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

怎樣使用正式和非正式的英文 — 英文口說和英文書寫流利

Greetings!

親切的問候！

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 此機會歡迎您到

Oxford Online English video lesson.

Oxford Online English 線上補習課程。

Hello!

您好！

My name’s Gina.

我是Gina。

Welcome to the class.

歡迎來到線上教室。

Hey guys!

嗨，大家好！

Gina here.

我是Gina。

Let’s get started!

我們開始吧！

What’s going on here?

這裡發生了什麼事情？

Why am I welcoming you three times?

為什麼我要歡迎您三次？

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

在本節課裡，您會學習英文正式用語 和非正式用語。

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

您會學到怎麼在您的英文口說和 書寫裡辨認和使用正式

English.

和非正式的形式。

Look at three sentences:

看三個例句：

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

所有這些例句有相同的基礎意思 —— 我想和您談談，

about something.

問您一些事情。

However, the tone is different.

然而，語氣是不同的。

Can you see how?

您能看出來是怎樣嗎？

These three sentences show three levels of formality.

這三個例句顯示出 正式形式的三個等級。

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

首句是正式的；它顯示出禮貌、 尊重對方以及保持距離。

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

第二句是中性的，它沒有一個 正式或非正式的語氣。

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；它顯示您和 正在與您交談的那個人彼此之間

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

很熟悉，您不需要去製造 一個禮貌或尊重的效果。

Actually, there are more than three levels of formality.

實際上，有超過三種以上的正式形式等級。

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.

這些句子都是正式的。

The first is extremely formal.

首句是極其正式的。

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

那在大部分場合裡使用有 可能是太正式了。

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

其他兩句是正式的；第二句有可能 比第三句更正式一些。

Why ‘probably’?

為什麼是“probably”？

Formality isn’t absolute.

正式形式不是絕對的。

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

它也取決於上下文和標點符號，所以 那不只是與您使用的單字有關。

So, there are many levels of formality.

所以，有很多正式形式的等級。

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

然而，當您講英文或寫英文時， 考慮三個等級是有用的：

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，什麼時候您要使用用語的 這些不同等級呢？

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

在我的經驗裡，很多英文學生 使用太正式的用語。

They think: formal language is more polite.

他們認為：正式用語是更有禮貌的。

Polite language is better.

有禮貌的用語是比較好的。

Right?

是嗎？

No, not always!

沒有，不是總是這樣的！

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

太禮貌的用語在您和與 您談話的人之間

to.

設定了距離。

At best, this will sound awkward and unnatural.

從最好的方面看，這會聽起來尷尬並不自然。

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

從最壞的方面看，如果您使用太正式的 用語，您可能聽起來有點冷淡且不友好。

Knowing when to use formal language depends mostly on context.

要知道什麼時候使用正式用語， 這大部分取決於上下文。

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

我來問您一個問題：什麼時候您 應當使用正式用語？

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

也許在您講些像這樣的事情時： 在工作面試時、在商務會議裡

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

或商務談判裡、在和老人交談時、 在寫商務郵件時，等等。

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

實際上，您要在這些場合 總是使用正式用語，

situations.

那是不可能的。

It always depends.

那總是取決於不同的情形。

For example, take job interviews.

例如，去工作面試。

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

有些公司有一個很規範的 企業文化，等級森嚴，

and procedures.

有太多的規則和程序。

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

其他公司則是比較寬鬆的，不太 重視規範和職場頭銜。

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

很顯然，如果您在第一種類型的 公司有一個工作面試，

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

您應該要穿著、言談、舉止 正式，以適應公司文化。

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

另一方面，如果您去第二種類型的 公司面試，在那里，

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

事情比較輕鬆，非常正式的用語 肯定是不適合的。

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

所以，總是要考慮您面對的實際場合。

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

如果您不確定，試著聽聽 周圍其他人說的。

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

如果您周圍的其他人在以非正式的 方式交談，您有可能不必要

to sound very formal.

聽起來很正式地講話。

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

同樣，如果您不知道， 使用中性用語。

Neutral language is safe.

中性用語是安全的。

You can use it in any situation.

