Formal and Informal Language

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

The admission that Donald Trump was a toxic and constantly flowing source of political sewage was a painful but necessary step for the republican party

Formal

Informal

The admission that Donald Trump was a toxic and constantly flowing source of political sewage was a painful but necessary step for the republican party

The admission that Donald Trump was an toxic and constantly flowing source of sewage was a painful but necessary step for the republican party

Noun phrase - "This essay argues....." "This house believes....." - impersonal

They admitted that Donald Trump was a grotesque orange bile spewing machine, stuffed sausage-like into a sack of privileged self entitlement

Formal

Infromal

They admitted that Donald Trump was a grotesque orange bile spewing machine, stuffed sausage-like into a sack of privileged self entitlement

They admitted that Donald Trump was a grotesque orange bile spewing machine, stuffed sausage-like into a sack of privileged self entitlement 

Subject + Verb - "I will argue that...." "You should go and see..." - personal 

Also - questions and directly speaking to the reader - "What would you do in a similar situation?"

Recommendations should be made on whether or not to approve sending a message to Vladimir Putin informing him that he is a wretched gibbering baboon

Formal

Informal

Recommendations should be made on whether or not to approve sending a message to Vladimir Putin informing him that he is a wretched gibbering baboon

Active vs Passive Voice

I hope he goes to hell v It is hoped he goes to hell

We recommend assassination v Assassination is recommended 

Personal v Impersonal

There's hope that the Americans can find out where he is staying

Formal

Informal

There's hope that the Americans can find out / discover where he is staying

Latin v Phrasal Verbs

Discover v Find out

Postpone v Put off 

Contact v Get in touch with 

Consider v Think about 

+ Contractions

I've, He's, We'd

Complete the second sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first. 

The idea is to make the sentence more or less formal

Use a maximum of two words. Do not repeat a word from the first sentence. There are 7 questions in all.

We'll tell you how you got on in the test in a couple of weeks.
Candidates will .......... of their results in two weeks.

If you're not happy with the service in the restaurant you can talk to the manager.
.......... wish to complain about our service, please contact the manager.

The police will be looking into the matter.
The matter is under police .......... .

You don't have to buy anything If you don't want to.
You are under .......... to purchase any of our products.

Passengers are required to arrive at least 2 hours before departure.
We're supposed to .......... 2 hours before we leave.

In doesn't matter what the situation is, protective glasses should always be worn.
You must wear protective glasses .......... the situation.

Members of the club can be accompanied by guests.
Club members are welcome to ...................... a guest if they want.