How to Use Formal and Informal English - English Speaking and Writing Fluency

怎样使用正式和非正式的英语 — 英语口语和英语写作流利

Greetings!

向您问好！

My name is Gina Mares, and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to this

我是Gina Mares，我想借 此机会欢迎您到

Oxford Online English video lesson.

Oxford Online English 视屏课程。

Hello!

您好！

My name’s Gina.

我是Gina。

Welcome to the class.

欢迎来到课堂。

Hey guys!

嗨，伙计们！

Gina here.

这是Gina。

Let’s get started!

我们开始吧！

What’s going on here?

这里发生了什么事？

Why am I welcoming you three times?

为什么我要欢迎您三次？

In this lesson, you can learn about formal and informal English.

在这节课里，您会学习正式和 非正式的英文。

You’ll learn how to recognise and use formal and informal styles in your spoken and written

您会学到怎样在您的英语口语和 书写里辨认和使用正式

English.

和非正式的方式。

Look at three sentences:

看三个句子：

Could I disturb you for a minute?

Could I disturb you for a minute?

Can I ask you something?

Can I ask you something?

You got a sec?

You got a sec?

All of these sentences have the same basic meaning—I want to talk to you and ask you

所有这些句子有相同的基本意思 —— 我想和您谈谈，

about something.

问您一些事情。

However, the tone is different.

然而，语气是不同的。

Can you see how?

您能看出来是怎样吗？

These three sentences show three levels of formality.

这三个句子显示出 正式形式的三个等级。

The first sentence is formal; it shows politeness, respect and distance.

首句是正式的；它显示出礼貌、 尊重以及保持距离。

The second sentence is neutral; it does not have a formal or an informal tone.

第二句是中性的，它没有一个 正式或非正式的语调。

The third sentence is informal; it shows that you and the person you are speaking to are

第三句是非正式的；它显示您和您 正在交谈的那个人是彼此之间

familiar with each other, and you don't need to make an effort to be polite or respectful.

很熟悉的，您不需要去制造 一个礼貌或尊重的效果。

Actually, there are more than three levels of formality.

实际上，有超过三种以上的正式形式等级。

For example:

例如：

Might I ask you something?

Might I ask you something?

May I take a moment of your time?

May I take a moment of your time?

Could I disturb you for a minute?

Could I disturb you for a minute?

These sentences are all formal.

这些句子都是正式的。

The first is extremely formal.

首句是极其正式。

It’s probably too formal to use in most situations.

那在大部分场合使用有 可能是太正式了。

The other two are both formal; the second is probably more formal than the third.

其他两句都是正式的；第二句有可能 比第三句正式一些。

Why ‘probably’?

为什么是“probably”？

Formality isn’t absolute.

正式性不是绝对的。

It also depends on context and intonation, so it’s not just about the words you use.

它也取决于上下文和标点符号，所以 那不只是与您使用的单词有关。

So, there are many levels of formality.

所以，有很多正式形式的等级。

However, when you speak or write in English, it’s useful to think about three levels:

然而，当您讲英语或写英语时， 考虑三个等级是有用的：

formal, neutral and informal.

正式的、中性的和非正式的。

But when should you use these different levels of language?

但是，什么时候您要使用语言的 这些不同等级呢？

In my experience, many English students use language which is too formal.

在我的经验里，很多英语学生 使用太正式的语言。

They think: formal language is more polite.

他们认为：正式的语言是更有礼貌的。

Polite language is better.

有礼貌的语言是比较好的。

Right?

对吗？

No, not always!

没有，不是总是这样的！

Language which is too polite puts distance between you and the person you’re talking

太礼貌的语言在您和与 您谈话的人之间

to.

设定了距离。

At best, this will sound awkward and unnatural.

在最好的方面，这会听起来尴尬以及不自然。

At worst, you can sound cold and unfriendly if you use language which is too formal.

在最糟糕的方面，如果您使用太正式的 语言，您可能听起来有点冷淡且不友好。

Knowing when to use formal language depends mostly on context.

要知道什么时候使用正式的语言， 这大部分取决于上下文。

Let me ask you a question: when should you use formal language?

我来问您一个问题：什么时候您 应当使用正式语言？

Maybe you said things like: in job interviews, in business meetings or negotiations, when

也许您讲那些像这样的事情时： 在工作面试里、在商务会议里

talking to older people, when writing business emails, and so on.

