Informal English

Informal language is more common in spoken than written English. Certain types of language are often informal:

• Most uses of get are informal

• Many phrasal verbs are informal

• Many idioms are informal.

Here are some examples:

I had to go and pick up the kids from school.

My flat is very handy for the shops. (near the shops and very convenient)

I manage to fix up (arrange) an appointment for 7.30.

I thought the book was terrific (marvelous).

Most of the students are bright (intelligent) but one or two are really thick (stupid).

I offered him ten quid (pounds) but the guy (man) wasn’t interested.

I reckon (think) we’ll get (obtain) the money pretty (quite) soon.

What’s up? (What’s the matter?)

We must get in touch with them (contact them) very soon.

Do you fancy going out? (Would you like to go out?)

When you get (reach) there, have a word with (speak to) someone at reception.

I’m just going to the loo (toilet).

Exercises

1. Put the words into the correct columns in the table.

Find a synonym for each of the words from the list.

Therefore toilet convenient catch/stop start man start again pound think fantastic buy

2. Содержание

   • Wordlist
   • Kitchen Utensils & Recipes
   • Match the pairs, then make up sentences.
   • Match the opposites, then name foods or drinks which can go with each.
   • Put each verb in brackets either in the Present Simple or the Present Continuous.
   • Unit 2 Word list
   • To set up a company
   • Supply the missing questions.
   • 4. Answer these general knowledge questions about work.
   • 5. Think about your own job. Can you explain your responsibilities and daily duties in English?
   • Match 1-5 with the specific job descriptions a-e
   • 2. When you look up a word, you can also use your dictionary to increase your vocabulary by learning related words and phrases. Find out if your dictionary helps you to answer these questions.
   • 3. In the word “island”, the letter “s” is silent. Use your dictionary to find the silent letters in these words.
   • Decide if the speaker is using British English or American English, and cross out the incorrect answer.
   • Formal English
   • Informal English
   • Rewrite the sentences in more informal English.
   • Rewrite the letter in more formal English.
   • Use your dictionary to find out if these underlined words are either formal or informal.
   • With the meaning “not”
   • Verb prefixes: un- and dis-
   • Other verb prefixes
   • Agree with these statements.
   • Complete the verbs in these sentences.
   • Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
   • Complete the sentences with a negative adjective.
   • Include information about the following:
   • Organize these words into pairs of opposites and put them in the columns below.
   • What prefix forms the opposite of each of these words?
   • How would you describe the person in each of these descriptions?
   • What nouns can be formed from these adjectives?
   • Match the adjectives in the box to the sentences.
   • Make nouns from the adjectives in the previous exercise.
   • Complete the sentences with the adjectives from the box.
   • Answer these questions.
   • Answer the questions using –ed or –ing adjectives.
   • Match these –ing adjectives with the nouns.
   • Answer the following questions:
   • It is a good idea to ask questions about the words you learn. Discuss the answers.
   • Identify the nationalities and languages of the residents of the following capitals.
   • 1. Put one suitable word in each space.
   • 2. Put one suitable word in each space, beginning with the letter given.
   • Vocabulary exercises
   • 3. At the airport
   • 1. Complete the text with the words from the box.
   • Can you write down a vegetable and fruit:
   • Which is the odd one out in each group and why?
   • Complete these sentences about yourself and your country.
   • Read the first two paragraphs of the article. Answer the questions.
   • Read the rest of the article and make lists of the following things.
   • Discuss these questions :
   • Which o the four endings are not correct?
   • Think of two more ways you can finish each sentence starter in exercise a.
   • Put the sports into groups according to what you think they have in common.
   • Here are some people talking about their hobbies. Can you guess what the hobby is in each case?
   • Complete these sentences with a suitable verb.
   • Answer these questions.
   • Complete each sentence with a word from the box.
   • Put each verb in the brackets into a suitable passive form.
   • Radisson sas Portman Hotel, London
   • Langley Castle Hotel, Northumberland
   • The Metropole Hotel, Cornwall
   • Old Oxenhope Hall Cottage, West Yorkshire
   • 4) Read the article again, chose one hotel and make notes under the headings below. Then, use your notes to talk about it.
   • 5) Make notes under the same headings for a place you have stayed on holiday. Then use your notes to write a short article about it. Use the given article as a model.
   • Wimbledon
   • The Super Bowl
   • To benefit from
   • You have an important form to fill in and you know it’ll take at least two hours to do it properly. It’s Tuesday today and you have to hand it in by nine o’clock on Friday morning at the latest.
   • 2. You bump into a friend you haven’t seen for ages in the street – she suggests a night out together next week.
   • 5. You’ve been given an important message for a friend.
   • 6. You’re due to be at a meeting in another town at three o’clock. You know it’ll take you at least thirty minutes to get there.
   • 7. You’re about to go on holiday. It’s eight o’clock the evening before. Your friend is picking you up to take you to the airport at eight-thirty tomorrow morning.
   • Conclusions to the quiz
   • Getting a job
   • Moving up
   • Leaving the company
   • Hard times
   • Happier times
   • Write a synonym for each of these words/ phrases.
   • Complete these sentences with a suitable word or phrase.
   • Complete this word-building table.
   • Have you got a job in a company? If so, answer these questions as quickly as you can.
   • Fill in the correct form of the verb in brackets (to –infinitive or –ing form), as in the examples.
   • Write the correct form of the verb in brackets.
   • Match the phrases in Column a to those in Column b to make complete sentences.
   • Use the phrases to make up sentences about yourself.
   • Talk about the article from memory using these prompts:
   • III. Find the equivalents (in the box) to the words, given below:
   • 1) Modals to express obligations
   • 2) Modals to express permission
   • In the following dialogue, which person do you agree with?
   • Vocabulary list
   • I. Find the equivalents (in the box) to the words given below:
   • Vocabulary money
   • Vocabulary
   • 1A Complete the statements with the words in the box
   • 1B Work with a partner to discuss the statements.
   • 2 Match the people in the box with their job role.
   • 3 Work with a partner to discuss the following.
   • Freecycle
   • 1. Meaning
   • 1. Work is pairs. If you are working, discuss whether you think networking meetings would be good for your company. If you are studying, discuss whether you think networking could help you find a job.
   • 2. Read the role card and prepare what you are going to say.
   • Vocabulary list
   • Vocabulary
   • 1 Number of emails
   • 2 Technology
   • 3 Stress
   • 2. Work with a partner. Write two possible recommendations for the end of the report. If you need help, look at the list below.
   • Vocabulary list
   • 5. Underline the correct form of the verb.
   • 6. Underline the correct phrase.
   • 7. Write the verbs in this conversation in the present perfect continuous.
   • 8. Complete each sentence with since or for.
   • 9. Look at these mini-dialogues. Write full questions using the present perfect simple of continuous form.
   • 2 Read the leaflet again and decide if these statements are true or false.
   • 3 Match a word from each column to make noun combinations about work and interviews.
   • 4 Complete sentences 1-8 with noun combinations from Exercise 3.
   • 5. Do these jobs exist in your country? Can you translate them into your language?
   • IV. Reading