are with your friends, family, other relatives, and
people who are similar to you in age and personality (that’s casual or informal
language). However, you have another set of words and expressions when
you are in other situations like at work, when speaking with those people you
may not know as well, or when you speak to those in authoritative positions
(that’s formal language). Well, the same is true when you speak English.
You need to know casual English because you want to be able to understand
and communicate with English speakers in everyday situations (by osinyemi).
Likewise, you need to know formal English because you want to be able to
read a book, give a business presentation, or write an official letter.
Casual (Informal) Language
Casual language is used a lot around those you know well. It is a carefree
way of speaking and one in which those who know you can easily understand
or relate to. There are many slang expressions used in everyday
conversations and these phrases change over time. With the explosion into
the technological era leading to more frequent conversations, more and more
slang words are added each day to the English language. It is also
appropriate to use casual language when writing blogs, tweets, and
advertisements. You may use casual language when you want to get to know
someone on a more personal level or you want the person to feel at ease.
Formal Language
Formal language eloquently combines appropriate grammar and phrases to
provide credibility for what is being said. For example, more formal language
is routinely used in a professional setting (on a business trip or at a meeting),
at certain places in a city (a church/synagogue/mosque, bank, library, high-
end department store, government building), and in specific situations (job
interview, dinner party, prestigious ceremony, or when speaking respectfully
to a superior). You also use formal language in academic papers and official
documents and speeches, books, news reports, articles and business letters.
You may tend to use more formal language if you want to stress a point or
convey authority or when you need to be strict.
Suggested Tips – When to Say What?
In doubt of which words to use? Here are some tips that can help you. If you
listen and observe others in conversation, you will be able to tell what type of
communication matches the situation. Or you can see how a person speaks to
you; if he/she chooses to use more casual English, then it is appropriate for
you to do so in return. You can also think of patterns. If you have spoken a
certain way before under similar conditions or heard someone else speak in
this situation, then it is most likely that you can talk this way here, too.
Casual or Formal Settings – What to Say When?
Just as casual English would be inappropriate in more formal settings, formal
English would sound out of place to your friends or acquaintances that your
friends introduce you to. For example, take a simple greeting. In a more
formal greeting it is appropriate for you to say, “How do you do?” and “Nice to
meet you” and to address the people you are meeting with the correct title of
Mr./Mrs./Ms., Dr., Rev., etc. With those you know well, you probably say “Hi”,
“Hey, What’s up?” or “How’s it going?”
When you are eating, it is important to remember your manners, especially
during a business luncheon or meeting. You should politely ask for items to be
passed to you like, “Could you please pass the coffee?” If you are eating with
friends, you can be more relaxed with your manners and eating habits. “Hey,
pass the coffee.” But, you would never say, “I’m starving” or, “I got a bad case
of the munchies” in a formal situation, but with friends these are common
phrases when you are hungry. You also would never say, “I don’t like (the
food item’s) taste” in a formal setting, but with your friends it is acceptable to
tell the awful truth about how bad the food tastes.
Let’s pretend you are in a dinner party and you need to leave for an urgent
phone call. If you were eating with your future mother-in-law, you might say,
“Would you please excuse me for a moment?” or “Excuse me”. However,
with friends, you might say, “One sec” or “I'll be back.” So, you leave the table
and answer your phone call; if it's your customer or boss, you could begin
with, "Good Evening, how are you doing tonight?" But if it were your close
friend you might say, "What's good with you, my brother from another mother!"
Using Casual and Formal English
Maybe you have heard some of these more popular US casual English
words/phrases:
Casual - Formal
Cuz - Because
Chill/chillin’- Relax/relaxing
Gonna - Going to
Sick - Great; amazing
Lame - Not good; worthless
Shoot me an email - Send me an email
Kickback - Move slowly; rest; relax
Fam - Family
Hold on - Wait
Gotta - Have to/need to
I’m outta here - I need to leave now
Guy/guys - You all; all of you; you
Besties - Best friends
Sucks - Terrible or awful
Bring it on - I’m ready for it
My bad – (Admitting guilt over something)
Yea/Yeah - Yes
Nah/Naw – No
I dunno – I don’t know
Whatever - I really don’t know/You can decide/I don’t have a preference
These casual words are widely used with people you know and are more
comfortable being with. However, in formal situations, the words should be
avoided and the more formal word/phrase substituted.