或商务谈判里、在和老人交谈时、 在写商务邮件时，等等。

The fact is, it’s not possible to say you should always use formal language in these

事实是，您要在这些场合 总是使用正式的语言，

situations.

那是不可能的。

It always depends.

那总是取决于不同情形。

For example, take job interviews.

例如，参加工作面试。

Some companies have a very corporate culture, with a strict hierarchy and lots of rules

有些公司有一个很共同的文化，, 具有严格的等级制度和

and procedures.

太多的规则和程序。

Other companies are more relaxed, and pay less attention to rules and job titles.

其他公司是比较宽松的，不太 重视规则和工作头衔。

Obviously, if you’re going for a job interview at the first kind of company, you’ll want

很显然，如果您会在第一种类型的 公司有一个工作面试，

to dress, act and speak formally, to fit in with the company culture.

您应该要穿着、言谈、举止 正式，以适应公司文化。

On the other hand, if you go for an interview at the second kind of company, where things

另一方面，如果您去第二种类型的 公司面试，在那，

are more relaxed, it wouldn’t be appropriate to speak very formally.

事情比较轻松，非常正式的语言 肯定是不适合的。

So, always think about the actual situation in front of you.

所以，总是要考虑您面对的实际场合。

If you’re not sure, try to listen to other people around you.

如果您不确定，试着听听 周边其他人说的。

If people around you are speaking informally to each other, you probably shouldn’t try

如果您周边的其他人在以非正式的 方式交谈，您有可能不必要

to sound very formal.

听起来很正式地讲话。

Also, if you don’t know, then use neutral language.

同样，如果您不知道， 使用中性语言。

Neutral language is safe.

中性的语言是安全的。

You can use it in any situation.

您可以在任何场合使用它。

Informal language is very important in spoken English, but you need to be careful.

非正式语言在英语口语里是 很重要的，但是，您要小心。

Using informal language at the wrong time could sound disrespectful or rude.

在错误的时间使用非正式的语言可能 听起来是缺乏尊重的或粗鲁的。

Next, let's consider some of the main differences between formal, neutral and informal English.

接下来，我们来考虑在正式的、中性的与 非正式的英语之间的主要区别。

Formal English tends to use longer, more complicated sentence structures.

正式英语倾向于使用 更长、更复杂的句子结构。

Informal and neutral English tend to use shorter, simpler sentence structures.

非正式的和中性的英语倾向于使用 更短的、更简单的句子结构。

For example:

例如：

I was wondering if you could make yourself available on Wednesday to provide more detailed

I was wondering if you could make yourself available on Wednesday to provide more detailed

guidance on these matters.

guidance on these matters.

--> This is a formal sentence.

--> 这是一个正式的句子。

You can see that it’s quite long, with a complex structure.

您能看到它很长， 有一个复杂的结构。

Do you have time on Wednesday to help us with these problems?

Do you have time on Wednesday to help us with these problems?

--> This is neutral.

--> 这是中性的。

You got some free time on Wednesday to talk about this?

You got some free time on Wednesday to talk about this?

--> This is more informal.

--> 这是很不正式的。

You can see that the neutral and informal sentences are much shorter and simpler.

您能看到中性的和非正式的句子 是很短的、很简单的。

Let’s do one more example.

我们再来多做一个例子。

I’ll give you three sentences.

我会给您三个句子。

Can you see which one is formal, which is neutral, and which is informal?

您能看出哪一个是正式的、哪一个是 中性的以及哪一个是非正式的吗？

We should have a word with him first.

We should have a word with him first.

It may well be necessary to contact him before we make a decision.

It may well be necessary to contact him before we make a decision.

We need to talk to him before we decide.

We need to talk to him before we decide.

Which is which?

哪一个是哪一种？

The first sentence is informal.

第一句是非正式的。

The second sentence is formal.

第二句是正式的。

The third sentence is neutral.

第三句是中性的。

Did you get it right?

您答对了吗？

Again, you can see that the formal sentence is longer and more complex.

同样，您可以看到正式的句子是 比较长的，并更复杂。

Another point is that we sometimes leave out words in informal English, especially in questions.

另一个重点是我们有时会在非正式英语里 遗漏单词，特别是在问题里。

For example, in the question Are you sure?

