77   I can recognize informal English

A    Formal and informal English

Most words and expressions are neutral, and can be used in most situations. Occasionally we use formal language in spoken English, e.g. announcements (The play will commence in three minutes.), but more commonly in written English, e.g. business letters or official documents (Keep your receipt as proof of purchase.). Informal language is very common in spoken English, especially in conversation. Certain types of language are often informal:

• many phrasal verbs, e.g. turn sb/sth down

• uses of get, e.g. Could you get me a pen?

• many idioms, e.g. keep an eye on sth, out of the blue.

• many examples of vague language, e.g. thing(s), stuff, sort of.

 

Glossary

neutral  not having any strong qualities (so in this context, neither formal nor informal).

commence  FML begin.

purchase  FML the act of buying sth. purchase V.

turn sb/sth down  INF refuse an offer.

get sth  INF go to a place and bring sth back. SYN fetch sth.

idiom  an expression in which the meaning is different from the meanings of the individual words in it. idiomatic ADJ.

keep an eye on sth  INF look after sth and make sure it is safe.

out of the blue  INF suddenly and unexpectedly.

vague  not clear or definite.

sort of  INF not exactly, but partly (e.g. Are you busy? Yes, sort of.)

 

spotlight  stuff

Stuff INF is used to refer to something without using its name. We usually use stuff to replace uncountable nouns or plural countable nouns.

Do you need much of this stuff? (e.g. washing powder, soy sauce)

Put that stuff over there, (e.g. books, papers, files) 

B    Common exchanges

A    Hi. How’s it going?

B    Not bad. And you?

A    Could you give me a hand?

B    Yeah sure, no problem.

A    What’s up with Mark?

B    I haven’t a clue.

 

A    What’ve you been up to lately?

B    Nothing much.

A    Take care. See you soon.

B    Yeah. Cheers.

A    Hang on. I’ll be with you in a minute.

B    OK, but hurry up.

 

Glossary

Hi  INF hello.

How’s it going?  INF = How are you? SYN How are things?

give sb a hand  help sb. SYN lend sb a hand.

yeah  INF yes.

no problem  INF used to say that you are happy to do sth.

What’s up (with sb)?  INF = What’s the matter (with sb)?

I haven’t a clue  INF = I don’t know.

What’ve you been up to?  INF = What’ve you been doing?

lately  recently.

nothing much  INF nothing of importance.

take care  INF used when saying goodbye.

hang on  INF wait a moment. SYN hold on.

hurry up  INF move or do sth quickly.

 

spotlight  cheers 

We use cheers to express good wishes when we have an alcoholic drink. It is also used in informal situations to mean either ‘thank you’ or ‘goodbye’.

5     Put these words and expressions in more informal English.

►   Hello. Hi.

1     Yes. ____                  

2     Wait a moment. ____

3     What’s the matter? ____

4     I don’t know. ____                 

5     How are you? ____

6     What’ve you been doing? ____

7     Thank you. ____

1     Yeah.

2     Hang on.; Hold on.

3     What’s up?

4     I haven’t a clue.

5     How are things?; How’s it going?

6     What’ve you been up to?

7     Cheers.

7     Test yourself. Look at the glossary words and cover the meanings. What are the meanings?

 

C    An everyday conversation

A    Do you fancy a drink?

B    No, I’d better be off in a minute.

A    Really? I thought you had loads of time.

B    No, I’ve got to get to Mark’s to pick up a tent.  

A    What for?

B    It’s for a mate of mine. He wants to take his kids camping this weekend.

A    At this time of the year? You’re joking!

B    I’m not. He reckons the weather’s going to be fine.

A    That’s nonsense. The forecast is awful.

B    Oh well. If it’s a disaster, they’ll just have to come back home.

 

Glossary

fancy sth  INF want sth. SYN feel like (doing) sth.

I’d better be off  INF I have to leave now.

loads (of sth)  INF a lot of sth. SYN masses (of sth) INF.

pick sth/sb up  go and collect sth/sb.

What for?  INF Why are you doing sth? OR What do you need sth for?

mate  INF a friend.

kid   INF a child.

reckon   INF think.

nonsense  ideas or statements that you think are stupid or not true. SYN rubbish INF.

disaster  INF a complete failure.

 

spotlight  joke

A joke is something said or done to make you laugh, especially a funny short story.

We use the expression you’re joking or you must be joking to express surprise, when we don’t believe what someone is saying.

10   Test yourself. Look at the glossary meanings and cover the words. What are the words?