speech informal conversation

How to Speak Informal English: Slang, Contractions, and More

Kelsey Krahn

Do you find that your English sounds too formal compared to your peers? It can be tough to transition from learning proper English on paper to sounding like a native when you speak out loud.

But don’t worry! Throughout this article, you will learn all about casual contractions, words, and phrases to use when engaging in informal English conversation.

Here’s a sneak peek:

Fluent English speakers love to squish words together and shorten words. It may make us sound dumb, but we can’t help but let shortened words glide from our mouths when engaging in conversation.

Example: Imma swim in the pool on my vacay.

Formal translation: I am going to swim in the pool on my vacation.

Disclaimer: I tend to over-shorten words, so it’s okay to not use words like vacay (vacation) or wat bot (water bottle) when in an English conversation. People don’t understand me half of the time—I like to think of myself as an innovative word-inventor, a modern-day Shakespeare (I’m not).

On the other hand, most fluent English speakers like to blend words, like I’m going to becomes I’m gonna or Imma . Before we get into these, let’s take a look at regular contractions—it’ll help prep you for the cacophony of upcoming informal contractions!

Fluent English Speakers Love to Use Contractions

It’s totally normal to use contractions in both a formal or informal conversation setting! For example, if you are in a business interview, it’s okay to say:

I’d love to work for you instead of I would love to work for you . You can use either-or, of course.

However, when writing a formal letter, it’s best to avoid contractions. (You can learn more about writing a formal letter in English by following this link! )

It’s different in informal settings!

You can use either-or, of course, but if you want to elevate your overall fluency, it helps to use contractions when engaging in an English conversation. What are some examples of contractions ? Let’s take a look.

Regular contractions

• I am--->I’m
• Are not---> Aren’t
• Cannot---> Can’t
• Do not--->Don’t
• I would--->I’d
• Should not--->Shouldn’t
• Could not--->Couldn’t
• She would--->She’d
• He would not--->He wouldn’t
• Has not--->Hasn’t
• Had not--->Hadn’t
• Have not--->Haven’t
• Might not--->Mightn’t
• I will--->I’ll
• He will not--->He won’t
• Is not--->Isn’t
• She is--->She’s
• He has--->He’s
• That is--->That's
• That has--->That’s
• They are--->They’re
• What will--->What’ll
• Were not--->Weren’t
• Let us--->Let’s

It’s a lengthy list, isn’t it? Let’s take a look at the basic rules:

Instead of saying had or would add an apostrophe and d . For example, He wanted to kiss her, but she’d (she had) already left or she’d (she would) go if she wasn’t sick .

Instead of saying not add an n , apostrophe, and t . For example, she hasn’t (has not) finished her homework yet or I wouldn’t (would not) dare run across the road with my eyes closed . Exception: Will not ! For example, he won’t (he will not) sing for his aunt at the next family gathering !

Instead of saying have add an apostrophe and ve . For example, I’ve (I have) eaten already or we’ve (we have) eaten already .

Instead of saying has or is add an apostrophe and s . For example, she’s (she is) going home or there’s (there has) been a mistake . You can also replace us , and add an apostrophe and s . For example, let’s (let us) go .

There are more...

Rules! Fun, right? Okay, learning rules may not be the most amusing thing in the world, but it’s (check out that contraction) worth it. I promise.

While it’s beneficial to use contractions when you’re (another contraction—should I stop pointing out the contractions I use?) speaking, there are also some exceptions! What are they ?

• When you want to emphasize your sentence or make a point. For example, I canNOT stand to be around Fred anymore. He IS so annoying.
• When you use short answers. For example:

Question: Is Sarah coming over tonight? Answer: She is!

It would sound weird to answer the question with: She’s .

Learn informal contractions

Okay, now we’re (another contraction) on to the fun part: informal contractions!

What you’re about to learn may differ from proper English pronunciation, but I can assure you that the following lesson details proper, but casual, relaxed, natural, informal English pronunciation.

Don’t forget to use these informal contractions in informal settings . No one will take you seriously if you show up to a business meeting muttering things like:

Imma knock y’all off your feet with this marketing prezzie! Get ready folks!

Translation: I’m going to knock you all of your feet with this marketing presentation. Get ready folks!

(Please don’t say either version in a business meeting.)

Okay. Moving on. Let’s take a look at some informal contractions !

• I’m going to ---> I’m gonna or Imma (Imma--some, but not many, spell it I’ma)
• I don’t know--->I dunno
• I shouldn’t--->I shoulda
• I couldn’t--->I coulda
• I wouldn’t---> I woulda
• I had to--->I hadda
• I have to---> I hafta
• She has to---> She hasta
• I want to--->I wanna
• I have to go--->I gotta go
• I need to--->I needa
• What’re you doing---?What-chu doing (or what-cha)

Remember when Kanye West stepped on stage and interrupted Taylor Swift at the VMAs? Well, he used an informal contraction. Can you spot the regular and informal contraction?

Kanye: “Yo, Taylor, I'm really happy for you, I'ma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!”

Which informal contraction did he use? I’ma ( Imma )

Which regular contraction did he use? I’m

Translation: Yo, Taylor, I am really happy for you, I am going to let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!

Want another example? Try and pinpoint who sounds more fluent in the following conversation:

Kelsey: Hey, Tanya! How are ya? What-cha doing today? Tanya: Hello, Kelsey. I am fine. How are you? Kelsey: I’m good! Imma play soccer after school today. Wanna come? Tanya: I do not think I can play soccer after school. Kelsey: No problem! Do you think you can play the day after tomorrow? I can’t play tomorrow ‘cause I gotta go to the dentist. Gross. Tanya: I cannot play soccer the day after tomorrow either. I have not studied for the exam on Friday. Let us plan for two Saturdays from now? Kelsey: Okay! I’ll mark it on my calendar! I hafta study for the exam, too. Maybe we can study together? Tanya: I am going to study with Mark, so you cannot come. I am so sorry. Kelsey: That’s okay! Enjoy your cute date with Mark! I gotta go play soccer now. See ya! Tanya: See you again.

Yikes. It looks like Tanya just doesn’t want to hang out with Kelsey. Anyways, who sounds more fluent? Kelsey.

Fluent English Speakers Don’t Use These Sayings (Often)

Tanya also used some sayings that fluent speakers don’t use very often. Can you figure out which sayings stuck out? If not, no problem. Continue reading to find out the answers.

1. I am fine

Some fluent English speakers may respond to How are you? with I am fine . But most native speakers in North America respond with I’m good . Sometimes I’m fine insinuates that you are not doing well.

In fact, most only respond to How are you? with I’m fine if they want to let you know that they aren’t doing well, but they don’t want to talk about it. It can be taken as a passive-aggressive response. However, it may not be the same in every country or region.

It’s up to you test the waters to see how people respond to How are you?

2. See you again

People may use see you again in books, songs, or poems (it pairs nicely with the word friend). But it’s rarely used in an English conversation. Here are some other ways to say goodbye :

• See you soon
• Have a good one

To Sum It Up…

There you have it! Some tips and tricks that can help you sound fluent! What do you think? Will you try these out in your next English conversation? Just remember to only use the informal contractions in an informal, casual setting.

Want to learn more English pronunciation and grammar rules? Consider reading about the four must-know grammar rules for any English speaker !

Speechling is a nonprofit app and website that combines human coaching with technology to improve your foreign language speaking.

Formal Vs Informal Speeches: An A-Z Guide

Hrideep barot.

• Public Speaking , Speech Writing , Workplace Communication

A speech is either formal or informal. Meaning, it can either be a formal address delivered to an audience or the daily use of grammar and words to communicate. The only purpose of either of those speeches is to put across a message well enough to invoke the desired response from your audience. Throughout history, humans all across the world cleverly inspired world-wide revolutions solely through the power of speech. Since then, a lot of tools and techniques of speeches have developed to ensure we use this power to its maximum capacity.  

The two broad classifications of events we use speeches are called formal events and informal events. Therefore, depending on the kind of audience, the situation, the message, the tone and the environment, the orator must decide whether they should address a formal speech or an informal speech. Working out where you use what kind of speech is the most important aspect of being a good communicator.

Formal Speeches

What are formal speeches.

Formal Speeches are made when you’re speaking to a sizable audience you don’t personally know. These are professional events where you’re expected to make a good impression on the audience. The nature of these events is often serious and decorous. These events therefore demand a similar respectable tone of language and speech.

For example, while at a job interview, speaking to an individual of authority, delivering a lecture, making a presentation, giving a pitch, motivating the audience, hosting a business event etc., you must ensure you speak formally. 

What makes a speech formal?

Formal speeches are also called orations. They are used in situations that are more ‘serious.’ They project a specific tone and specific characteristics. A few basic tools and attributes of formal speeches are:

The tone of a formal speech is always polite and respectful. Since formal speeches are mainly used to communicate with people in authority or strangers, it is important to structure your sentences suitably. The use of civilised words, appropriate grammar, complete sentences and enhanced vocabulary maintains the decorum of a formal speech.

Objectiveness

A formal communication style usually takes no stances. The sentence is spoken in a passive voice with a minimum use of personal pronouns. When we avoid using personal pronouns such as ‘I’, ‘We’ and ‘You’, the essence of the point changes from being an opinion to a fact. Therefore, the content of your speech sounds more objective than subjective.

Effectiveness

A formal speech is more effective than an informal speech because it comprises longer sentences and clear, non-colloquial phrases. It is well-spoken and the pronunciations are fathomable and precise. Its adherence to the Standard English language makes it comprehensible for the entire audience, even the non-native English speakers. It therefore proves to be extremely effective, suitable for a workplace or a business environment.

Standard English Language

A formal speech naturally follows the standards and rules formally set by the language. Languages tend to have regional differences and additional local slang to them. Even within England, British English and Scottish English tend to have different dialects and colloquial. For example, maybe phrases like “sure-fire” or “works like a charm” are deemed normal at your workplace but you cannot expect a non-English speaking trader to know them. When we adhere to the Standard English prescribed by Oxford, everybody who has academically learnt the English language is able to understand what one is trying to say.

The generous use of long sentences, no contractions, minimum abbreviations, proper grammar, complex sentence structure, clear pronunciation and overall objectiveness of the information brings a lot of clarity to one’s speech. There is seldom any room for doubts or misunderstandings. The extensive use of impersonal and formal language brings out professionalism and makes your information more credible.

What should you NOT include in a Formal Speech

The obvious ways of distinguishing between a formal speech and an informal speech are determined through the process of elimination. The following are a few things that you shouldn’t include in a formal speech:

Casual Greeting

There are a number of ways you can greet a person. Each kind of greeting has formal and informal versions that you can use based on how well you know the person and what degree of professionalism you are required to maintain with that person. For example,

• Formal: Hello, how do you do?
• Informal: Hey, how are ya?
• Formal: Nice to meet you/ Pleased to meet you.
• Informal: Good to see you.
• Formal: How have you been?
• Informal: Long time no see!

Slangs and Colloquialism

Slangs include a language that’s peculiar to a particular group, a regional reference, or even curse words. It’s extremely important to keep slang words at bay when you’re delivering a formal speech. A formal tone prescribes standard, professional English language. For example,

• Informal: Stats say, stress is the reason why this workplace is always screwing up.
• Formal: According to statistics, stress is one of the most frequent factors that disrupts efficiency and encourages problems in the workplace.
• Informal: Know yourself honestly and well enough to find what stresses you out.
• Formal: Being candid with ourselves is the most effective way to establish the triggers of stress we experience.

Contractions

Contracting words and sentences assert an informal and casual tone. If you are aiming to sound professional and polished, avoiding contractions is recommended. For example,

• Informal: I’ve had enough, I don’t think I’m gonna let this slide the next time.
• Formal: Your limit has been surpassed, I do not think this mistake will go unpunished the next time.

Personal Pronouns

The main characteristics of a formal speech are its impersonal nature and the precise, passive and objective delivery of information. While writing a formal speech, avoid using pronouns altogether. However, if required, try using neutral pronouns such as ‘one.’ For example,

• Informal: I was alarmed when I found out the effects of stress.
• Formal: The effects of stress were found to be quite alarming.
• Informal: You shouldn’t stress out about the things you can’t control.
• Formal: One shouldn’t take stress about the things beyond one’s control.

Poor Vocabulary

Gather your thesaurus before you write your formal speech because the better your vocabulary, more formal the content of your speech sounds. While both your sentences would mean the same thing, the tone in which they are delivered would classify them as informal speeches or formal speeches. For example,

• Informal: He took the item back to the shop.
• Formal: He returned the item to the shop.
• Informal: The CEO of this company gave up his position because his mental health was being affected.
• Formal: The CEO of this company relinquished his position due to his mental health being compromised.

How should you structure a Formal Speech?

The basic structure of a formal speech is no different than the structure of an essay. Organising your speech not only improves the clarity of thought but also amplifies the effectiveness of your content. A formal speech includes an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

The Introduction

A formal introduction establishes a respectful contact between the speaker and the listener. The introduction should last for one minute at the most. It should sound deferential and strictly adhere to formal English. How should you begin a formal speech?

The Greeting

The introduction of a formal speech can typically begin with a greeting. After wishing ‘good morning’ or ‘good evening’ depending on the time of the day, you may introduce yourself humbly. You can thank the organisers of the event for inviting you to speak or compliment a senior member of the event to pay respect. 

Acknowledging the Audience

It is polite to thank the audience for gathering to hear you out. Greet them with a genuine smile and express what an honour it is to be speaking before them today. After all, they have sacrificed their precious time to be here today.

Placing your Claim

The introduction is the most crucial segment of your speech. The curiosity you are able to pique in this part decides how much audience you will retain throughout your speech. It is extremely important you place your claim in the most catchy manner. Even in a formal speech, you can use quotes, rhetorical devices, imagery, startling elements, stories or even silence. As long as the language used is respectful, professional and follows the formal English, it can be a good opener for a formal speech. 