How to Practice Casual Language
Now, let’s see where you can practice casual language. You can…
ride on a bus, train or airplane and greet the driver/pilot and speak to
those sitting near you
talk to your fellow students in a class or to your co-workers at work
listen to television shows/movies/musical lyrics and write down certain
words/phrases and when/how they are used to insert in your daily
speech
converse with people when you run errands at the bank, store and post
office or in and around your neighborhood
engage in chat rooms not associated with your classes or job
practice on the telephone with your friends or exchange emails, text
messages and letters
read blogs to see the word choice from many different writers
check out the Learn English Online Blog here at TalktoCanada
observe others in casual settings (children at a park, families at a
restaurant, a group of friends out)
Importance of Casual Language
gives audience a sense of closeness and genuineness
shows your personality
makes others feel comfortable
saves time
How to Practice Formal LanguageNow, let’s look at formal English. You
can…
listen to the news or government debates
read academic papers, essays, discussion responses, journals or other
nonfiction texts on topics of interest
review updated magazines and newspapers dealing with current events
scan professional writings
role play formal situations and what you would say
practice speaking with someone else in a dialogue situation reflective of
a formal situation or with a person of authority
watch some videos on how to interview or how to conduct a meeting
attend a city council meeting or open court hearing
Importance of Formal English
shows you are professional in verbal and written responses
supports the seriousness or importance of the situation
meets requirements in academic and work settings
clearly defines for the reader
email messages to instructors, other faculty and staff members; email
company employees and management
apply for internships, grants, volunteer work, and jobs
observe others in formal situations (business meetings or luncheons,
talking to people in authority or at a more structured time and place)
Other Differences
Casual English is used in situations where speech is improvised and not
prepared ahead of time or when the writer is writing quickly without
editing (e.g., Internet chat rooms or personal emails).
Formal English is characterized by longer, more complicated sentences,
whereas casual English has simpler, shorter words and sentences.
Formal English follows the standards of English grammar; casual
English may not adhere as closely to these rules.
Formal English relies on choice and accuracy of words; casual English
may use what is called “delaying expressions” like Well, I think it is a
good idea, you know? and other expressions for “correctness” like Mr.
Smith is not well. I mean, not that he is sick, just that he is very tired or
“qualifying expressions” such as Your cake recipe is kind of like my
mom’s recipe.
Formal English does not use the “everyday phrases” you would use
when talking to a good friend. Examples include Here you go (when
giving something to someone); Come again (asking someone to repeat
something); What do you mean? (wondering what was said and
needing a further explanation).
Formal English uses some vocabulary that you would not say in more
casual situations. Words like anew, daunting, nevertheless, disclose,
constitute, as it happens, etc. Similarly there is vocabulary used only
in casual situations (in addition to the words listed earlier in this article)
like dude (a person); freaking out (getting scared; wondering what was
happening); uh-huh (yes); nope (no); puke (throw
up); john (bathroom); stuff (things); to tick someone off (to upset
someone), like crazy (a lot or excessively; usually with a verb). In
addition, casual language uses words/phrases that are shortened
like I’m doin’ it my way (doing); Lemme go! (let me go); Whatcha
gonna do? (What are you going to do?); Whassup? (What’s up?); I
kinda wanna go to the movies (kind of want to).
Your Turn to Practice Informal – Formal English
Greetings
Informal:Hi, How are ya?, How’s it going?, How ya doin’? Formal: Hello,
Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, Nice to meet you,
(title)Informal (response): Not much, Not bad, How’s everything with you?,
Can’t complain, How ‘bout you? Formal (response): How are you doing?, I
hope everything is fine with you.
Making Suggestions/Giving Advice
Informal: You know what ya need to do? You gotta… Formal: Would you
please allow me to make a suggestion? I think it might be best to…
To Show Approval or Excitement
Informal: Cool! Sweet! Awesome! Oh, my god that’s great! Formal: That is
wonderful news! That is terrific to hear! That really is quite impressive.
To Say Good-bye
Informal: Bye!, See ya!, Catch ya’ later!, See you, guys!, I’m outta here!,
Later y’all!, Take care now! Formal: Good-bye, Mr./Mrs./Dr./Rev. (last name
and add something to show respect, appreciation or importance to the
situation) like Good-bye, Dr. Taleon. Thank you for taking the time to talk with
my mother and for being so helpful to us.
To Say Good Night
Informal: G’night!, Sleep tight! Formal: Good night, Mr./Mrs./Dr./Rev. (last
name)*****
'
2 Ways To Talk (Casual and
Formal)… in the English
Language
ca·su·al/ˈkaZHo͞ oəl/adj designed for informal use; relaxed and unconcerned
for·mal/ˈfôrməl/adj based on conventional forms and rules; suitable for
important situations or occasions(Google definitions)
Don't forget to read part II of '2 More Ways to Talk Casual and Formal in
English' and part III 'Casual Conversation in ESL - The Inside Scoop Part III
Introduction
This blog post is about casual and formal language, but the words
“casual” and “formal” can also describe other things like clothing, an
outing or event, a friendship or relationship, a meeting, etc
For example, casual dress might be jeans, a tee-shirt, and sandals as
opposed to formal attire of a button-down shirt, tie, and pants for a male or a
skirt and blouse/dress with closed toe shoes (for a female). An informal
outing or event could be a parade, picnic, hike or bike ride, whereas a formal
one would be a wedding in a church/synagogue/mosque, an anniversary party
at a 5-star restaurant, or a ballet/opera at a fancy performance center.
A casual friendship or relationship is characterized by someone you have
known for a long time, maybe someone from school, the neighborhood or a
close relative as opposed to a formal relationship which might be a superior in