例如，在问题“Are you sure?”里， 有可能遗漏单词“are”

it is possible to leave out the word are and just say You sure?

并只说“You sure?”

In fact, you could even leave out the word you and just ask a question with one word:

实际上，您甚至能遗漏单词“you”， 而只说一个单词：

sure?

sure?

Let’s see some more examples of this:

我们看看这方面的更多例子：

Will you be joining us?

Will you be joining us?

(Formal—full form) Are you coming?

(正式的—完整形式) Are you coming?

(neutral—full form) You coming?

(中性的—完整形式) You coming?

(Informal—short form)

(非正式的—短形式)

Do you have any suggestions?

Do you have any suggestions?

(Formal—full form) Have you got any ideas?

(正式的—完整形式) Have you got any ideas?

(neutral—full form) Any ideas?

(中性的—完整形式) Any ideas?

(Informal—short form)

(非正式的—短形式)

Do you notice any other differences between the formal, neutral and informal sentences

在本单元您看到的正式、中性及 非正式的句子之间，您有

you’ve seen in this section?

注意到任何其他的区别吗？

You might notice that we use different words in formal, neutral and informal English.

您也许注意到我们在正式、中性和非正式 的英语里使用不同的单词。

Vocabulary is another important difference between formal and informal language.

词汇是正式和非正式讲法之间的 另一个重要的区别。

Let’s look!

我们来看看！

Formal English tends to use more literary, rare or old-fashioned vocabulary.

正式英语倾向于使用文学的、 稀有的或过时的词汇。

Generally, if you want to be formal, you need to be very precise with your use of vocabulary.

通常，如果您想要正式，您需要在您的 词汇使用上是非常精确的。

Neutral English tends to use simpler, more common words.

中性英语倾向于使用更简单的、 更常见的单词。

Informal English, like neutral English, uses simple and common vocabulary.

非正式英语，像中性英语那样， 使用简单和常见的词汇。

However, informal English also includes slang, phrasal verbs and colloquial language which

然而，非正式英语也包括那些没有 中性英语特征的俚语、

are not features of neutral English.

短语和口头语言。

Informal English is also generally looser.

非正式英语也通常比较宽松。

It uses more general words, and the meaning is understood from the context.

它使用更一般的单词， 含义可以从上下文来理解。

Let's look at this in some more detail:

我们更详细地看下这点：

We need to verify the data before we proceed.

We need to verify the data before we proceed.

We need to check the data before we continue.

We need to check the data before we continue.

We need to check everything before we carry on.

We need to check everything before we carry on.

You can see that the formal sentence uses more literary vocabulary: verify instead of

您能看到正式句子使用更文学的 词汇：“verify”取代了“check”，

check, and proceed instead of continue.

“proceed”取代了“continue”。

The neutral sentence uses simple, common words.

中性句子使用了简单、常见的单词。

The informal sentence is less precise: instead of saying the data, we say everything.

非正式句子是没那么精确：我们说 “everything”来取代说“the data”。

It also uses a phrasal verb: carry on instead of proceed or continue.

它也使用了一个短语动词：“carry on”取代了 “proceed”或“continue”。

In informal English, it's common to use vocabulary in a less precise way.

在非正式英语里，用不那么精确的方式 来使用词汇是常见的。

For example, you might use words like stuff or things to refer to specific things.

例如，您也许使用单词像是“stuff” 或“things”来指称特定的事情。

You wouldn’t do this if you were speaking formally.

如果您是在正式地讲， 您就不应当这样做。

For example:

例如：

You are required to collect your belongings and vacate the premises.

You are required to collect your belongings and vacate the premises.

You need to take your personal possessions and leave the building.

You need to take your personal possessions and leave the building.

You need to get your stuff together and get out.

You need to get your stuff together and get out.

Again, you can see more literary vocabulary in the formal sentence (required, collect,

同样，您可以在正式句子里看到 更文学的词汇（required, collect,

belongings, vacate, premises).

belongings, vacate, premises）。

On the other hand, the informal sentence uses more basic vocabulary, including multi-part

另一方面，非正式句子使用较基础的 词汇，包括多字动词，

verbs like get…together or get out.

像是get…together或get out。

The informal sentence is also much less precise.

非正式句子也没那么精确。

It simply refers to stuff, instead of belongings or possessions.