In case you’re looking for a few creative ways you can open your speech, you can refer to our blogpost for help!

The body makes up everything you have to say about the claim you placed in the introduction. It can have additional facts, supporting arguments and other temporal modes of organising your information. The temporal modes of organising information can be:

• Cause-effect relation in past, present or future tense
• Effect-cause relation which is basically inverting it and highlighting the effects before you state how they are achieved.
• Compare and contrast your entities.
• Narrate your topics as a story by organising the flow of the speech by finding relation and joint-relevance between two topics.
• Subdividing a large chunk of information into headings and subheadings is also a good topical way to organise your information formally.

The Conclusion

How do you end a formal speech? The conclusion follows the transition that was laid down by the body. The two main aims of a conclusion are to summarise the ideas of the speech and provide a closure. The conclusion of any formal speech can include:

• A summary of the speech.
• A ‘Now-What?’ statement elucidating the takeaway of the speech for the audience.
• A reference back to the introduction of the speech.
• An open-ended question to ponder upon.

If the last line of your speech is as important as the introduction segment where you make the claim. The weight and impact of the last sentence decides how memorable your speech would be. If you don’t feel like dropping the mic after the last sentence of your speech, maybe it’s not as mind-blowing and impactful as it ideally should be. 

If you are looking to seek more advice on how you can structure your formal speeches more professionally , be sure to check out our guidelines.

Informal Speeches

Informal speeches are casual and relaxed. They are made while talking to friends, colleagues or people you personally know. There are no hard and fast rules while making an informal speech other than somehow conveying the message you want to convey. 

What makes a speech informal?

Informal speeches radiate a very comfortable and relaxed energy. They’re friendlier than formal speeches and they often carry the personality of the person addressing them. A few characteristics that can help you identify informal speeches are:

Since casual speeches don’t require a very strict preparation like formal speeches, they are often easygoing. Informal speeches are made sporadically and are mostly off the record. The level of ease informal speeches carry can differ from person to person given how extroverted they are, or how comfortable they are with the audience. 

Informal speeches sound colourful. In the sense, the speaker is given the liberty to express themselves as they truly are. They don’t have a monotonous tone like formal speeches. The speaker can add their own slang, phrases they normally use, their personality, their dialects and in general make the speech as entertaining and fun as they please. 

Informal speeches give you the artistic and comedic liberty to put forth your message. While formal speeches usually adhere to the strictness of sounding ‘serious’ and ‘professional’, informal speeches are like laid back and pleasurable conversations.

You do not normally talk in complex sentence structures or dramatically use vocabulary. Likewise, informal speeches are often simple and straightforward. They use short sentences and terms and references from day-to-day life. You may use words and phrases like ‘that’s dope’, ‘don’t be salty’, ‘bruh’, ‘I’m shook’, ‘No cap’ etc. 

Informal speech is used in day-to-day life. Unlike other languages, most English speakers tend to speak informally with strangers on the street. While they’re friendly, they might not necessarily be polite if the listener cannot interpret the tone of your speech. 

Since informal speeches are more often used in everyday life, they don’t really have a structure. They do not require an introduction, a body or a conclusion. Apart from the unspoken rules of exchanging pleasantries and courtesy, you do not need to ‘prepare’ anything formal, just have the idea of what you want to say in mind.

A few examples of informal speeches would be:

• A Best Man’s Speech for his Brother’s Wedding: In this example, the occasion is properly informal. The speaker is amongst friends and family, speaking about his brother and his new wife. It is hilarious and also contains a poem to deliver the message!

• A Valedictorian Speech for the Class of 2010: In this example, while the occasion is formal, the speaker has very cleverly added a subtle informal tone while still maintaining the collective polite structure. He framed all inside jokes in a way everybody could understand. It was overall confident, humorous, ingenious and a great valedictorian speech.

What are the Main Differences Between Formal and Informal Speeches?

The following table elucidates the main differences between formal and informal speeches, summarising all its characteristics.

Case Study: A Sales Pitch

Let’s study the an applied example of formal and informal speeches. The above video is a sales pitch for electric cars. There are two characters in this video, each used in informal speech and formal speech respectively. Let us analyse both their speeches to understand how you can implement the two styles in your communication. 

Informal Speech

The first man uses an informal style of speech. He begins his speech by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, electric cars. They’re totally gay.” Naturally, in a work environment where formal tones are expected, the opening statement left all the members of the meeting stupefied. They found his speech disrespectful and all the faces around the room were either shocked, perplexed or disapproving. The casual tone could have easily been found offensive on the pretext of homophobia. He also says things like ‘rock-and-roll-ness’, ‘sexiness of the car’, ‘this model took more virginities than Francis Albert Sinatra’, which can come across as rather controversial in a formal business meeting. Gradually, the informal and blunt approach did work out for the salesperson. However, the chances of it being successful are bleak and you could just be overruled any time. Using a formal tone is therefore a safer option.

Formal Speech

The second man in the film, referred to as Nicholas, takes over and summarises the pitch using formal speech. He uses statements like, ‘We believe we can produce the technology to incorporate an electric motor in your current model.’ He said the exact same thing the first man was trying to communicate but in a far more classy manner. Instead of calling it ‘sexy’ or ‘rock-and-roll’, he refers to its features as ‘exhilarating’ and ‘aggressive’, making the experience ‘visceral’ and retaining a manly retro element of the car than making it look ‘gay’. 

This example distinguishing formal speech with informal speech hopefully gives you a thorough idea of what they are. However, when should you use formal speech? And when should you give an informal speech?

Should you use Formal Speech or Informal Speech?

Knowing what speech is best suited for the given situation always depends on the context. You should be intelligent enough to be able to recognize situations that demand a formal tone and situations that can be handled casually.

Generally, informal speeches are made at weddings while giving a toast or at birthdays to express love etc. Formal speeches are made in professional settings, work places, educational institutes, talking to authorities, job interviews, business meetings, negotiations, elders or people you don’t know.  

However, sometimes in job interviews, the interviewer can be looking for what your personality is like. In situations like this, you need to tone down how formally you talk. Some corporate cultures embrace a casual and informal tone in their business affairs while some companies prefer individuals who can maintain a strong formal and professional persona. 

When you are doubtful about what speech to use, always stick to formal speech. While informal speech is friendly, formal speech is polite. It establishes goodwill and credibility. Although it’s not good to be overly formal either. Saying “Greetings, let me guide you through the floorplans of this building so you can navigate the office easily.” is frankly absurd and foolish. Being too formal can also come across as cold, distant and ironically even impolite. You do not want to be a robot. Sometimes saying, “Good morning, allow me to give you an office tour.” does just the right thing.

To Conclude,

A good communicator can not only convey any kind of message to their audience but also convey their message to any kind of audience. And in order to achieve this, a good communicator is the master of the art of speech as well as the master of knowing the audience and what tone they would appreciate. 

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3.3: Formal and Informal Language

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• Save as PDF
• Page ID 108259

• Lisa Coleman, Thomas King, & William Turner
• Southwest Tennessee Community College

Learning Outcomes

• Differentiate between informal and formal language.
• Determine the different types of informal language.
• Understand improper language and biased language.

Competent communicators adapt their words to their audience and the communication context. For example, in a text to your best friend, you are going to use more casual words and grammar than in a paper you turn in to your English professor. One of these contexts calls for formal language whereas informal language is fine for the other.

Formal vs. Informal Language

Formal language is official and academic language.  You should use formal language in papers, written discussions, tests, research papers, resumes, and cover letters. 

Informal Language

Informal language is a common, everyday language, which might include slang words. It is casual and continually changing. We use informal language when we talk to others, and when you look at your text messages, you will probably see several examples of informal language.

Jargon is the specialized or technical language of a specific group or profession that may not be understood by outsiders. If you are really into cars or computers, you probably know a lot about the different parts and functions as well as terms or jargon that a general audience wouldn’t understand. Jargon is usually appropriate when communicating with others in your profession or group but should be avoided unless you are certain the people you are speaking to are familiar with the terms. Your Dictionary.com provides a list of commonly heard jargon phrases used in the business world. ( https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-jargon-in-the-workplace.html ). 

• Blue-sky thinking - A creative idea that doesn't always have a practical application
• Think outside the box - Don't limit your thinking; use your creativity
• The helicopter view - An overview of a job or a project
• Drink our own champagne - A phrase meaning that a business will use the same product that they sell to their customers. The champagne is an indicator of a good product.
• Heavy lifting - The most difficult aspects of a project, as in, "Bill is doing all the heavy lifting for us!"
• Hammer it out - To type something up
• Win-win situation - A solution where all parties are satisfied with the results

Chances are you have heard a few of these jargon phrases, but others may be new to you. Take a minute and think through all of the jargon you hear on an average day.

Colloquialisms

What do you call a carbonated beverage?  Is it a soda, soft drink, a Coke, or a pop?  The colloquialism you use is most likely determined by where you grew up. Colloquialisms are informal words that vary from region to region. Examples might be “wanna” instead of “want to” or “gonna” instead of “going to.”

 How many of these colloquialisms do you use?

• Ballpark - used to describe something that is close to accurate
• Bomb - to do terribly on a test
• Flake - a person who cancels plans regularly or the act of regularly canceling plans
• Raincheck - a promise to reschedule plans that had to be canceled
• Ride shotgun - to sit in the front passenger seat of a car
• Go bananas, or go nuts – go insane or be very angry
• Pop into my head – to have a new thought
• Wanna – want to
• Y’all – you all
• Yinz – you all

Slang refers to informal words that are used within certain groups, such as young adults and teens. You most certainly use different slang expressions than your parents or grandparents. Slang is often used in conversations with those who are similar and have experience with each other and should be avoided in academic and professional writing (including emails), speeches and presentations, and even in class and group discussions (unless you are absolutely certain everyone else uses the same slang as you). How many of these slang expressions do you use?

• Bye Felicia (saying goodbye to someone you don’t like)
• The Tea (gossip)
• Bro (typically a male friend)
• Cash (money)
• Cheesy (cheap or tacky)
• Ship (wanting people to be in a relationship, whether real or fictional)
• Frenemy (someone who is both a friend and an enemy)
• Thirsty (being overly eager or desperate)
• Throw Shade (to insult another person)
• YOLO (you only live once)
• Woke (being acutely aware of social injustice within society)

What is common slang today could be completely outdated tomorrow? Dominic-Madori Davis gives examples of slang expressions from Gen. Z (people born 1997 ---) along with their Baby Boomer (people born 1946 – 1964) equivalent.

Gen Z: That movie was fire ; you have to check it out.                    Baby Boomer: I liked that movie; it was groovy .

Gen Z : You really look salty right now.  What happened?               Baby Boomer:  You really look hacked off .  What happened?

Gen Z : Their dress at prom was a lewk.                                        Baby Boomer : Yeah, they were all decked out.

Idioms are expressions or figures of speech that are used in everyday speech that has been given meaning over time because of common usage.  Idioms can be especially hard to grasp for new residents or citizens because the actual words in the idiom have very little relationship to the overall meaning of the phrase. Do you know the meaning of the following idioms?

• Stir up a hornet’s nest
• Bite off more than you can chew
• Under the weather
• Sat on a fence
• The ball is in your court

Clichés

A cliché is a once-clever word or phrase that has lost its impact through overuse. If you spoke or wrote in clichés, how would others react? Let’s try it. How do you react when you read this sentence: “A cliché is something to avoid like the plague, for it is nothing but a tired old warhorse, and if the shoe were on the other foot, you too would have an ax to grind”? As you can see, the problem with clichés is that they often sound silly or boring. Clichés are sometimes seen as a symptom of lazy communication—the person using the cliché hasn’t bothered to search for original words to convey the intended meaning. As a result, they can be obstacles to successful communication. Avoid cliches in academic or professional writing and speeches.

Textspeak is the language and spelling that people use when they are writing text messages.  Textspeak is fine in your personal life but is inappropriate for academic assessments and most communication in the workplace.  Most students realize that textspeak is inappropriate in essays and research papers, but the words and grammar still show up where they shouldn't, such as emails between students and instructors, or on classroom discussion boards.  Although emails and discussion boards are less formal than research papers, they still should be written with care and consideration for the reader.  It is important to use capital letters when called for and to use punctuation appropriately, important details that are often omitted in textspeak.

Mindfulness Activity

Researchers have found that when college students can address their emotions and are mindful of their feelings, it can enhance written communication with others. 31 After doing this activity, try to be more mindful of the things that you send to other people.

Key Takeaways

• Formal language is more careful and more mannered than everyday speech, whereas informal language is appropriate in casual conversation.
• Informal language includes (1) Jargon, or technical language; (2) Colloquialism, or informal expressions; (3) Slang, or nonstandard language; (4) Idioms, or expressions or figures of speech; (5) clichés, or sayings that are overused and predictable.
• Create a list of jargon or slang words that you use and what they mean. Ask your parents or grandparents to share some of the slang they grew up hearing.  Compare your lists. 
• Create a list of colloquialisms or idioms. Find an international student and see if these words make sense. What was confusing or unclear?
• Ask an international friend or classmate to share clichés that are used in his or her culture, or locate clichés through research. See if you can find an American equivalent of each cliché.

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5 easy tips for how to speak informally like a true native.

Forgot password, new student, returning student, welcome back, want to teach for langu, ready 5 easy tips for how to speak informally like a true native..

Last time, we discussed the importance of choosing the right filler words . But that’s not the only way you can improve your fluency. Want to put your language skills to use and make some friends? To connect with someone, you need to use a common language. Very often, that means forgetting many things you read about in your textbook. How is that even possible?

Do you want to sound like a book, or a person?

France? Haven't been there

Casual speech

Imma, gonna, wanna, tryna, youtube or youchube.

When you start learning a new language, you may use textbooks to help you organise new vocabulary and grammar concepts. Think of it as a guided introduction to a new language and culture. Such books often use simple sentences spoken with a clear distinguishable accent so that beginners and intermediate students can follow. However useful , they often don't represent how people actually speak.

