Informal vs. Formal Language

When writing formally, one should avoid using:

• Academic language

• Contractions and phrasal verbs

• Objective tone

• Third-person pronouns

Answer explanation

Avoid contractions (e.g., didn't, won't, can't, they're, etc.); instead, write: did not, will not, cannot, they are, etc.

Trade phrasal verbs for academic words (e.g., use cancel instead of call off).

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

"Don't register for classes yet."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One should not register for classes yet.

• You don't need to register for classes yet.

• You shouldn't register for classes yet.

Answer explanation

When writing formally, refrain from using first-person (e.g., I or me) or second-person (e.g., you) pronouns.

Also, do not use contractions.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

"LHS offers dual enrollment classes."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• LHS comes up with dual enrollment classes.

• Lemoore High School offers dual enrollment classes.

• LHS puts forward dual enrollment classes.

Answer explanation

When writing formally, do not use abbreviations.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

"I think more scholarships can be found online."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• You would think more scholarships would be available online.

• I believe more scholarships are available online.

• One assumes more scholarships are available online.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

"I'm guessing students had fun at the dance."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One can assume that students enjoyed the dance.

• I'm assuming students enjoyed the dance.

• Students, I'm sure, had fun at the dance.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

"Enjoy high school while you can."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• One should enjoy high school while one can.

• You should enjoy high school while you can.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.W.9-10.2E

"They'll play football for SDSU."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• They'll play football for San Diego State University.

• They will play football for SDSU.

• They will play football for San Diego State University.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

"It's important to consult a financial aid advisor."

How could the sentence above be written to produce a formal style and tone?

• It is important to consult a financial aid advisor.

• It's important to speak with a financial aid advisor.

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.SL.9-10.6

CCSS.W.9-10.1D

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

What is the phrasal verb in the sentence above?

• many who

• from trade school

• come out

• student debt

Tags

CCSS.L.4.1C

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

"According to Forbes, many who graduate from trade school come out with little to no student debt."

What should replace "come out" to make the sentence more formal?

• get out

• break free

• emerge

Tags

CCSS.SL.11-12.6

CCSS.W.11-12.1D

CCSS.W.11-12.2E

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.SL.9-10.6