它简单地指称“stuff”，取代了 “belongings”或“possessions”。

It also says …get out, without specifying the place (the premises or the building).

它也说 …get out，没有特指地方 (the premises 或 the building)。

The neutral sentence is somewhere in between.

中性句子介于二者之间。

In neutral language, you generally choose the simplest word you can.

在中性语言里，您一般来说选择 您能选择的最简单的单词。

So, you would say take instead of collect, leave instead of vacate, and so on.

所以，您要说“take”取代“collect”， “leave”取代“vacate”，等等。

You can also see that the informal sentence is much more direct than the other two.

您也可以看到非正式句子是比 其他两种更直接的。

This is an important part of formality in English.

在英语里，这是正式形式的 一个重要的部份。

Formal language tends to be much more indirect.

正式语言倾向于是更不直接的。

Formal language often sounds quite impersonal, because it uses fewer personal pronouns like

正式语言通常听起来很没人情味， 因为它使用较少的人称代词，

I, you, he, she, etc.

像是I、you、he、she，等等。

Informal language tends to be more direct and personal.

非正式语言倾向于是 更直接的和个人的。

Informal language can be so direct that it can sound aggressive or rude if you use it

非正式的语言可以是十分直接的， 如果您在错误的场合使用它，那会

in the wrong situations.

听起来有点咄咄逼人或粗鲁。

Neutral language is in the middle, similar to other situations you’ve seen.

中性语言是位于中间的，与您 看到过的其他场合类似。

For example:

例如：

Lessons need to be learnt from the mistakes which were made.

Lessons need to be learnt from the mistakes which were made.

--> formal I hope you can learn from where you went wrong.

--> 正式的 I hope you can learn from where you went wrong.

--> neutral You made a mess of this and you need to do

--> 中性的 You made a mess of this and you need to do

better next time.

better next time.

--> informal

--> 非正式的

You can see that the formal sentence is impersonal.

您可以看到正式句子是很没人情味的。

How does it achieve this?

它要怎么去做到这样？

First, the formal sentence uses the passive.

首先，正式说法使用被动语态。

This makes it possible to avoid using personal pronouns.

这个有可能去避免 使用人称代词。

The other two sentences include the word you, but the formal sentence doesn’t.

其他两种句子包括单词“you”， 但是正式句子没有。

This makes it possible to express the idea without mentioning or blaming a specific person,

这样不用提及或归咎于一个特定的人 就有可能来表达想法，

which can be useful in certain situations.

那在某些场合下很管用。

The neutral sentence is personal, because it uses you to refer to the listener.

中性句子是个人的，因为它使用 “you”来指称听者。

However, it’s not very direct, and wouldn’t generally be considered rude, even in a professional

然而，它不是很直接的，一般不会 被认为是粗鲁的，甚至是

setting.

在一个专业的环境里。

The informal sentence is very direct.

非正式句子是非常直接的。

If you say this to someone, you’re not hiding what you think!

如果您对某人说这个，您不会 隐瞒任何您在想的东西！

This can be useful if you need to make yourself clear, but it could also sound rude or aggressive.

如果您需要让自己清楚， 这是有用的， 但是，它也听起来是粗鲁的或咄咄逼人的。

It’s not appropriate in all situations.

那不适合所有的场合。

Let’s do one more example.

我们在多做一个例子。

Look at three sentences.

看三个句子。

Can you tell which is formal, which is neutral, and which is informal?

您能说一下哪一个是正式的，哪一个是 中性的，以及哪一个是非正式的吗？

We won’t be able to do anything until we deal with these issues.

We won’t be able to do anything until we deal with these issues.

We won't be able to get anywhere until you sort this out.

We won't be able to get anywhere until you sort this out.

It may be difficult to make progress until these matters are resolved.

It may be difficult to make progress until these matters are resolved.

Can you tell which is which?

您能说出哪一个是哪一个吗？

The first sentence is neutral, the second is informal, and the third sentence is formal.

第一句是中性的，第二句是非 正式的，第三句是正式的。

You can see that the formal sentence uses an impersonal structure (with it), rather

您能看到正式句子使用一个非人称结构 (搭配“it”)，而不是

than a personal pronoun (we or you).

一个人称代词 (“we”或“you”).

Again, this is useful if you want to be respectful and indirect, because it isn’t clearly directed

同样，如果您想是有尊重的，以及不 直接的，这是有用的，因为

at one person.