More advanced students tend to forget about this. They stick to coursebooks that focus on complex sentences and sophisticated synonyms. It makes sense given their goals: job interviews, studying at a university, working in government institutions or companies. But as a result, informal and casual interactions like a friendly chat between colleagues are neglected. If you keep practising the use of language in formal situations only, how can you freely communicate outside of them?

Our daily communication is often marred by inconsistencies, imperfections, and hesitations. You will find that missing from audio dialogues in coursebooks. Here’s how you can practice informal language skills:

• Watch YouTube, movies and TV shows portraying daily-life situations
• Listen to lifestyle radio stations and podcasts presented by native speakers
• Use live chat messengers and live video chats to talk to people
• Befriend some native speakers and hang out together
• Listen to pop music and rap
• Rewrite formal sentences using phrasal verbs, idioms, and slang to make them sound informal
• Check dictionaries to learn new idioms

If you keep practising the use of language in formal situations only, how can you freely communicate outside of them?

France? Haven’t been there

For starters, we’re taught that in English you need to include a pronoun indicating who does what. Verbs usually look the same, so you can imagine how confusing it would be otherwise! However, what you’re not taught is that in informal speech it’s perfectly fine to omit pronouns in the right situation! You cannot do it willy-nilly , there are some rules that you need to obey:

• Pronouns cannot be dropped in a yes/no question
• Pronouns cannot be dropped in a wh-question
• Pronouns cannot be dropped in embedded clauses, i.e. in longer sentences interjected in the main sentence (think of longer parts of the sentence separated by commas)
• Stressed pronouns cannot be dropped

Here are a few examples of acceptable pronoun omission that you might hear at some point in a casual conversation:

• Can’t help you, sorry instead of I can’t help you, I’m sorry
• France? Haven’t been there instead of France? I haven't been there
• I hate autumn, always rains here instead of I hate autumn, it always rains here

If you’re into linguistics and academic writing, check the article by Andrew Weir on subject pronoun drop in English ! In the article you will find more examples and learn about the differences in pronoun omission between spoken and written English.

What's a better way of practising pronunciation than with a native? Check our teachers who specialise in accent classes.

Informality can be expressed with more than just grammar and vocabulary. It applies to pronunciation as well. One of the many features of casual speech is the so-called ‘ relaxed pronunciation .’ It is exactly what makes words flow so much better! Unfortunately, such changes are rarely discussed in coursebooks. So let’s go through some more noticeable examples.

Have you noticed that ‘him’ very often sounds like ‘im’ or that ‘have’ sounds more like ‘uv’? The initial ‘h’ in words: he , him , his , her , hers , has , have , had is often dropped if the words are not accented. In some accents and regional varieties, such as the Cockney accent from London , this is further extended to other words starting with ‘h,’ such as house , historical , hot and so on. This process is called h-dropping. Just try it yourself and say I haven’t seen him without pronouncing the ‘h’ sound and with more focus on connecting words instead. You’ll notice how smooth this sentence sounds now!

If you listen to pop and rap songs, you surely must have heard words like imma or gotta . They illustrate elision – the process in which a sound or a syllable is omitted. It can truly help you save a precious second or two! No surprise it’s used in songs to improve the rhythm and flow. There are many flavours of elision in English. For example, it frequently occurs with the ‘t’ sound (especially in American English varieties):

• want to → wanna ,
• got to → gotta ,
• going to → gonna and I’m going to → imma ,
• trying to → tryna ,
• ought to → oughta ,

But not only – elision is often used with have as well:

• could have → coulda ,
• should have → shoulda ,
• would have → woulda .

And if that’s not enough, here are a few other notable examples of elision which you can incorporate in daily life conversation:

• kind of → kinda , 
• sort of → sorta ,
• come on → c’mon ,
• let me → lemme ,
• give me → gimme ,
• don’t know → dunno .

Isn’t that strange how many YouTubers seem to mispronounce the name of the platform? For some reason the ‘t’ sound in YouTube becomes a ‘ch’ sound. This process is called a ‘coalescent assimilation’ – I know, it sounds very scary. The rules are actually simple, so let me write it down for you and you’ll see it’s as easy as pie !

• t + 'y' sound = ‘ch’ sound : YouTube → YouChube ; what ya doing ? → whatcha doing ?; I’m mad at you → I’m mad atchyou
• d + 'y' sound = English soft ‘g’ sound : would you? → wudge you; where did you go? → where didgeyou go?
• s + ‘y’ sound’ = ‘sh’ sound : I miss you => I mish you , 
• z + ‘y’ sound’ = French soft ‘g’ sound : Has your car broken down? => Hedge your car broken down?

If this still looks confusing to you, watch this handy video with examples. This should better illustrate the differences in pronunciation as you can hear the sentences!

Want to work on your accent to sound like native? Check the teachers offering pronunciation classes !

And if you’re familiar with academic language and International Phonetic Alphabet (which is very helpful when learning foreign languages!), we also recommend checking this page for more information. There you will find some really useful tips on how to improve your pronunciation.

Ultimately, everything depends on how often you practise conversations. Try to incorporate some slang and casual speech into your daily life and you’ll see how quickly your fluency and mastery of language can improve!

This is the second entry in the series 7 tried tips on how to sound like a true native,  the first one being available right here . Stay tuned for more blog posts!

Useful vocabulary

• however + adjective – despite being (adjective)
• marred by – spoiled, made worse and less enjoyable
• willy-nilly – without any planning, order, or structure, in a random manner
• as easy as pie – very easy

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Understanding Formal vs. Informal Language: A Comprehensive Guide

English is a flexible language that allows us to communicate across different contexts. Whether speaking with friends, writing an academic paper, or giving a professional presentation, the level of formality used can vastly change the meaning and impact. Understanding when to use formal versus informal English and switching between the two is a key communication skill.

This comprehensive guide will examine the key differences between formal and informal English, provide examples of each, discuss when to use them, and give tips for navigating between the two registers smoothly. With the information provided here, you will be able to confidently adapt your communication style to fit any situation.

What is Formal English?

Formal English is used in professional, academic, or official settings. It is characterized by its adherence to grammatical rules, precise vocabulary, and structured tone. Formal language is commonly employed in professional correspondence, academic papers, and business communication. It has a serious tone and demonstrates respect for the audience. Some key characteristics include:

• Complete sentences and proper grammar
• Advanced vocabulary and longer words
• Lack of slang, idioms, contractions
• Objective and precise language
• Third person perspective rather than first person.

For example, in a formal email to a potential employer, one would use phrases like "Dear Mr. Smith" and "Sincerely yours," maintaining a respectful and professional tone.

In academic writing, phrases like "Furthermore," "In addition," and "Moreover" are commonly used to link ideas and provide logical transitions between points. 

Similarly, in legal documents, formal language is crucial for precision and clarity. Terms like "hereinafter," "notwithstanding," and "heretofore" are used to establish legal relationships and define specific rights and obligations. 

What is Informal English?

In contrast, informal English is used in casual, spontaneous, and friendly conversations. It has a more relaxed, conversational tone. Informal language often includes colloquial expressions or slang. It fosters a sense of familiarity and closeness between individuals. 

Some informal English features include:

• Incomplete sentences and fragmented phrases
• Simplified grammar and structure
• Slang, idioms, phrasal verbs
• Contractions like isn’t, don’t, haven’t, they’re
• First and second person perspectives
• Opinions rather than facts
• Repetition of words or phrases for emphasis.

Among friends, one might say, "Hey, what's up?" instead of the more formal "How are you?".

In formal English we would say: "The research methodology requires modification in order to achieve more accurate results." In informal English we would say: "We gotta change how we're doing the research to get better results."

When to Use Formal English

The level of formality used depends greatly on the situation, audience, and purpose of communication. Using formal language conveys professionalism, respect, and seriousness.

Formal English is most appropriate for:

• When communicating with someone you don't know well
• When addressing superiors or authority figures
• Official communications like cover letters, resumes, presentations
• Job interviews and business meetings
• Academic writing such as research papers, essays, dissertations
• Official documents like contracts, application forms, letters to authority figures
• Diplomatic protocol
• Legal documents
• Speaking in professional or academic settings
• Writing for a general audience.

When to Use Informal English

Informal language facilitates casual interactions and fosters a sense of camaraderie among peers. It allows for spontaneity and authenticity in communication, creating a relaxed atmosphere. For example, during a lunch break with colleagues, one might say, "Let's grab a bite to eat," using informal language to suggest a casual outing.

Informal English works best for:

• Informal meetings and social gatherings 
• Casual conversations with friends, family, peers
• Personal communications like text messages, emails, social media
• Creative writing such as poetry, fiction, lyrics
• When it is appropriate - in advertising and marketing
• Speaking to children or in relaxed social situations
• Writing for a familiar audience
• On social media.

For example, a job interview calls for formal English but chatting with co-workers around the office can be informal. 

The language used when publishing an academic paper would be much more formal than writing in a personal journal.

Examples of Formal vs. Informal

Let’s look at some examples to see the key differences between formal and informal style:

Examples of formal language: "I apologize for the inconvenience caused."

Examples of informal language: “Sorry about that.”

Formal: "Could you please provide me with further information?"

Informal: “Can you tell me more about it?”

Formal: "The company is experiencing a decline in revenue."

Informal: “The company's not making as much money as before.”

Formal: "It is essential to complete the project by the deadline."

Informal: “We need to finish the project on time.”

Formal: "I am interested in learning more about the job opportunity."

Informal: “I wanna know more about the job.”

Formal: "The meeting has been rescheduled to next Monday."

Informal: “We're meeting next Monday instead.”

Formal: "We need to address the issue as soon as possible."

Informal: “Let's deal with the problem ASAP.”

Formal: "I am writing to inquire about the status of my application."

Informal: “Just checking on my application. Any updates?”

Formal: "It is imperative that we adhere to company policies."

Informal: “We gotta follow the rules.”

Formal: "Please find attached the requested documents."

Informal: “I've sent the stuff you asked for.”

As you can see, formal English relies on sophisticated vocabulary, full sentences, and an objective tone. 

Informal English uses more casual language, contractions, idioms, and a conversational style.

Formal & Informal Verbs 

Verbs are an important part of speech that can shift in formality. In formal English, verbs are properly conjugated and tense is used precisely. In informal English, verbs may be truncated or conjugated loosely. Moreover, formal English relies on verbs like utilize, facilitate, elucidate, while informal English uses simpler verbs like use, help, explain. Choosing verbs carefully is key for controlling formality level.

Examples of informal language: "Let's go grab lunch."

Examples of formal language: “We should proceed to have lunch.”

Informal: "I gotta finish this by tomorrow."

Formal: “I must complete this by tomorrow.”

Informal: "She's gonna call you back later."

Formal: “She will contact you at a later time.”

Informal: "He's been seeing a therapist."

Formal: “He has been consulting with a therapist.”

Informal: "We're heading out soon."

Formal: "We are departing shortly."

Formal & Informal Abbreviations 

Abbreviations are generally more common in informal English. Contractions like shouldn’t, don’t, or can’t are acceptable in moderation in informal contexts, but should be avoided in formal writing. For example:

Examples of informal language: "I don’t think we should go."

Examples of formal language: “I do not think we should go.”

Other informal abbreviations like kinda, gonna, gotta would be out of place in formal communication. For instance:

Informal: "I’m kinda tired."

Formal: “I am somewhat fatigued.”

Acronyms like ASAP or BTW are casual ways to shorten information that would be written out fully in formal English, such as “as soon as possible” and “by the way.”

Informal: "BTW, I'll be there in 10."

Formal: “By the way, I will arrive there in ten minutes.”

Informal: "ASAP, please."

Formal: “As soon as possible, if you would.”

Informal: "FYI, the meeting's been rescheduled."

Formal: “For your information, the meeting has been rescheduled.”

Informal: "IDK if I can make it."

Formal: “I don't know if I will be able to attend.”

Informal: "LOL, that's hilarious!"

Formal: “That is amusing.”

However, abbreviations like e.g. (stands for "exempli gratia," which means "for example") and i.e. (stands for "id est," which means "that is") are conventions accepted even in formal writing. 

Knowing which abbreviations align with the register being used is important.

Formal & Informal Slang

Slang should be predominantly confined to informal communication, where it adds color and informality. Slang terms like cool, dude, easy peasy, cringe, or yikes would not be appropriate for a professional context. Other very casual slang like wanna, gotta, or gimme have no place in formal communication. 

However, slang can be used judiciously in some informal business contexts, marketing, or advertising to convey authenticity. In formal academic writing, slang would generally detract from the scholarly tone, unless being analyzed or intentionally used in quotes or dialogue. Being able to recognize slang as too informal for most professional and academic purposes is a key linguistic skill.

Examples of informal language: "That's lit!"

Examples of formal language: “That is impressive.”

Informal: "She's a total boss."

Formal: “She is highly competent.”

Informal: "I'm gonna bail on the party."

Formal: “I will not attend the party.”

Informal: "This place is a dump."

Formal: “This location is in poor condition.”

Informal: "He's such a slacker."

Formal: "He lacks motivation."

Formal & Informal Emphasis Words

Words used for emphasis also differ between registers. In formal English, words like notably, significantly, substantially might be used to stress key information. For example, “The new policy will substantially improve employee retention.” 

In informal English, words like so, really, super, and totally can emphasize points instead. For instance, “This pizza is so amazing!” Likewise, informal emphasis words like absolutely, obviously, and literally are frequently overused in casual conversation, while formal English relies more on logic and facts for impact. Knowing when to temper emphasis is important for appropriate formality.

Examples of informal language: "She's really talented."

Examples of formal language: “She is exceptionally talented.”

Informal: "That's so cool!"

Formal: “That is quite impressive.”

Informal: "He's incredibly smart."

Formal: “He is highly intelligent.”

