Using Formal and Informal Language Appropriately

Common Colloquialisms and Informal Words

• A lot, alot
• Ain't
• Alright, all right
• Anyways
• Anybody, anyone
• As
• Big, large great
• Buy
• Contraption
• Could of, would of, should of

• Cute
• Fellow
• For sure
• Get, obtain
• Get, understand
• Gonna, wanna
• Got
• How come
• How do you do
• Humongous
• Kid

Common Colloquialisms and Informal Words Continued

• Kinda, kind of, sorta, sort of
• Let
• Like
• Most
• On the other hand
• Pretty
• Real, really
• Shall, will, should, would

• So
• Thus, thusly
• Until, till, ‘til
• Use
• Use to
• Yeah

Formal or Informal?

• After reading The Red Badge of Courage, it is easy for you to see Crane’s purpose in telling the story.

Formal or Informal?

• Native American literature is rich in cultural information and poetic language.

Formal or Informal?

• Native American literature isn’t rich in Puritain characteristics.

Formal or Informal?

• Native American Literature is oral. It is passed down by word of mouth.

Formal or Informal?

• Everybody knows that Snickers is the best candy bar.

Formal or Informal?

• The field trip participants will meet at the A-Town Wal-Mart.

References

• “Formal/informal language.” 15 October 2008
• SESLL/EngLang/LILT/forminf.htm>.
• “How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing.” 16 October 2008 .
• “Tone: A Matter of Attitude.” Capital Community College. 2006. 15 October 2008
• edu/grammar/composition/tone.htm>.