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Formal vs Informal Language Guide

Module 2 discusses formal and informal language, word formation through clipping, and using modal verbs to express prohibition, obligation, and permission. Some key differences between formal and informal words are provided. Clipping is defined as shortening a word without changing its meaning, and examples like "bike" from "bicycle" are given. Finally, the uses of modal verbs like "can", "must", and "have to" are outlined to express whether something is allowed, required, or prohibited according to rules.

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6 views11 pages

Formal vs Informal Language Guide

Module 2 discusses formal and informal language, word formation through clipping, and using modal verbs to express prohibition, obligation, and permission. Some key differences between formal and informal words are provided. Clipping is defined as shortening a word without changing its meaning, and examples like "bike" from "bicycle" are given. Finally, the uses of modal verbs like "can", "must", and "have to" are outlined to express whether something is allowed, required, or prohibited according to rules.

Uploaded by

margilyn ramos
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Module 2

Formal and Informal Words


Word Formation: Clipping
Modal Verbs: Expressing Prohibition, Obligation and
Permission
Formal and Informal Words

• Formal English: We use it when writing essays


for school, cover letters to apply for jobs, or
emails and letters at work.
• Informal English: We use it with friends,
children, and relatives.
Some examples
Informal Formal
say sorry apologize
go up increase
go down decrease
set up establish
look at examine
blow up explode
find out discover
bring about cause
put off postpone, delay
rack up accumulate
make up fabricate
stand for represent
find out discover, ascertain
leave out omit
Word Formation: Clipping
• Word formation(derived words) is the process of
forming or new words, which derived from words
or group of words with the same root.
Clipping

•Clipping is the process in which


a word is reduced or shortened
without changing the meaning
of the word.
Examples:
•Bicycle – Bike
•Gasoline – Gas
•Mathematics – Math
•Gymnasium – Gym
•Refrigerator – Fridge
•Submarine – Sub
Modal Verbs: Expressing Prohibition,
Obligation and Permission
When we want to express permission, prohibition
(not allowing something), obligation or no obligation
we use modal verbs.

1: They don't use an 's' for the third person singular.


2: They make questions by inversion ('she can go'
becomes 'can she go?').
Examples of Modal Verbs

•can •should
•may •Would
•must •Have to
A modal that can express permission
• 'Can' is most often used to ask for or give permission but
'may' and 'could' are also possible even though they are
not used as often as 'can'.
Examples
Can I borrow a pen?
You can sit here, the seat is free.
Could I open the window?
May I ask a question?
A modal that can express obligation
'Have to' and 'must' are both used to express obligation. There is a slight difference in the
way that they are both used.
'Have to' shows that the obligation comes from someone else, not the speaker. This is usually
referring to a rule or law.
Examples:
We have to be at the airport at least two hours before the flight.
I have to work on Saturday.
They have to wear their uniforms at school.

'Must' shows us that the obligation comes from the speaker.


Examples
I must hand in my thesis by tomorrow.
I really must call my parents.
A modal that can express prohibition
• Can't' and 'mustn't' (must not) are used to show that something
is prohibited (not allowed)
• 'Can't' usually gives the idea of something that is against the
rules.
• Mustn’t usually means that it is the speaker who is setting the
rule.
Examples:
You can't go into that restaurant without a tie.
You can't drive in this country unless you are over eighteen.
You mustn't use your phone in class.

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