Informal: "This is super important."

Formal: “This is of utmost importance.”

Informal: "It's really fun."

Formal: "It is quite enjoyable."

Formal & Informal Transitions

Formal English utilizes transitional words and phrases to create structured, logical connections between ideas. Common formal transitions include: therefore, consequently, as a result, in conclusion, etc. Academic writing also relies heavily on transitions like: however, furthermore, additionally, in contrast. 

In informal English, transitions tend to be more direct and conversational. For instance: then, next, after, also, well, anyhow, anyway, so, and then. While all languages benefit from transitions, formal English requires more sophisticated and precise transitions to develop academic arguments or professional narratives.

Examples of informal language: "Anyway, let's move on."

Examples of formal language: “In any case, let us proceed.”

Informal: "But hey, that's life."

Formal: “However, such is life.”

Informal: "So, what's the plan?"

Formal: “Therefore, what is the proposed course of action?”

Informal: "And then, she said..."

Formal: “Furthermore, her statement was...”

Informal: "Well, I think..."

Formal: "Indeed, I believe..."

Other Formal and Informal Words

In addition to verbs, abbreviations, slang, and transitions, many other types of words vary in formality.

For example, formal English relies on Latin-derived vocabulary like "utilize" instead of simpler words like "use." Words of French origin like "commence" or "facilitate" are also more formal.

Informal English embraces more casual, colloquial words like "hang out" instead of "socialize." Direct words like "go," "big," or "stop" are more informal than elaborate options like "proceed," "substantial," or “cease.”

Likewise, descriptive words differ in formality. Formal words include "systematic," "adequate," "erroneous," while casual options are "organized," "enough," “wrong.”

Modes of address also change; formal English uses titles like "Doctor," "Professor," "Sir/Ma'am" versus informal choices like "Doc," "Dr. [Surname]," or first names.

In short, formal English adopts sophisticated, precise vocabulary while informal English uses common, everyday words. Considering connotations of formality helps determine word choice.

Here are some more examples:

Formal: Commence, elucidate, aforementioned

Informal: Start, explain, above-mentioned

Formal: Consequently, furthermore, however

Informal: So, also, but

Formal: Purchase, inquire, residence

Informal: Buy, ask, house

Formal: Colleague, companion, physician

Informal: Co-worker, friend, doctor

Formal: Utilize, terminate, approximately

Informal: Use, stop, about

Formal: Huge, tiny, acceptable, amiable, rude

Informal: Enormous, diminutive, okay, friendly, disagreeable.

Tips for Switching Between Formal and Informal

As English learners, mastering the art of navigating between formal and informal language is essential for effective communication. Pay attention to the context and audience when choosing the appropriate register. Practice reading and listening to various forms of English to familiarize yourself with formal and informal expressions. Additionally, seek feedback from native speakers or language instructors to refine your language skills.

Here are some tips for smoothly switching between formal and informal English:

• Identify your audience and purpose first - this determines the appropriate register
• Make formal writing clearer and more direct; avoid unnecessarily complex language
• Use contractions and personal pronouns to add a conversational tone when appropriate
• Gradually introduce idioms and phrasal verbs to add color to informal speech
• Temper opinions and personal perspectives in formal contexts
• Use the third person point-of-view for objectivity
• Proofread to check formality level matches the situation
• Read texts aloud to identify any language that sounds too formal or informal
• Ask others to review to get feedback on your formality level
• Consume quality examples of formal and informal English.

With practice, you will be able to artfully adapt your communication style to connect with any audience in a meaningful way.

Formal & Informal Letter Expressions

The language used in letters and emails can vary greatly between formal and informal contexts. In formal letters and professional correspondence, standard greetings like “Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname]” are used along with formal closings such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” 

Informal emails and personal notes use more casual openings like “Hey” or “Hi [First Name]” and sign-offs like “Thanks!” or “Talk soon.”

Likewise, formal expressions of gratitude include “Thank you for your consideration” while informal emails use simpler phrases like “Thanks for helping me out.” 

Making requests also changes with formality, for example, “I would appreciate if you could provide an update at your earliest convenience” versus “Can you give me an update when you get a chance?” 

Formal letters also tend to use longer, complete sentences whereas informal notes often use sentence fragments and brief phrases. Adjusting letter language based on the relationship with the recipient and the purpose of the message is key for conveying respect and formality when needed.

• Formal letter opening:

Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],

To whom it may concern,

Dear Sir/Madam,

• Informal letter opening:

Hey [Friend's Name],

Hi [Friend's Name],

Dear [Friend's Name],

• Formal letter closing:

Yours faithfully,

Respectfully,

• Informal letter closing:

Best wishes,

• Formal gratitude expression:

Thank you for taking the time to consider my proposal. I appreciate your assistance.

• Informal gratitude expression:

Thx for the help!

• Formal request:

I would be grateful if you could provide an update on the status of my application at your earliest convenience.

• Informal request:

Can you let me know if you’ve heard anything about my application?

Promova Language Learning Options

Promova offers a wide range of effective English learning options to help improve your language skills. Whether you prefer online group lessons, personalized 1-on-1 tutoring, or learning through our convenient mobile app, Promova has the right tools to help you master English communication for any situation, formal or informal.

Our  online group classes connect you with expert tutors and fellow students in a virtual classroom, allowing you to actively practice conversing in English. These sessions are not only about conversational skills but also cover essential aspects of the language such as grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, and writing.

For those seeking personalized attention, our online English tutors offer  individual, 1-on-1 classes tailored to your skills, goals, and schedule. Whether you want to study business English, prepare for international exams, get ready for travel, or ace a job interview, our teachers are here to help you achieve your objectives.

For self-paced learning on-the-go, our  innovative language learnin app , available for both  Android and  iOS smartphones, offers courses in 10 languages including German, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Ukrainian, Korean, Arabic, and Chinese.

Promova also provides a  quick placement test to assess your current English level, so we can customize your learning plan.

The key to skilfully using language is understanding when formal or informal English is best suited for the occasion. While informal language serves us well in relaxed, personal environments, formal English gives credibility and respect in professional academic settings.

Learning to identify situational cues, become comfortable code-switching between the two registers, and seeking feedback will enable you to effectively navigate diverse social and rhetorical contexts. Whether drafting an email to your professor or chatting with friends, you will be able to communicate with purpose and intention.

Confidently using both formal and informal language is a valuable skill that demonstrates linguistic dexterity and emotional intelligence. With this comprehensive guide from Promova, you now have the knowledge needed to tailor your communication style to any audience or situation.

Is formal English required for all academic writing?

Generally yes, formal English is expected in academic writing to demonstrate objectivity and respect for the audience. However, exceptions can be made for creative works, dialogues, or quoted passages which intentionally use informal language.

Can I use contractions in formal writing?

Occasional use of contractions can be acceptable in formal writing, depending on the specific context and level of formality required. However, it's important to use them judiciously and consider the overall tone and style of the writing. In more formal settings such as academic papers, professional correspondence, or official documents, contractions are generally avoided to maintain a more serious and precise tone. However, in less formal situations such as certain types of business communication or informal reports, the use of contractions may be more acceptable. Ultimately, it's best to follow any guidelines provided by the specific context or audience.

Is it acceptable to use some informal language in a job interview?

It’s best to maintain formal English when interviewing, as this shows professionalism. After being hired, workplace culture determines how much informality is appropriate with colleagues.

How can I improve my formal writing skills?

Promova offers various learning opportunities to help you enhance your formal writing skills. Our online group classes and personalized 1-on-1 tutoring sessions are designed to cater to your specific needs and goals, whether you're looking to improve grammar, expand your vocabulary, or refine your writing style. Our expert tutors provide constructive feedback and guidance to help you develop clarity, precision, and professionalism in your formal writing. Additionally, our language learning app offers interactive lessons and exercises focused on formal language usage, allowing you to practice and reinforce your skills at your own pace. With Promova, you'll receive the support and tools you need to become a confident and proficient formal writer.

Is it appropriate to use emojis in formal emails?

Emojis are generally not suitable for formal emails or professional communication as they can be perceived as unprofessional or immature. It's best to express emotions and tone through the content of the message rather than relying on emojis.

Can I use personal pronouns in formal writing?

Personal pronouns such as "I," "you," and "we" should be used sparingly in formal writing, particularly in academic or professional contexts where objectivity and impartiality are valued. Instead, focus on conveying ideas and information objectively without relying heavily on personal pronouns. Use third-person pronouns or passive voice when appropriate.

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Informal & Professional English Greetings for Every Situation

Dec 7, 2022 | Advanced Vocabulary

This lesson was originally posted in February 2016. It was updated in December 2022 with new content and a video lesson.

Have you ever heard someone you don’t know say, 

• Hey, what’s up?
• Hi, how’s it going?

Perhaps it was a stranger you walked past in your neighborhood. Or someone you’ve seen at work once or twice but you don’t really know.

What exactly are they asking? Do they want to know how your day is going?

And is it polite or respectful to say “Hey, how’s it going” even with people you don’t know very well, like your neighbors?

Well. Sometimes. 

In this Confident English lesson, you’ll learn other ways to say hello in English with greetings for professional situations, casual conversations, and encounters with strangers or people you don’t know well. 

You’ll understand the nuances of age, for example greeting peers vs. someone older than you.

And you’ll l earn a common structure of English greetings – most of the time, we don’t stop with a simple hello.  

Lastly, if you’re not sure what someone really wants to know when they say, “What’s up” or “How’s it going”, we’ll talk about that too. Including when someone truly wants to know how you’re doing.

English Greetings for Informal and Professional Situations — Other Ways to Say Hello

Common structure for english greetings.

Let’s start with a structure you’re likely to hear (and use) for spoken greetings in English. 

In an effort to be friendly and polite, it’s not uncommon for an English speaker to casually greet a friend, a neighbor, an acquaintance, or even a stranger with a greeting such as 

• Hey, how are ya?

To be clear, these are casual, friendly greetings that can be used in a variety of situations. 

And they all mean one thing: hello .

These are simple, polite greetings that acknowledge someone’s presence or take the first step in starting a conversation.

In this structure, you have a single greeting word (hi/hey) + a question. 

For example, How’s it going or what’s up?

However, this isn’t the same as asking: how are you? 

It’s not an invitation to talk about your day, how you’re feeling, or what’s happening at work right now.

In fact, the only response expected is a similar: “ Hey, how’s it going ?” or “ Hi. Good. You? ”

In other words, you exchange one greeting with a similar greeting. No one shares specific details about how they are feeling or what is happening in their life.

What this means is two strangers might politely pass each other on the street and say: 

A: Hey, what’s up?

B: Hey, how’s it going?

In this exchange, they are simply saying hello to each other.

If that’s the case, then how do you know when someone is REALLY asking: How are you?

That’s a great question. And I’ll be answering shortly but first, let’s look at other ways to say hello casually and professionally.

English Greetings for Informal Situations

Let’s start with casual greetings to use most of the time, whether you’re greeting a friend, a coworker on the elevator, a neighbor you’ve never spoken to, or a complete stranger on an early morning walk.

Because I’m an American and I currently live in the U.S., I’ll focus on greetings used in the United States.

There may be common greetings where you live that I haven’t included here. 

If you’re not sure what to say, I recommend listening to others around you, particularly those who consistently speak with politeness, kindness, and warmth. Which greetings to they typically use? 

This is a good way to identify the best ways to say hello to others where you live.

Now here are several you can use: 

Good Morning

This is the most formal way to say hello in casual conversation but it’s also very friendly and warm. With this combination of formality and warmth, it’s perfect to use when passing by a stranger on a morning walk, greeting a neighbor, or saying hello to coworkers.

Of course, because it includes the word ‘morning’ we stop using it around noon.

Hello / Hi / Hey / Hey there 

These are all common ways of saying “hello” in a casual, friendly way, and quite often, these are immediately followed by a question such as…

How’s it going? / What’s going on? / How’s everything? 

These questions are typically combined with hi, hey, or hey there. For example

• Hey, how’s everything? 
• Hey there. How’s it going?
• Hello. How’s it going?

When responding to these greetings, the expectation is that you use simple answers or simply respond with a similar greeting. For example

• Good, thanks. You?
• Fine thanks, you?
• Everything’s great, thanks. You?

What’s up? / What’s new?

Similar to how’s it going but more informal is what’s up or what’s new . 

For example:

Common responses include:

• Hey, what’s new?

Here is an example dialogue:

A: Hey Mina, what’s up?

B: Oh, hey. Not much. How’s it going?

While not as common as hi or hey, you may occasionally hear “yo.” It is typically only used with individuals who know each other well and is more common

“Howdy” is a regional greeting, which means it is only used in some areas of the United States. 

Good to see you. / It’s been ages! (since I’ve seen you.) / Where have you been hiding? / What have you been up to? 

These are common greetings when you have not seen someone you know for some time and often follow a hi or hey .

These expressions can be used as part of your greeting when you see someone unexpectedly, at a party, a family gathering, etc. 

The question “ where have you been hiding ” invites conversation. It is a way of saying, “ How have you been? ” Here is an example dialogue:

A: Hey! It’s good to see you! It’s been ages! Where have you been hiding?

B: Hi Sue, what’s up? I’ve just been busy, working a lot of long hours. What about you? How have you been?

A: Everything’s good. Nothing new really.

English Greetings for Professional Situations

Let’s transition to situations in which we may need more formal or business professional language in English. Some common examples include

• Business meetings & negotiations
• At a job interview
• Communicating with high-level management
• Saying hello to the company president or CEO
• Meeting new business colleagues
• Communicating with new clients, high-level clients, angry clients

Good morning / Good afternoon / Good Evening

Good morning is the only one on this list that is commonly used in place of “hello” when greeting an individual. 

To be particularly respectful, you can also include the person’s last name, for example: “ Good morning, Ms Jones .” If you know someone well, you can also use their first name.

  When you are greeting a group of people – for example at a meeting – you can also say something such as:

• Good morning, everyone. I hope you are doing well this morning .