它没有明确地针对一个人。

The neutral sentence is more personal.

中性句子是更个人的。

Can you see the important difference between the neutral and informal sentences?

您可以看到中性句子和非正式 句子之间的重要区别吗？

The neutral sentence uses we in both parts, while the informal sentence is more direct:

中性句子在两个部分使用“we”， 同时非正式句子是更直接的：

...until you sort this out.

...until you sort this out.

The points you’ve seen so far in this lesson are true for both spoken and written English.

在本课程里，您看到的这个重点到目前为止 在英语口语和英语书写上都是真实的。

However, there are some features of formality which apply only to written English.

然而，有一些仅仅适用于英语 书写的正式形式的特征。

Let’s take a look.

我们来看一下。

In writing, informal language uses contractions like he'll, it'd, or we're.

在书写上，非正式说法使用缩写形式， 像是“he'll”、“it'd”、或是“we're”。

In informal written English, you can also use abbreviations, like btw for by the way,

在非正式英语书写里，您也可以使用 缩写词，像是“btw”用于“by the way”，

ttyl for talk to you later, etc.

“ttyl”用于“talk to you later，等等。

In formal writing, you generally wouldn’t use contractions or abbreviations.

在正式书写里，您一般不应该 使用缩写形式或缩写词。

In neutral writing, you can use contractions and some abbreviations.

在中性的书写里，您可以使用 缩写形式和一些缩写词。

However, some abbreviations, like plz for please, are informal and shouldn’t be used

然而，如果您想听起来是中性的，一些 缩写词，像是适用于”please“的”plz“，

if you want to sound neutral.

是不正式的，不应该被使用。

There are also some abbreviations which are possible in formal English.

也有一些可能是正式 英语的缩写词。

For example, HR for Human Resources would be okay in formal language.

例如， ”Human Resources“的缩写词”HR“ 在正式语言里是可以的。

If you want to write something in formal English, and you aren't sure whether an abbreviation

如果您想用正式英语写一些东西， 而您不确定一个缩写词是否是

is appropriate or not, then it's best to write the full form.

适用的，那么，最好是 写它的完整形式。

Let’s see some examples:

我们看一些例子：

Just for your information, we would like to schedule another meeting in October.

Just for your information, we would like to schedule another meeting in October.

(Formal—there are no contractions or abbreviations)

(正式的 — 没有缩写形式或缩写词)

Just for your information, we’d like to arrange another meeting in October.

Just for your information, we’d like to arrange another meeting in October.

(neutral—uses contractions, but no informal abbreviations).

(中性的 — 使用缩写形式，但是没有 非正式的缩写词)。

Just FYI, we'd like to fix up a meeting in Oct.

Just FYI, we'd like to fix up a meeting in Oct.

(Informal—with contractions and abbreviations)

(非正式的 — 有缩写形式和缩写词)

Written language is often held to a higher standard than spoken language, so it’s important

书写语言通常是有一个比口头语言 更高的标准， 所以，采用

to get the tone right.

正确的语气是重要的。

In particular, don’t use language which is too informal.

特别是，不要使用太 不正式的语言。

If you’re not sure, aim for a neutral tone.

如果您不确定，定调在一个中性的语气。

Let’s look at one more example:

我们多看一个例子：

Thank you for all the hard work you have done.

Thank you for all the hard work you have done.

(Formal—there are no contractions or abbreviations)

(正式的 — 没有缩写形式和缩写词)

Thank you for the hard work you’ve done.

Thank you for the hard work you’ve done.

(Neutral—uses contractions, but no informal abbreviations).

(中性的 — 使用缩写形式，但是没有 非正式的缩写词)。

Thx for everything you’ve done.

Thx for everything you’ve done.

(Informal—with contractions and abbreviations)

(非正式的 — 有缩写形式和缩写词)

Hopefully, now you have a good understanding of formality in English, and how to use formal,

希望现在您对英语中的正式形式， 以及如何使用正式英语、

neutral and informal English.

中性英语和非正式英语 有一个很好的理解。

Don’t forget to check out our website for more free English lessons: Oxford Online English

要看更多的免费英语课程，不要忘记看 我们的网站：Oxford Online English

dot com.

dot com.

Thanks for watching.

感谢观看！

See you next time!

下次见！