您可以在任何場合使用它。

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

非正式用語在英文口說裡是 很重要的，但是，您要小心。

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

在錯誤的時間使用非正式用語可能 聽起來是缺乏尊重的或粗魯的。

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

接下來，我們來考慮在正式的、中性的與 非正式的英文之間的主要區別。

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

正式英文傾向於使用 更長、更複雜的句型結構。

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

非正式的和中性的英文傾向於使用 更短的、更簡單的句型結構。

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.

--> 這是一個正式的句子。

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

您能看到它很長， 有一個複雜的句型結構。

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.

-->這是中性的。

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.

--> 這是非正式的。

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

您能看到中性的與非正式的句子 是很短的、很簡單的。

Let’s do one more example.

我們再來多做一個例子。

I’ll give you three sentences.

我會給您三個句子。

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

您能看出哪一個是正式的、哪一個是 中性的以及哪一個是非正式的嗎？

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?

哪一個句子是哪一種？

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?

您答對了嗎？

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

同樣，您可以看到正式的句子是 比較長的，並更複雜。

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

另一個要點是我們有時會在非正式英文裡 遺漏單字，特別是在問題裡。

For example, in the question Are you sure?

例如，在問題“Are you sure?”裡， 有可能遺漏單字“are”

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

並只說“You sure?”

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

實際上，您甚至能遺漏單字“you”， 而只說一個單字：

sure?

sure?

Let’s see some more examples of this:

我們看看這方面的更多例子：

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

在本單元您看到的正式、中性以及 非正式的句子之間，您有

you’ve seen in this section?

注意到任何其他的區別嗎？

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

您也許注意到我們在正式、中性和非正式 的英文裡使用不同的單字。

Vocabulary is another important difference between formal and informal language.

字彙是正式和非正式用語之間的 另一個重要區別。

Let’s look!

我們來看看！

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

正式英文傾向於使用文學的、 稀有的或過時的字彙。

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，您要在您的 字彙使用上是非常精確的。

Neutral English tends to use simpler, more common words.

中性英文傾向於使用更簡單的、 更常見的單字。

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

非正式英文，像中性英文那樣， 使用簡單和常見的字彙。

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

然而，非正式英文也包括那些沒有 中性英文特征的俚語、

are not features of neutral English.

片語和口頭語言。

Informal English is also generally looser.

非正式英文也通常比較寬鬆。

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

它使用更一般的字彙， 含義可以從上下文來理解。

Let's look at this in some more detail:

我們來更詳細地看下這個要點：

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學的 字彙：“verify”取代了“check”，

check, and proceed instead of continue.

“proceed”取代了“continue”。

The neutral sentence uses simple, common words.

中性句子使用了簡單、常見的單字。

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

非正式句子是沒有那麼精確的：我們說 “everything”來取代說“the data”。

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

它也使用了一個動詞：“carry on”取代了 “proceed”或“continue”。

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

在非正式英文裡，用不那麼精確的方式 來使用字彙是常見的。

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

例如，您也許使用單字像是“stuff” 或“things”來指稱特定的事情。

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

如果您是在正式地講， 您就不應當這麼做。

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,

同樣，您可以在正式句子裡看到 更文學的字彙（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，非正式的句子使用較基礎的 字彙，包括多字動詞，

verbs like get…together or get out.

像是get…together或get out。

The informal sentence is also much less precise.

非正式句子也沒那麼精確。

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

它簡單地稱“stuff”，取代了 “belongings”或“possessions”。

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

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

The neutral sentence is somewhere in between.

中性句子介於二者之間。

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

在中性用語裡，您一般來說選擇 您能選擇的最簡單的單字。

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

所以，您要說“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 其他兩種更直接的。

This is an important part of formality in English.

在英文裡，這是正式形式的 一個重要的部份。

Formal language tends to be much more indirect.

正式用語傾向於是更不直接的。

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

正式用語通常聽起來很沒人情味， 因為它使用較少的人稱代名詞，

I, you, he, she, etc.

像是I、you、he、she，等等。

Informal language tends to be more direct and personal.