In greeting an entire group, this is also when someone might use Good afternoon or Good evening. 

For example, at the start of a presentation or lecture.

How do you do?

How do you do is a bit old-fashioned and not often used. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ve ever used it. 

It is also quite formal and is used when meeting someone for the first time. 

It’s often confused with the question “How are you?” but it isn’t a question at all. How do you do is a statement. A greeting. It’s an alternative to “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Hello / Hi 

Similar to the casual greetings we discussed, we’ll often start a professional conversation with a simple hi or hello.

How have you been doing? / How have you been?

Similar to asking “how’s it going,” these questions will often be used after a hi or hello as a polite greeting.

The expectation is to receive a short, positive focused response such as:

• Great, thank you. And you?
• Very well. How are you?
• Good thanks. How about you?

When does “How are you” mean “How are you?”

With our casual and professional greetings, we’ve heard many alternatives to the question “How are you” including

• How’s it going?
• What’s new?
• How have you been?

But none of them really ask, how are you? When those questions get asked in a greeting, we don’t really expect a lengthy conversation about how you’re doing.

So when does someone what a real answer? When does someone truly want to know how you are?

The secret: they will ask you twice. 

Imagine you unexpectedly see a coworker at the grocery store. Here’s what that conversation might sound like:

• Your Coworker: Hey Sue! Good to see you. How’s it going?
• You: Good thanks. And you?
• Your Coworker. Everything’s fine. Just busy with the kids, of course. So how are you? It’s been a tough few weeks at work with the looming deadline, hasn’t it?

What do you notice?

In that dialogue, the coworker asked ‘how are you’ a second time, after the initial polite greeting. When that happens, someone really wants to know how you’re doing.

I’d love to hear from you! What is your favorite greeting in English? 

In your English life, do you use informal or professional greetings more often? What lessons have you learned about greetings in English from your own experiences?

Please be sure to share your experiences or ask questions in the comments section below.

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Hello Annmarie, I’ve got a question. My Japanese colleague told me that once I said “Good morning” to greet someone in the morning, then I couldn’t use “Good afternoon” to greet the same person later that day. I should use “Hello” or “Hi” instead. Is this correct?

Hi Calla, interesting question. I have never heard that advice before. The greetings ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’ are perfectly appropriate at any time. They are both highly formal and polite. Using ‘hello’ or ‘hi’ are also okay. They are less formal and they suggest a level of closeness with the other person.

Thank you so much!💛

Hello Annmarie, Thank you dear, for your English lesson it was very helpful. 

You’re very welcome, Margaretha.

Hi Annmarie 🙋🏻‍♀️ I hope you and your husband are doing good in California. I‘m still constantly learning new things with you. Very easy and useful lesson. Thanks again! Deny

Hi Deny, it’s great to hear from you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this lesson. It’s surprising how much we can learn just about simple greetings.

Hi Anne!! What´s up? I found your video contents greatly informative and educational as well. I never miss any of your weekly presentations. I love the way U tell us about the latest as well as updated ways of communicating with others whoever the others are.

Thank you so much, Ana. I’m happy to know my lessons are so helpful to you!!

Good afternoon!! However, at time to say hello to someone you do not know just to gather his/her attention, in the USA people tend to keep distance. Days after I was told that it is a culture custom and was given a pice of advice that “never greet someone from behind”, depending on where I was, I could be in trouble.

Hi Annmarie, How is it going? How is life treating you? I’ve quite disconnected from your lessons. Basically, cos I passed my police force exam in Septemberand decided to have a small rest from English. My head was like a vase blender. Now, I feel a bit more relaxed and is high time to continue brushing my English with you. Thank you so much for how you teach everything to us.

Hi Victor, congrats on completing your police force exam! It’s totally normal to take breaks from time to time and I’m glad to have you back enjoying my lessons.

Thank you so much for this. İ praticed alot,thank you again,have a good day/night/evening/noon

İn our school,there will be a important english check up. Can İ make a greeting centence likd this?Greetings,İm glad to see you sir/ma’am.

Thank you for such an informative post. I have a question: could you greet a group of friends like Hello friends! Or it’s not common , and better to say Hey guys! thanks

Great question, Ann. Both are perfectly appropriate.

Interesting practical and useful. T/Y

Thanks so much Annemarie, it’s really educating

This article was so useful to me, similarly to other post of yours.

I’m glad to hear that, Sheila.

Thank you for this simple and very useful lesson. I am enjoying it so much

From my perspective, greeting goes hard for strangers because of being unaware of the native language in a certain ethnic group you are approaching but greeting senior or junior is much easy to distinguish by observing through appearance, job position, event on progress, the problem you are having to the person you are greeting.m e.g 1 you have gone the wrong way u need to ask u will use a very polite language. e.g 2 your lecturer is younger than but you will have to greet honorably .thank you

Thanks a lot for your help!!

Thank you. I am now in a position to distinguish types of greetings., because I will be teaching young learners who needs to be taught the righr thing at their age. That’s wonderful.

I want to in this course to speak English fluently without confusion and I want to improve my communication skills

Hi Saritha,

You can find out more about my available courses on my English courses page . Best, Annemarie

I got a clear picture of how to use the greetings. Thank you very much for such a wonderful way of describing how to use the various greetings.

thank you so much, this is very helpful

Hello Annemarie! This is the most exhaustive list of English greetings I have ever found. I’m writing a report on translating English greeting into Vietnamese or vice versa so I would like to cite your work in my report. Would you mind telling me how to cite it in the refference list of my report? I’m waiting for your answer. Thank you a lot.

Thank you for the comment and inquiring how to cite my work. I sincerely appreciate that and I’m thrilled to know this was helpful to you. Here is how you can site this page:

Fowler, Annemarie. “The Right Greeting for Every Situation in English.” Speak Confident English, 16 Feb. 2016, http://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/greetings-for-every-situation/ .

Didn’t find the answer for the questions that burns me a lot: two-three colleagues are chatting in the hall, you are approaching them and say “Good morning!” and …. is getting no sign of response: not a glance, not a wave, not a word…. Am I right to expect at least one of them? Do I need to ignore them at the first place ? Lastly, do I ignore someone’s greeting while conversing with somebody else?

Hi Vera, Thank you for sharing your question. That is a very frustrating situation and I have to say, I’m surprised. Can I ask what country this is in? I’m completely shocked that when you say “Good morning” you don’t get a glance or any responses. In my opinion, that is very rude of the others. I’ve always believed (and taught) that when someone says hello or greets you, you always greet them back. It’s the polite thing to do. Are these people you see every day? I think the decision about what to do is up to you. You …  Read more »

(Midwest American City perspective:) It could be contextual or non-verbal, or confusion, or just rudeness. If the conversation is critical (new emergency/imminent, high pressure meeting/personal correction) then, they may not spare the attention for those around them (still rude, if they’re in the hall). Probably not the case, if they’re just chatting in the hall. If they are in a conversation and you say “Good Morning” to the group, it would not be unusual for the person speaking to acknowledge the greeting non-verbally, typically by 1. Making eye contact, 2. slight smile, 3. slight lift of the chin for acknowledgement, …  Read more »

Hello Alex,

Thank you for sharing these helpful insights. You’re absolutely right that there are many reasons someone might not respond to a greeting.

In the end, it sounds to me like Vera has had this situation happen many times and that’s what I find shocking. It makes me sad to think people are being rude by not responding. I agree with your conclusion when you said, “I would continue to say ‘good morning’ and not think too much of it…” It’s always best to continue being polite, even if others aren’t.

Thanks for your comments.

this website is very inportant, i love it.

Thank you for your comment, Muktar. I’m happy it’s helpful to you.

Great! Your lesson like this opens the eyes of foreign language speakers like me. Please keep sharing.

Hello Mantegaftot,

Thank you for the comment. I’m happy to know you found it useful.

Thank you a lot, Annemarie! I appreciate your lessons, all are very helpful.

I’m so glad they’re helpful, Dildora! Thank you for your kind comment.

Hi How r u doing? Hopefully you are doing well.

Let me ask you: 1) Would you mind sending me conversation and dialogues between two friends how to overcome fear and shy short notice? 2) how can we speak with soneone confidently make him our friends ? 3) Could you send me such spoken English short and interesting congestion?

I am looking forward to seeing from you soon. Thank you very much for your help.

God bless you Abraham

Hello Abraham,

If you would like additional assistance in English, specifically with speaking, please review my Fluency School course. I offer it two times per year and that is the best place to get speaking practice and additional help from me. Thank you.

hello, do you have a YouTube channel so that i can follow your lesson there?

teacher annemarie, thank you very much for the time that you extended to me and i learnt a lot from you.

That’s great. I’m glad you’ve learned a lot, Aireen.

Interesting and useful indeed.Thank you very much,Annemarie.

I’m glad it was interesting and useful, Zou.

Thank you for your efforts us . We will done well

You’re very welcome.

Thank you so much. It’s so intresting and correct us a bit mistakes.

very interesting!this lesson helps improve more my knowledge when teaching english other fellows and co-workers.thanks a lot

Awesome, Iongin. I’m so glad this is useful to you and your English skills.

I am really glad, because I learn a lot from this lesson. and I am willing to join your class, thanks.

Hello Daji,

Wonderful! I’m very glad to know you liked it.

Good Afternoon

Thank you again your lessons really appropriate to me 🙂

best regards

Hi again, Alami,

You’re very welcome!

Good Day Dear AnneMarie as you see my greatest above , this is the way to great someone in professional life, I use the greatest when i wreat email and send them to some colleagues. apart that i used familial/slang greetting with family and friends like hi / hey or what’s up. also i want to thank you for the three familial greeting (how’s it going / how’s it going on / how’is everything) before when a heard these greeting i be confused what should do and say because i dont know what the meaning of them. now i wont …  Read more »

I’m thrilled to know this lesson helped you and you no longer feel confused by expressions such as how’s it going or how’s everything ! That’s great.

And for your emails, it looks like you have a great way to start them. Well done. Best, Annemarie

Thanking you very much

You’re very welcome, Naveen. 🙂

Thanks to my teacher, I am really love to join your bage or challenge ,because I want to learn this language fluently.

Thank you, I’m glad the lesson was useful to you.

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Formal and Informal Language

What is the difference between formal and informal language?

Formal and informal language serve different purposes in written communications depending on the reader (Audience) and reason for writing (Purpose). The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two different styles.

Formal language is less personal than informal language. It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like graduate school assignments. Formal language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or first-person pronouns such as “I” or “We.”

Informal language is more casual and spontaneous. It is used when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in conversation. It is used when writing personal emails, text messages and in some business correspondence. The tone of informal language is more personal than formal language.

Examples of formal and informal language are shown below:

Contractions

• Informal :The improvements can’t be made due to budget cuts.
• Formal : Improvements cannot be made due to budget restrictions.

Phrasal Verbs

• The balloon was blown up for the experiment.
• The balloon was inflated for the experiment

Slang/Colloquialism

• Professors still count on students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.
• Professors expect students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.

First Person Pronouns

• I considered various research methods for the study.
• Various research methods were considered for the study.
• During the interview we asked the applicants for a personal reference.
• During the interview applicants were asked to provide a personal reference.

What is Formal and Informal Communication? (Complete Guide)

By Andre Wyatt on January 27, 2023 — 13 minutes to read

• Formal & Informal Communication Importance, Purpose, Examples   Part 1
• Internal Communications State, Advantages & Disadvantages   Part 2
• Challenges of Formal and Informal Communication   Part 3
• Informal and Formal Communication Best Practices   Part 4

In this article, we will provide comprehensive information on formal and informal communication: definition, difference between formal and informal communication, examples for both types of communication, importance, advantages, disadvantages, challenges, as well as tips and best practices.

What is formal communication?

Formal communication  is communication through predefined channels set by organizations. It is backed by organizational procedure, and it is necessary to fulfill the goals of the organization. Formal communication is used in professional and academic settings to provide information and discuss topics in a structured and organized manner. It typically involves the use of more formal language than informal communication, using terms and concepts that are specific to the subject being discussed. Formal communication is often used to convey information in an efficient way. It is also used to maintain a level of professionalism among the participants.

What is informal communication?

Informal communication is more relational than formal. Informal communication is defined as the type of communication that takes place between two or more parties in a casual and unstructured manner, and it is often characterized by the use of informal language. It is not backed by any predetermined channels and can happen anywhere within the organization. Since it is not defined by any channels, messaging moves a lot faster, but it is without any paper trail or official documentation. Informal communication is often used to build relationships and facilitate conversations in social settings, and can be beneficial when developing new ideas or resolving conflicts. The primary goal of this type of communication is to preserve and establish relationships with colleagues. Grapevine communication is a common form of informal communication in a workplace.

Other types of communication in organizations include: Vertical Communication and Horizontal Communication Upward Communication and Downward Communication

Part 1 Why Are Formal and Informal Types of Communication Important?

In its purest form, formal communication is created to increase efficiency within an organization. Predetermined channels of communication are meant to provide a smooth and streamlined method of communication that travels upward and downward . It is the way to easily communicate rules, procedures, and company policy to lower level employees. A formal notification is also favorable in situations where documentation is needed to prove or disapprove a claim or complaint. If someone violated company policy or broke a rule against another coworker, it is easy for employees to point to formal communications between staff and upper management.

Informal communication, as stated above, is all about relationships; if a culture of goodwill and relationship is adequately fostered by the company, then informal discussions can create solidarity and strengthen teams . However, one of the most important reasons for why informal communication is critical to businesses is that it allows employees to give feedback to their superiors. It facilitates the action of upward interface and enables messaging to go both ways efficiently. When employees are given the opportunity to comment on their experiences in the company informally, it puts the ball back in the court of upper management to improve and meet their expectations. This action then leads to higher employee morale.

