Written and oral styles of English
Language and Style
From formal style to informal style - how are they different ?
In any language, different styles of expression are appropriate in different situations. We can go from the formal to the informal, the written to the spoken, from technical language (or jargon) to slang.
There are no "rules" as such;
nevertheless,
there are plenty of features which distinguish formal styles
from informal
styles. Here are some of them.
Principles of English style:
Note: these are principles: they are by no means to be considered as "rules".- a) The more formal a document is, the more it will use inanimate nouns (i.e. things, processes, ideas, rather than people) as the subjects of sentences.
- b) The more formal language is, the more it is likely to use passive structures.
- c) The more formal language is, the more verbal nouns (i.e. nouns like development or creation ) it will use.
- d) The more formal a document is, the more words of Latin origin it will use.
- a) The more informal or spontaneous language is, the more it will use humans as the subjects of sentences.
- b) The more informal a text is, the less it will use passive structures,
- c) The more informal a text is, the more it will use verb structures where a choice is possible (i.e. develop or create) instead of verbal nouns.
- b) The more informal or spoken a text is, the more words of Germanic origin it will use.
Here are some examples; in each case, the same idea is expressed using three different levels of formality: look at the different changes that occur, as we move from a formal style to an informal one
From formal to informal, written to spoken English
1.
The
inclement
climatic conditions obliged the President to return earlier than
scheduled.
The president was obliged to return earlier than planned due to poor weather conditions.
The president had to go back sooner than planned because the weather was so bad.
The president was obliged to return earlier than planned due to poor weather conditions.
The president had to go back sooner than planned because the weather was so bad.
2.
Please
await
instructions before dispatching items.
Please wait for instructions before sending items off.
Don't send anything off until you're told to.
Please wait for instructions before sending items off.
Don't send anything off until you're told to.
3. Essential
measures should be undertaken at
the earliest opportunity.
One should undertake any necessary measures at the earliest opportunity.
You should do whatever you have to as soon as you can.
One should undertake any necessary measures at the earliest opportunity.
You should do whatever you have to as soon as you can.
4. Prior
to the
discovery of America, potatoes
were not consumed in Europe.
Before America was discovered, potatoes were not eaten in Europe.
Before they discovered America, Europeans didn't eat potatoes.
Before America was discovered, potatoes were not eaten in Europe.
Before they discovered America, Europeans didn't eat potatoes.
Written and spoken versions of a language use different styles, different registers. To talk in "written English" may be no more appropriate than to write using a "spoken" variety of English. Generally speaking, written English is always more formal than spoken English. nevertheless, there are informal forms of written English (notably in fiction and in the popular press), and formal styles of spoken English, in particular "discourse", or prepared speech.
Written style can also be affected by the length of sentences used, the length of paragraphs, and other features of punctuation.
The same idea expressed in six different styles:
In the following examples, the same message is expressed in six different styles, from an extremely formal written style, to a very informal spoken style. Note in particular how the colour coded word groups evolve.
In order to demonstrate a full range of styles using a single "message", it is necessary to choose a subject or topic which people actually write or talk about in a whole range of contexts. These examples show the different styles, from the very formal to the informal, that could be used for expressing a message about government fiscal policy (or, to put it less formally, government tax policy). Different parts of the message are colour-coded: see how they change from one style to the next. Note that the British currency is formally known as "Sterling", and most often spoken about as "the Pound".
a)
Jargon, very formal.
This is the style of language used in official reports, technical studies, etc. It is exclusively a style of written English, full of verbal nouns, technical words and passives.
This is the style of language used in official reports, technical studies, etc. It is exclusively a style of written English, full of verbal nouns, technical words and passives.
Consequent
to the appreciation
in the exchange value of Sterling against other
currencies,
necessary fiscal measures were introduced
by the government in order to
reduce the
likelihood of
an import-led
consumer spending surge.
b)
Written, formal, clear.
This is clear, written English, as found in the "quality" press or in documents - even on technical subjects - aimed at ordinary educated readers.
This is clear, written English, as found in the "quality" press or in documents - even on technical subjects - aimed at ordinary educated readers.
After
the international value of Sterling
rose,
the government was
obliged to take fiscal
measures to reduce
the likelihood of a
surge
in consumer spending led by cheaper imports.
c)
Written style for the general public,
discourse,
scripted radio or TV news style.
This is classic English written style, as found in books, popular newspapers, and magazines for the general public. It is the style of formal discourse – discourse being spoken English from a written or "scripted" text.
This is classic English written style, as found in books, popular newspapers, and magazines for the general public. It is the style of formal discourse – discourse being spoken English from a written or "scripted" text.
As
the
value of Sterling increased
compared to other currencies, the government was
forced to take tax measures to head
off
a
rapid increase in consumer spending spurred on by cheaper imports.
d)
Formal spoken style -
radio, seminar,
talk.
As Sterling's
international value went
up,
the government had
to take tax measures to
head
off a consumer
spending
boom spurred on by
cheaper imports.
e)
Relaxed, informal spoken style:
discussion.
There is plenty of use of prepositional verbs. All actions are now expressed through verbs, not verbal nouns
There is plenty of use of prepositional verbs. All actions are now expressed through verbs, not verbal nouns
As the Pound went up
in
value, the government had
to put up taxes to
stop
consumers
splashing out on too many cheap imports.
f)
relaxed, simplified, chat, very informal
spoken style;
Note the addition of repetition and fillers.
Note the addition of repetition and fillers.
And
you see, the
Pound went
up and up in value,
so as a result the
government had to go
round putting up taxes, you
see, to stop everyone
going
out and splashing out, spending all their cash on cheap
imports.
Example 2:
Citizens
whose normal
place of abode is outwith the United States of America are henceforth
required to register their interests with the United States consulate
nearest their domicile ; failure to register may lead to forfeiture of
fiscal exemptions on revenues paid by sources in the United
States.
Students: try rephrasing this sentence in at least two less formal styles:
Return to English Grammar index
Copyright
information.