非正式用語傾向於是 更直接的和個人的。

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

非正式用語可以是很直接的， 如果您在錯誤的場合使用它，那會

in the wrong situations.

聽起來有點咄咄逼人或粗魯。

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

中性用語是位於中間的，與您 看到過的其他場合類似。

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沒人情味的。

How does it achieve this?

它要怎麼做到這樣？

First, the formal sentence uses the passive.

首先，正式用語使用被動語態。

This makes it possible to avoid using personal pronouns.

這樣有可能去避免 使用人稱代名詞。

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

其他兩種句子包括單字“you”， 但是，正式句子沒有。

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

這樣不用提及或歸咎於一個特定的人 就有可能來表達想法，

which can be useful in certain situations.

那樣在某些場合裡很有用。

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

中性句子是個人的，因為它使用 “you”來指稱聽眾。

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，一般不會 被認為是粗魯的，甚至是

setting.

在一個專業的環境裡。

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!

如果您對某人說這個，您不會 隱瞞任何您在想的事情！

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

如果您需要自己清楚這個，這是有用的， 但是，它也聽起來是粗魯的或咄咄逼人的。

It’s not appropriate in all situations.

那不適合所有場合。

Let’s do one more example.

我們在多做一個例子。

Look at three sentences.

看三個句子。

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

您能說一下哪一個是正式的，哪一個是 中性的，以及哪一個是非正式的嗎？

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?

您能說出哪一個句子是哪一種嗎？

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個非人稱結構 (搭配“it”)，而不是

than a personal pronoun (we or you).

一個人稱代名詞 (“we”或“you”).

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

同樣，如果您想是有尊重對方的，以及不 直接的，這是有用，因為

at one person.

它沒有明確的針對一個人。

The neutral sentence is more personal.

中性句子是更個人化的。

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 句子之間的重要區別嗎？

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

中性句子在兩個部分使用“we”， 同時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.

在本課程裡，您看到的這個要點到目前為止 在英文口說和書寫上都是真實的。

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

然而，有一些僅僅適用於英文 書寫的正式形式的特征。

Let’s take a look.

我們來看一下。

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

在書寫上，非正式用語使用縮寫形式， 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,

在非正式英文書寫裡，您也可以使用 縮寫詞，像是“by the way”縮寫為“btw”，

ttyl for talk to you later, etc.

“talk to you later“縮寫為“ttyl”，等等。

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

在正式書寫裡，您一般不應該 使用縮寫形式或縮寫詞。

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

在中性書寫裡，您可以使用 縮寫形式和一些縮寫詞。

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

然而，如果您想聽起來是中性的，一些 縮寫詞，像是像是”please“縮寫為”plz“，

if you want to sound neutral.

是不正式的，不應該使用。

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

也有一些可能是正式 英文的縮寫詞。

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

例如， ”Human Resources“的縮寫詞”HR“ 在正式用語裡是可以的。

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

如果您想用正式英文寫一些東西， 而您不確定一個縮寫詞是否是

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

適用的，那麼，最好是 寫它的完整形式。

Let’s see some examples:

我們看一些例子：

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 — 沒有縮寫形式或縮寫詞)

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 — 使用縮寫形式，但是沒有 非正式的縮寫詞)。

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 — 有縮寫形式和縮寫詞)

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

書寫用語通常有一個比口說用語 更高的標準，所以，採用

to get the tone right.

正確的語氣是重要的。

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

特別是，不要使用太 不正式的用語。

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

如果您不確定，定調在一個中性的語氣。

Let’s look at one more example:

我們多看一個例子：

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 — 沒有縮寫形式和縮寫詞)

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 — 使用縮寫形式，但是沒有 非正式的縮寫詞)。

Thx for everything you’ve done.

Thx for everything you’ve done.

(Informal—with contractions and abbreviations)

(非正式的 — 有縮寫形式和縮寫詞)

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

希望現在您已經很好地理解了 英文裡的正式形式，以及如何

neutral and informal English.

使用正式英文、中性英文 和非正式英文。

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

要看更多免費英文課程，不要忘記看 我們的網站：Oxford Online English

dot com.

dot com.

Thanks for watching.

感謝觀看！

See you next time!

下次見！