Also, informal communication can pick up where formal discussions end. A great example of this is conflict resolution. If employees or managers and employees can resolve their problems informally, then this can prevent the need for upper management to have to get involved and elongate the matter.

How does formal communication differ from informal communication?

Formal communication is the exchange of information between two or more individuals in a structured and professional manner. It is often used in the workplace or in any environment where there is a need for clear and organized communication. In contrast, informal communication is more relaxed, open, and casual. It allows for freedom of expression as it does not require the same level of structure and etiquette as formal communication. Both forms of communication are important for different scenarios, depending on the context and the message being conveyed.

When do we use formal communication?

Formal communication is typically used in business and professional settings, such as in emails, presentations, or other written documents. It is also used when communicating with people outside of one’s organization, such as clients and customers. Formal communication can help create a professional image, as well as demonstrate respect for the recipient. It is often characterized by using precise language and avoiding slang or colloquialisms. Formal communication should be written with clarity and conciseness in order to ensure an accurate understanding of the message being conveyed.

When do we use informal communication?

Informal communication is used in many different scenarios, including casual conversations between friends or colleagues. This type of communication is often more relaxed and informal than formal communication, and it does not follow the same strict guidelines that formal communication does. Informal communication gives us the freedom to express ourselves more openly and honestly, without worrying about making mistakes. It can help to build stronger relationships and foster an atmosphere of trust and understanding.

When to use formal or informal communication?

Understanding the difference between formal and informal communication is key. Formal communication should be used in professional settings, such as making a business proposal or submitting a report. In contrast, informal communication is best used in more relaxed settings with friends and colleagues.

What is the purpose of formal communication?

Formal communication is an essential part of any professional setting, as it allows for clear, concise and structured communication between individuals. It is used to convey specific information, such as instructions, policies or procedures and is generally done in a more formalized manner than informal communication. It also provides a sense of order and structure to workplace interactions and helps to maintain a professional atmosphere. Formal communication can take many forms, including written documents, emails, phone calls or face-to-face conversations. When it is used properly, formal communication can be an effective tool for conveying important information in a professional setting.

What are some examples of formal communication?

Examples of formal communication include:

• business emails,
• presentations,
• formal meetings.

What are some examples of informal communication?

Examples of informal communication include conversations between friends and colleagues:

• text messages,
• social media posts,
• phone calls,
• informal face-to-face interactions.

What are some examples of formal communication in different settings?

• In business settings, formal communication can take place in the form of emails, meetings, reports, presentations, memos and other documents.
• In educational contexts, formal communication is often used to explain concepts or provide instruction to students.
• In government settings, formal communication may be used to announce decisions or policies or to communicate between different branches or levels of government.

What is the process of formal communication?

Formal communication generally follows certain protocols in order to ensure clarity and understanding. It requires both the sender and receiver of the message to be aware of the rules, conventions, and expectations of formal communication. Formality can be communicated through the choice of words, tone, body language, and other nonverbal cues.

Properly managed formal communication can help ensure that information is accurately and quickly disseminated throughout the organization. Ineffective formal communication can lead to confusion, inefficiency, and poor decision-making.

Part 2 What Is the State of Modern Internal Communications?

Many factors are impacting the state of internal communication in today’s workplace. Technology is changing the way people want to interact with each other, and it is creating a disruption in the workplace in ways never before seen.

RingCentral, a provider of cloud-based communications and collaboration solutions for businesses, listed some of their findings from a survey about modern communication trends in the workplace.

• 97 percent of their respondents believed that communication impacted tasks on a daily basis.
• 44 percent of respondents want more widespread adoption of internal communication tools.
• When asked about how they would like these tools to evolve in 2015, 17 percent wanted better usage of these tools.

A conversation about formal and informal communication cannot happen without acknowledging the impact of technology. To see how information is funneling from management to employees and from employees to co-workers it would be helpful to gain insight on how email, text messages, and tools like ProsperForms.com have a hand in how these messages are happening. Here are a few other statistics that business leaders should be concerned about concerning formal and informal communications within the company.

• An infographic and survey compiled by ClearCompany revealed that only 14 percent of companies have employees who understand the organization’s strategies, goals, and direction.
• Another stat from that survey showed that only 5.9 percent of companies communicate the organization’s goals every day.

In today’s world, communication is as critical as it ever was. The only problem is that companies might not be utilizing all the tools and procedures at their disposal to better facilitate effective communications from upper management to lower employees, and from employees to their colleagues.

What are formal communication advantages and disadvantages?

• Advantages: formal communication allows for efficient, reliable communication in a controlled manner.
• Disadvantages: lack of flexibility and the potential for misunderstandings due to the lack of personal interaction. Excessive use of formal communication can lead to decrease in creativity as it typically follows a set structure.

What are informal communication advantages and disadvantages?

• Advantages: informal communication can help to build relationships quickly, as people can relate to each other more easily through informal communication.
• Disadvantages: informal communication can lead to misunderstandings and conflict, as the lack of structure can lead to messages being misinterpreted or taken the wrong way. Informal communication can also lead to a lack of consistency and reliability in the workplace, making it difficult for teams to coordinate their efforts effectively.

Part 3 The Challenges of Formal and Informal Communication

Formal communication challenges, acknowledging a new generation, buy-in from employees, inflexibility, contributes to a lack of understanding, slow decision making, informal communication challenges, rumors can spread rapidly, lack of control, an increase in conflict, contradict formal communications, lack of secrecy, part 4 informal and formal communication best practices.

• Foster a Culture of Effective Communications Employees respond well if they feel they can trust that upper management has their best interest at heart. Formal communication does not start when the messages are sent; it begins the second an employee begins their first day. Upper management should reach out to employees in ways that do not always feel rigid and formal to increase their trust and buy-in. This will make it easier for them to accept more essential messages and stay away from potential rumors.
• Streamlined Decision Making Employees can become agitated if a work task depends on formal communication channels of upper management. Leaders can decrease this frustration by better assessing who needs to be involved in the decision-making process and utilizing an approach to get decisions to employees faster.
• Talk About the “Why” Behind the Rules To ensure a safe environment for everyone, there should be established policies for formal and informal communications. However, business leaders should explain why these rules exist and why breaking them can impact the work environment of those around them. The conversation should center on behaviors and how they should align with the mission and vision of the company.

What must be avoided in formal communication situations?

• Poor grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be avoided.
• When engaging in formal communication, it is important to be mindful of the language and tone used.
• Unprofessional language (slang and jargon) should all be avoided as they can create an impression of a lack of professionalism or can result in misunderstandings or awkwardness.
• Unprofessional topics, such as politics or religion are considered inappropriate in formal settings.
• Excessive use of exclamation points or emojis.
• Sarcasm should be avoided in order to prevent any misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the message being communicated.
• It is important to ensure that the language used is respectful and appropriate for the situation.

How to improve written formal communication?

• Take your time to carefully craft the message.
• Make sure that all relevant information is included, and that you are using language that is appropriate for the situation.
• Make sure your message is clear and concise.
• Ask questions to confirm understanding.
• If applicable, consider including examples, diagrams, or charts to help illustrate your point in order to make it easier for your audience to understand.

How to improve formal communications skills?

To improve your ability to communicate formally, practice active listening, use appropriate language, and demonstrate respect for others. Active listening involves paying attention and responding to the speaker’s words with appropriate eye contact, body language, and questions. It is also important to use professional language and avoid slang, as well as being aware of cultural differences and avoiding bias .

• Upward Communication & Downward Communication (Full Guide)
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Formal and informal language

Learn the difference between formal and informal language and when to use them.

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What is the difference between formal and informal language?

Formal and informal language serve different purposes. The tone, the choice of words and the way the words are put together vary between the two styles. Formal language is less personal than informal language. It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments. Formal language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or first person pronouns such as ‘I’ or ‘We’.

Informal language is more casual and spontaneous. It is used when communicating with friends or family either in writing or in conversation. It is used when writing personal emails, text messages and in some business correspondence. The tone of informal language is more personal than formal language.

Examples of formal and informal language are shown below:

Contractions

Informal:    The improvements canʼt be introduced due to funding restrictions.

Formal:      Improvements cannot be introduced due to funding restrictions.

Informal:    I donʼt believe that the results are accurate.

Formal:       The results are not believed to be accurate.

Informal:    The research project wonʼt continue next year.

Formal:       The research project will not continue next year.

Phrasal verbs

Informal:    The balloon was blown up for the experiment.

Formal:       The balloon was inflated for the experiment.

Informal:    The patient got over his illness.

Formal:      The patient recovered from his illness.

Informal:    The results of the study were mixed up.

Formal:      The results of the study were confused.

Slang/Colloquialisms

Informal:    The mob was very rowdy during the protest against cuts to university funding.

Formal:       The crowd was very rowdy during the protest against the cuts to university funding.

Informal:    Lecturers still count on students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.

Formal:      Lecturers expect students to use correct grammar and punctuation in essays.

Informal:    It was raining cats and dogs.

Formal:       It was raining very heavily.

First person pronouns

Informal:    I considered various research methods for the study.

Formal:       Various research methods were considered for the study.

Informal:    We believe the practice is unsustainable.

Formal:       It is believed the practice is unsustainable.

Informal:    During the interview, I asked students about their experiences.

Formal:       During the interview, students were asked about their experiences.

TAFE           Technical and Further Education

ANZAC        Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

QANTAS      Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services

Initialisms

UTS             University of Technology Sydney

ISO              International Standards Organisation

OECD          Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

The first time an acronym or initialism is used in an essay, it is acceptable to write the name in full with the acronym or initialism in brackets after it. Every subsequent time it is used the acronym or initialism can be used on its own. Commonly known acronyms such as ANZAC and QANTAS do not need to be written in full. If an acronym or initialism needs to be made into a plural, add a small ‘s’ to it without an apostrophe.

Do not use the acronyms 'ATSI' or 'TSI' to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This must be written in full. Always capitalise the word 'Indigenous' when referring to Australia's Indigenous peoples.

Other academic style resouces

• UTS Publications Style Guide   is available on Staff Connect (requires UTS staff login).
• RMIT's Academic style

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

• Public Speaking VS Conversations →

Understanding the Differences in Formality Between Public Speaking and Conversation

Communication is an art, and knowing when to adapt our language and tone can be the key to mastering it. In many situations, we find ourselves debating whether to adopt a formal approach or keep things casual – particularly when comparing public speaking with everyday conversations.

But what are the differences between these two modes of communication, and how can understanding them help us become more effective communicators? In this blog post, we’ll explore the nuances of formality in both public speaking and conversation, giving you valuable insights on when to strike the perfect balance.

Key Takeaways

• Public speaking requires a more formal approach, while conversation is informal and spontaneous. Understanding the nuances of formality in both modes of communication enables speakers to tailor their language skills accordingly.
• Formality in public speaking establishes professionalism and credibility with the audience, using appropriate dress code and language choice being crucial. Structured delivery including visual aids makes speeches clear and concise. Practice over time improves confidence when delivering speeches.
• Informality is an essential element of casual conversation, creating a relaxed atmosphere that encourages open communication between people. Casual language, shorter words compared to formal language highly preferred in conversations means clearer expression avoiding confusion. Creating space where participants feel free can foster better relationships among people leading to better network building opportunities in the long run.

Understanding Public Speaking And Conversation

Public speaking requires a more structured and formal approach, while conversation is an informal and spontaneous exchange of information between two or more people.

Definition And Differences

Understanding the distinctions between public speaking and conversation is crucial to effectively communicate your message, regardless of the setting. In essence, public speaking is a performance in which an individual addresses a live audience with intention and structure, often for influential or informative purposes.

In contrast, conversation involves informal communication through casual dialogue among two or more individuals. It typically occurs spontaneously and without meticulous planning as a means to exchange ideas, news, emotions, and other aspects of daily life.

For example: sharing family stories over dinner with friends or discussing weekend plans during an office break.

Language And Tone

Effective communication involves not only what you say but how you say it. In public speaking, it’s crucial to use formal and appropriate language that conveys a professional tone.

This means using correct grammar, avoiding slang or vulgar language, and being mindful of the audience’s expectations.

In contrast, in casual conversations with friends or family members, speakers can use more relaxed and colloquial language without worrying about breaking social norms or etiquette.

Purpose And Context

Understanding the purpose and context of communication is essential for public speakers. Whether delivering a speech or engaging in casual conversation, understanding the intended outcome of your message is crucial.

Public speaking typically has a clear purpose, such as persuading an audience to take action or informing them about a specific topic.

Context is also vital when communicating with others. The setting and audience can influence how you deliver your message and the language you use. For example, if giving a formal speech at a business conference, it would be appropriate to use more formal language and adhere to professional dress codes.

As public speakers navigate different communication settings, adapting their language style appropriately helps build credibility with their audience while remaining effective communicators across various contexts.

Formality In Public Speaking

Formality in public speaking is important because it establishes a sense of professionalism and credibility with the audience.

Importance Of Formality

Formality is crucial in public speaking as it sets the tone for your message and helps create a professional image. Using formal language and maintaining a structured approach will show that you take your topic seriously, and as a speaker, you respect your audience’s time.

For instance, imagine attending a business pitch where the presenter arrives wearing informal clothing and uses slang words during their presentation. It shows a lack of respect for their audience’s time and professionalism.

In summary, emphasizing formality while speaking publicly enhances your communication skills while showcasing professionalism to increase engagement levels with audiences effectively.

Use Of Formal Language And Professional Dress

Formality is crucial in public speaking as it sets the tone and shows your audience that you are professional. Using formal language with complex vocabulary can help reinforce your credibility and expertise in a field.

Dressing professionally is equally important. As a public speaker, dressing appropriately for the occasion helps create an aura of professionalism, respectability, and competence.

Wearing appropriate attire reinforces confidence to deliver speeches without undermining their message by looking underprepared.

In conclusion, being mindful of both your dress code and language choice while presenting plays an essential role in building trust with your audience by showcasing yourself as competent and professional.

Structured Delivery And Presentation

To ensure a successful public speaking engagement, it is important to have a structured delivery and presentation. This includes having an organized outline of your speech , using clear and concise language, and incorporating effective visual aids such as slides or videos.

One way to structure a speech is through the use of introduction, body, and conclusion sections. During the introduction, grab your audience’s attention with an interesting fact or anecdote related to your topic.

In the body section, break down your main points into easily digestible segments with supporting evidence where necessary.

Remember that practice makes perfect when it comes to delivery style. Try rehearsing in front of friends or family members beforehand to receive feedback on pacing and tone.

Informality In Conversation

In casual conversation, informality is essential to create a relaxed and carefree atmosphere that encourages spontaneous exchange of information.

Importance Of Informality

Informality is an essential element of conversation that creates a relaxed atmosphere and encourages open communication. In contrast to formal public speaking, where the audience expects a structured delivery and polished language, informal communication allows for more natural, spontaneous interactions between people.

When people engage in casual conversations, they tend to use less formal language than when addressing an audience in public speaking. Conversations often involve everyday topics such as daily activities or shared interests which are not necessarily related to work.

The use of informal language, tone, and nonverbal cues can make the conversation more engaging and less intimidating than public speaking.

For instance, using terminology commonly associated with one’s industry may not be suitable or effective in communicating with non-experts outside it.

In summary then Informal communication should be seen as a valuable tool that complements the formal style required for certain contexts like business meetings rather than something to avoid altogether; it helps individuals connect meaningfully while still delivering important messages efficiently regardless of how fancy one’s words might sound

Use Of Casual Language And Relaxed Atmosphere

In informal conversations, it is essential to use a casual language and create a relaxed atmosphere for the participants. Casual language tends to be more personal, using shorter words than formal language.

When you have casual conversations with your friends or family members, you tend to use simpler language compared to when you’re giving a public speech.

Creating an engaging yet relaxed atmosphere in conversation can also foster better relationships between people. It creates space where people feel free to express themselves without fear of being judged or ridiculed.

Natural Delivery And Conversation Style

Effective communication relies on a natural delivery style and a conversational tone. In casual conversations, speakers tend to use natural language patterns and their own unique conversational style.

This is in contrast to formal speeches where there are more requirements for structured delivery, pacing, and enunciation.

For instance, one of the most effective ways of creating this rapport with the audience is by using stories or anecdotes that resonate with them personally. Such personal touches make it easier for speakers to connect with the audience without feeling like they are speaking “at” them rather than “to” them.

The success of any public speaker depends largely on developing authentic methods of conveying information in ways that both inspire and interest audiences. Public speaking takes some effort to perfect as no one-size-fits-all approach exists; however, with practice comes mastery over these vital communication skills.

Finding The Right Balance

Adapting to the audience and context.

As a public speaker, it is crucial to adapt your language and tone to the specific audience and context you will be presenting to. Whether you are addressing corporate executives or high school students, every group has its own  social norms and cues  that should guide your delivery style.

Additionally, understanding the cultural backgrounds of your audience can help you build rapport and establish credibility. By taking into consideration factors such as age range, gender distribution, and even dress codes at events, public speakers can effectively tailor their presentations to create a more engaging experience for attendees.

Balancing Formal And Casual Language

When communicating, it’s essential to balance  formal and casual language  appropriately. This is particularly important for public speakers who need to engage with their audience while still maintaining a level of professionalism and respect.

For example, if you’re giving a presentation to college students about campus safety, using overly formal language might not resonate with your audience. Instead, incorporating colloquial expressions or humorous anecdotes could help you connect with them better.

It’s also essential to pay attention to nonverbal communication when balancing formality levels during public speaking engagements. Your tone of voice and body posture can convey different messages than just your words alone.

Importance Of Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication plays a crucial role in public speaking and can often convey more information than words themselves. Our body language, tone of voice, facial expressions , and gestures all communicate messages to our audience.

For example, maintaining eye contact with your listeners helps establish trust and engagement. Leaning forward slightly can indicate enthusiasm and interest in the conversation.

Being aware of your nonverbal cues is essential to being an effective communicator. It’s important to practice good body language habits while delivering speeches or presentations as it conveys professionalism and confidence.

Moreover, understanding nonverbal cues from your audience also helps you adjust your delivery style accordingly for maximum impact.

Benefits Of Understanding Formality In Communication

Improved communication skills.

Understanding the differences in formality between public speaking and conversation can greatly enhance your communication skills . By adapting to the audience and context, you can strike a balance between formal and casual language to effectively convey your message.

In addition to refining your language skills, understanding formality in communication improves relationships and networking opportunities . Knowing how to navigate social norms and cues allows you to build rapport with people from different backgrounds.

Overall, improving communication skills through an understanding of formality in public speaking and conversation not only makes us more effective communicators but also strengthens our  personal connections with others .

Better Relationships And Networking

Understanding the differences between formal and casual communication can have a significant impact on building better relationships and networking effectively as a public speaker.

While it’s essential to maintain a professional demeanor during formal events, being too stiff or formal can come across as unapproachable. On the other hand, informal conversation allows for personal connections and can help build rapport with people in more relaxed settings.

Additionally, understanding social norms and cues within different communication contexts is crucial for effective networking. By knowing when to use formal language or casual conversation, you show that you are adaptable to different situations and able to connect with others authentically.

This flexibility enables you to approach new contacts confidently, making an impression that lasts beyond the initial contact.

Understanding Social Norms And Cues

Understanding social norms and cues is crucial for public speakers, as it enables them to communicate appropriately with their audience. Social norms refer to the unwritten rules that dictate how people should behave in different situations, while cues are nonverbal signals that convey meaning.

Public speakers need to understand their audience’s norms and adapt accordingly when delivering their message. This includes choosing language appropriate for the given context and avoiding any offensive remarks or behavior.

Furthermore, paying attention to nonverbal cues such as body language can help a speaker gauge how well they are communicating with their audience.

In conclusion, understanding social norms and cues is critical for effective communication between public speakers and audiences.

Conclusion: Formality in Public Speaking vs Conversations

In conclusion, understanding the differences between formal and casual language in public speaking and conversation is important for effective communication. While formal language is appropriate for professional settings like presentations and official documents, casual language is more suited to relaxed conversations among friends or acquaintances.

By adapting our tone, delivery style, and use of nonverbal cues to match the audience and context, we can strike the right balance between formality and informality. This not only improves our communication skills but also helps us build better relationships with others by following social norms and etiquette.

1. What are the key differences between formal and casual communication?

Formal communication is typically associated with professional settings, such as public speaking or business meetings, where a speaker follows a specific structure and uses standardized language to address an audience. Casual communication, on the other hand, is more relaxed and informal in nature, often used in personal conversations or social media posts.

2. How can I adjust my language for different situations?

The best way to adjust your language for different situations is to consider the context of your audience: who they are, what their expectations may be and what level of formality they prefer. In formal settings, it’s important to use proper grammar and avoid slang while in casual settings it may be acceptable to incorporate humor or more colloquial expressions.

3. What should I wear for a formal speaking engagement?

Dressing appropriately for a formal speaking engagement will depend on the type of event being held and its dress code requirements. As a general guideline however – men should consider wearing suits with ties while women may opt for dresses & blazers.

4. How important is eye contact during public speaking?

Eye contact plays a crucial role in effective public speaking as it establishes trust between the speaker & audience by conveying authenticity & confidence levels.. Through maintaining healthy eye contact throughout speeches/presentations related anxiety/tasks listeners likely feel comfortable engaging further than if presented from those who appear unconfident/disengaged.

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6 Typical Conversations Between Two Friends in English

What does a typical conversation between two friends sound like in English?

This may not be something you’ve covered in your English textbook or classes , but after all, it’s what every English learner aims to do: Have a casual conversation in English!

In this post, you’ll see (and hear!) six examples of a typical conversation between friends.

By exposing yourself to these examples, you’ll feel more confident in your ability to engage in small talk , make plans and have personal conversations. 

Greetings and Small Talk

• Conversation #1: Conversations Between Friends

Conversation #2: Meeting Up with a Friend at a Restaurant

Making plans with friends.

• Conversation #1: Inviting a Friend for a Movie

Conversation #2: Making Plans for a Get-together

Having personal conversations with friends.

• Conversation #1: A Friend’s Advice

Conversation #2: Talking About Opinions on a Book

And one more thing....

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Some people think of small talk (unimportant, expected conversation) as being shallow (not honest or “real”). But it’s something that we do to make each other comfortable. For example, asking about someone’s job or how they’re doing is a way of showing that you care, and these questions can lead to more personal and interesting conversation.

It’s true that close friends may not use small talk as much as people who don’t know each other well. But there are still times when using small talk with friends makes sense. For example, if you meet an old friend who you haven’t seen in a long time, or if you’re meeting with a friend who you just don’t see every day.

Let’s look at a couple of conversations below to see what those situations might sound like.

Conversation #1:  Conversations Between Friends

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You’ll find plenty of casual conversations to add to these six examples and get more familiar with what they sound like. 

Let’s read along to the conversations in the above video:

Sam: Oh? Bob!

Bob: Hey Sam! Good to see you!

Sam: How’s it going?

Bob: Yeah, good. Working a lot. And you?

Sam: I went back to school.

Bob: Good for you!

Mike and Jim

Jim: What have you been up to?

Mike: Working a lot.

Jim: That sounds hard.

Mike: How’s the family?

Jim: Everyone is good. Thanks!

Now, let’s look at some useful phrases from the dialogues above.

Useful Phrases

“Good to see you!”

This is a nice way to greet someone when you haven’t seen them in a while.

“How’s it going?”

This is a common greeting in English, like “How are you?” Don’t be surprised if you say this to someone and they don’t respond, or say “Yeah, how’s it going?” back.

Bob replies to this question with “Yeah, good.” This might seem a little weird because Sam didn’t ask a yes or no question. But in this case, “yeah” doesn’t have any special meaning. It’s just a way to acknowledge Sam’s question and move on.

“Good for you!”

This is a positive phrase in English to congratulate a friend on their successes or accomplishments.

Small talk can happen with close friends who you see regularly and with friends you don’t see as often. Here’s an example of a conversation that could happen between two friends who know each other pretty well.

Nathan: Hey, Alicia?

Alicia: Oh hey, I didn’t see you there. Did you already get a table?

Nathan: Yeah, right over here.

Alicia: I’m glad we had time to meet up.

Nathan: Me too. So, what’s going on?

Alicia: Oh, not much. You?

Nathan: Not much. Hey, how did your interview go? Wasn’t that today?

Alicia: Oh, yeah. I think it went well. I don’t know if I got the job yet, but they said they would call in a few days.

Nathan: Well, I’m sure you did great. Good luck.

Alicia: Thanks. I’m just happy that it’s over. I was really nervous about it.

Nathan: I can understand that. I get nervous before interviews, too.

Alicia: Well, thanks for being supportive. I appreciate it.

Nathan: Sure, no problem.

“I’m glad we had time to meet up.”

If you’re meeting a friend you don’t see every day, this is a nice way of saying that you appreciate them making an effort to see you. Other ways of saying this could be, “Thanks for making time to see me” or “We should do this more often.”

“What’s going on?”

Like with “How’s it going?” the other person might not always reply to this question. If they do, they’ll probably either actually tell you what’s going on, or just say, “Not much.”

In the conversation above, Nathan and Alicia both say “not much” is going on with them, but then they end up talking about Alicia’s interview. This is pretty common. A person might sometimes even reply “not much,” and then immediately start talking about all the things that actually are going on.

“I can understand that.”

This is a good phrase to acknowledge a friend’s feelings or opinions.

“Sure, no problem.”

This is a casual way of saying “You’re welcome” when someone thanks you.

To see your friends in the first place, you have to make plans with them. Here are a couple of conversations that show how that could go.

Conversation #1:  Inviting a Friend for a Movie

John: Hello, Bob!

Bob: Hi, John!

John: Are you free this weekend?

Bob: I think so, why?

John: Want to see a movie?

John: Great!

“Are you free this weekend?”

This is a friendly, common way to open a conversation when you’re going to ask someone to do something with you.

In the conversation above, Bob and John decide to see a movie together. But they don’t decide on what to see, or an exact time. Hopefully, they’ll talk about this later—otherwise, they won’t know what they’re doing!

Below, we’ll look at a more detailed conversation about making plans.

Trudy: Hey, so I’m having a party at my place next weekend. Do you want to come?

Ruth: Sure! That sounds like fun. Who else is coming?

Trudy: Let’s see. I think it’s going to be Jerome, Talia, Anna, Juan, Celeste, Michelle and possibly Jamie. It’s not really going to be a party, more like a small get-together. I’m cooking dinner, and we can just hang out.

Ruth: What time should I be there?

Trudy: Oh, anytime between 6 and 7 would be fine.

Ruth: Can I bring anything?

Trudy: Oh, don’t worry about it. I have everything covered.

Ruth: Can I at least bring a bottle of wine?

Trudy: Well, I’m not going to say no to wine. I’m sure that would be appreciated.

Ruth: I’ll do that, then. Thanks for inviting me.

“That sounds like fun.”

If someone invites you to an event, or just invites you to do something with them, this is a nice way to say “yes.”

“Can I bring anything?”

In the U.S. and some other English-speaking areas, this is a polite question to ask if someone invites you to a dinner, party or holiday event where there’s going to be food. It’s usually appropriate (and sometimes even expected!) to ask this question even if the person who invited you is a close friend or family member.

Once you’ve made plans and greeted your friends, all that’s left to do is just… well, be a friend. Friends go to each other for help, for advice and when they want to share their opinions and experiences.

Conversations that are more personal are usually less structured and follow fewer rules. But there are still phrases that English speakers tend to use a lot in personal conversations, and there are still certain speech patterns we follow to show support for our friends. Let’s look at some examples.

Conversation #1:  A Friend’s Advice

Makayla: Hi, Gemma. You look terrible!

Gemma: Hey, Makayla. Mmm, I haven’t slept.

Makayla: Are you OK? What’s the matter?

Gemma: Well, you know that photo I sent to Clare on Friday night?

Makayla: Yeah?

Gemma: Well, she sent it to Justin.

Makayla: Oh no! How could she do that? It obviously was only for her.

Gemma: I know! I thought she’d find it funny.

Makayla: Well, it was quite funny. But you didn’t expect her to send it to anyone.

Gemma: No, of course not! Especially not Justin! Oh, it’s so embarrassing!

Makayla: Ah well, don’t worry. I know how you feel, though.

Gemma: And what if he puts it on Facebook or something? What if my mum sees it?

Makayla: No no, don’t worry. He won’t. It’s not that interesting for him or anyone else, to be honest.

Gemma: But what if he does?

Makayla: He won’t. But maybe ask Clare to speak to Justin… Get him to delete the photo?

Gemma: Yeah, maybe. But that might just make him even more interested.

Makayla: Yeah, true.

Gemma: What do you think I should do?

Makayla: Mmm… I’d just try to forget about it if I were you.

Gemma: But I’m so annoyed with Clare!

Makayla: Maybe speak to Clare, tell her how you feel. She shouldn’t be sharing people’s private photos.

Gemma: Okay, yeah. Thanks for the advice, Makayla. I’ll talk to her.

Makayla: Good idea. And don’t worry. Just be careful and don’t send any more embarrassing photos!

Gemma: Yeah, I know, I know. I won’t.

Note: The dialogue above is in British English. The only difference in how this conversation might go in American English is that Gemma would probably say “mom” instead of “mum.” Also, Americans tend to use “quite” less than British people.

“Are you okay?” / “What’s the matter?”

The above two phrases are good for checking on your friends if it seems like something might be wrong.

“What do you think I should do?”

It isn’t always obvious when you’re looking for advice, in any language. If you want to know what a friend thinks you should do in a situation, just ask like this!

“I know how you feel.”

This is a good general phrase for showing sympathy, and it might not always be used literally . For example, we have no idea if Makayla really does know how Gemma feels. But what Makayla seems to be saying is that Gemma’s feelings still matter, even if the situation itself isn’t that bad.

However, you may want to be careful of using this phrase if someone is telling you about a situation that you obviously can’t understand personally. In a case like that, it could seem rude and self-centered. Instead, you can say, “That sounds terrible.”

Friends can help you when you’re having problems. They’re also there to listen when you just want to talk about your feelings and opinions.

Nina: So I don’t know what you thought about the book, but I had a lot of mixed feelings about it.

Sean: Oh, really? Like what?

Nina: Well, I thought the main character’s situation was interesting, but his attitude toward women bothered me.

Sean: I can see that. It definitely seemed like he had some problems with women.

Nina: I would have liked to understand how that started. I mean, the book didn’t go into too much detail about why he felt that way.

Sean: I agree with that. I think the author could have handled that part better. I did enjoy the descriptions, though.

Nina: Oh yes, the writing was beautiful! That just made me more disappointed in the character.

Sean: Well, this is just my opinion, but maybe the character would have been easier to understand if the writing had been simpler. It seemed like the author spent a lot of time on the descriptions when he could have spent more time on the character’s thoughts.

Nina: I’m not sure if I agree with that. I just think that the writing could have been more thoughtful while still being beautiful, if that makes sense.

Sean: That does make sense. I think maybe the problem for me is just that not much actually happened.

Nina: You’re right about that. There wasn’t much of a story.

Sean: I still enjoyed parts of the book, though.

Nina: Oh, I did, too. And I appreciate hearing your point of view.

“I don’t know what you thought about…”

This is a nice way to let someone know that you would be open to hearing their thoughts.

“I can see that.”

This is a good way to acknowledge someone’s thoughts, whether or not you agree with them.

“I agree with that.” / “I’m not sure if I agree with that.”

“I’m not sure if I agree with that” is nicer than “I don’t agree with you.”

“…if that makes sense.”

This is a common way that people end sentences when giving their opinions or explaining something. Often, this has the meaning of “Does that make sense?” or “Do you understand what I mean?”

Good friendships are rewarding and worthwhile, no matter what language you speak.

Hopefully, the above conversations between two friends have given you a better idea of how to communicate and connect with your English-speaking friends.

If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials , as you can see here:

If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.

The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.

FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.

For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:

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The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.

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10 Examples of Formal and Informal Dialogue

• February 20, 2023

When starting a speech, the participants consider various factors such as the context, the subject matter, and the identities of the interlocutors, among others. Based on these considerations, the speaker adapts their speech, tone, body language, and language choices to ensure effective communication.

Based on the relationship between the speakers, there are two types of discourse:

• Formal dialogue:  It happens when there is a conversation between two individuals who are strangers or have no existing friendship or familial bond. In situations that require a higher level of formality, more structured patterns of behavior are typically observed, and the speakers follow an implicit protocol that governs the sequence and flow of the conversation. For instance, in a job interview scenario.
• Informal dialogue: It takes place between individuals who have a friendly or intimate relationship and is usually informal and relaxed. For instance, a chat between friends.

Characteristics of the formal dialogue

Table of Contents

• Sometimes the topic to be discussed is known in advance.
• The exchange follows a patterned order.
• There is greater precision in the choice of words.
• Complimentary formulas are included.
• Vulgar or overly colloquial terms are avoided.
• The statements are more elaborate.
• It can include technical language from a specific area known to the speakers holding the conversation.
• Gestures are avoided and posture is taken care of.
• There may be hierarchical differences between the speakers, of the boss-employee or teacher-student type.
• It can also be used to express respect. For example, with an older adult.

Characteristics of informal dialogue

• It is spontaneous, free and friendly.
• The pronoun you is used to express friendship and closeness.
• The topics are developed naturally, without previous protocols.
• The conversation can be fragmented, interrupted, end abruptly.
• Exclamations are allowed.
• Expressions that directly appeal to the interlocutor’s attention can be used.
• Colloquial vocabulary and terminology related to specific sociolects or dialects are included.
• There is little care in the formulation of sentences that, moreover, can be interrupted.
• Gestures and intonation variations are used to accentuate the message being emitted.
• There is no hierarchical differentiation between the speakers.

Examples of Formal Dialogue

1. dialogue between a teacher and students.

TEACHER: Good morning, students. I am Professor Gomez and I will be teaching history classes. STUDENTS: Good morning, Professor. TEACHER: Today we will start with the first topic of the syllabus: ancient civilizations. Please open your textbook to page fifty-four and begin reading. STUDENT: Excuse me, Professor. My name is Marcos Dominguez. Could you please repeat the page number? PROFESSOR: Sure, Dominguez. The page number is fifty-four. STUDENT: Thank you so much

2. Dialogue between two strangers

A. Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for Mirasoles Street. Do you know where it is? B. Sorry, I’m not from around here. But I can tell you where the police station is so you can ask for directions. I just passed it a moment ago. A. Could you please give me that information? It would be greatly appreciated. B. Of course. Just walk about 100 meters in that direction and turn left. You’ll find the police station at the entrance of the building. A. Thank you so much. B. No problem. Bye.

3. Dialogue from a job interview

A. Good afternoon, are you Rafael Sanchez? B. Yes, that’s me. Nice to meet you. A. Please, have a seat. Let me introduce myself. I am Andrew Bernard and I am the HR manager of the company. To start, I would like to ask you some personal questions. Are you employed at the moment? B. Yes, I have been working as an administrative employee at South Company for five years. A. Very good. And what tasks do you perform in your current position? B. Well, I perform a variety of tasks, all related to the financial organization of the company and the payment of employees. A. I see. What are the reasons you are interested in changing jobs? B. Essentially, I would like to gain new work experiences, change my environment, and take on new challenges. A. Then, I’m sure you’ll love the proposal I’m going to make.

4. Dialogue between a customer and an employee

Customer: Excuse me, Miss. I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a question. Employee: Good afternoon, it’s not a problem. How can I help you today? Customer: I need to return this item I bought yesterday. There’s a hole in it. Employee: Let me take a look. Ah, I see, it’s a manufacturing defect. Would you like to exchange it for a different item? Customer: Actually, I was hoping to choose a different color. Employee: Of course. These are the options we have available right now. Customer: Great, I’ll take this one. Employee: I’ll wrap it up for you right away. Customer: Thank you very much.

5. Dialogue between a man and a restaurant receptionist

Guest: Good morning. I am calling to request a reservation for tonight. Receptionist: Good morning. I’ll need to ask you a few questions first. Guest: Go ahead. Receptionist: What time would you like the reservation for? Guest: If possible, at nine o’clock in the evening. Receptionist: I’m sorry, all the tables are already reserved for that time. Would eight o’clock work for you instead? Guest: That’s a bit earlier than I’d like, but it will have to do. Receptionist: Great. How many people will be dining with you tonight? Guest: Five people. Receptionist: And what name should the reservation be under? Guest: Oscar Johnson, please. Receptionist: Very well, we’ll be expecting you, Mr. Johnson. Guest: Thank you, see you later.

Examples of informal dialogue

1. dialogue between neighbors.

D: Hello, Richard how are you? A: Hello, Daniel, how are you? D: I haven’t seen you in a long time… A: It’s been a while. I just got back from a trip yesterday. It was amazing. D: That’s great to hear! Give my regards to your mother. A: Will do. Bye!

2. dialogue between friends

I: Hey Francisca, have you heard? F: Hey Isabel, what’s up? I: I went to dinner at the trendy bar last night and guess who I saw? F: Who? I: Ricky Martin! F: No way! I: Yes, it’s true! I asked him for an autograph. F: And you didn’t take a picture? I: Unfortunately, my cell phone was out of battery.

3. Dialogue between coworkers

CHARLES: Good morning. SABRINA: Hello, Charles, what’s wrong? Something happened to you? CHARLES: Last night I was working on the balance sheet and it took late and I couldn’t sleep. I think I need a vacation. SABRINA: Yeah, but with the new boss, I wouldn’t dare ask for one. Did you see that he always looks so stern? He never says “please” or “thank you”. CHARLES: It’s true, but you know what? Although he appears very strict, when you get to know him better, he’s actually kind and understanding. Today, I’m going to request my vacation.

4. Dialogue between husband and wife

ROBERT: Hello my love, it’s good that you arrived because dinner is almost ready. INES: What a joy, darling. Today I had a crazy day, I want to take a bath and relax. ROBERT: I also had a difficult day, the system crashed and I was bombarded with customer complaints, all very angry and demanding the impossible, that it be restored immediately. INES: Well, tomorrow will be another day. Can you pass me the salt, please? What are you watching? ROBERT: Here. It’s a new TV show, I think you’ll enjoy it.

5. Dialogue between a father and a daughter

FATHER: Hey, Marcia, what’s going on? DAUGHTER: Not much. FATHER: What’s wrong, honey? DAUGHTER: I got a C on the biology test. I studied so hard for it! FATHER: I’m sorry to hear that, Marcia. I know how hard you worked. I’m sure you’ll do better on the next one. DAUGHTER: I don’t know about that… FATHER: Of course you will. Come here and give me a hug. Everything will be okay. DAUGHTER: Thanks, Dad!

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Conversation Starters: 5 Easy Ways to Get People Talking

 5 min read

Conversation is an exchange of ideas, usually informal, through spoken language between two or more people. It’s often social, frequently includes humor, and rarely stays on the same topic for very long. Turns overlap, the focus shifts among the participants, and everyone shares and listens to varying degrees.

In a positive conversational interaction, we make eye contact with our partners, but we don’t stare obsessively. We nod along, giving verbal indications that we understand (“Mm-hmm,” “Oh, yeah?” “Oh, no!” “Wow!”). Our body language conveys our interest. We don’t interrupt too often—we await our turn to contribute a reaction, anecdote, or opinion, to keep the conversation moving forward. We use language appropriate to the individuals and the setting, refraining from swearing with certain audiences while letting loose with others.

Sometimes these skills, called  social skills  or  pragmatics , are lost, such as after a brain injury. Sometimes they’re never fully acquired—often the case in autism. When this happens, conversational skills must be taught.

Aside from social skills, a conversation requires that participants articulate words intelligibly, speak as fluently as possible, use clear, audible voices, and put the right words together into clear ideas. Many people, such as those living with  aphasia ,  dysarthria , stuttering, or  apraxia , have difficulty in one or more of these areas.

Speech-language therapy can help with these deficits. The goal is to improve the problem or to provide strategies to work around it.

Sometimes just starting a conversation can be one of the most challenging parts of therapy. Aside from the five easy conversation starters listed below, we also created an app that can help. Try the no-risk free version for yourself.

Conversation Therapy

Engage in real-life discussions with pictures & questions that get people talking to practice communication strategies.

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Here are 5 conversation starters:

Ask about the other person.

We all like to talk about ourselves.

Why not start the conversation by asking your conversational partners about themselves? What do they enjoy? Where have they lived or travelled? What are their families like? People are experts in themselves, and often enjoy showing off that expertise.

Conversation Therapy  provides more than 275 ‘ Remember’  questions to prompt people to talk about their experiences and memories.

Ask for More Information

Once you find a topic someone is excited about, keep going. Ask to hear more about the subject.

Ask probing questions such as “How did you get into [career]?” or “What’s the best part of [interest]?” The more interest you show, the more they’ll keep talking.

Conversation Therapy  gets the conversation started. But a conversation isn’t a series of questions and answers, so let the conversation go where it wants to, coming back to the app only when you need more inspiration.

Ask for Help or Advice

Most people like to help others, especially when it makes them feel knowledgeable.

Ask your conversational partner what you should do about a social situation or a home repair problem. Ask for a good recipe. What you ask, of course, will depend on who you’re talking with.

Conversation Therapy  offers many topics related to everyday life, including more than 50 pertaining to safety and problem solving. These questions provide great opportunities to share strategies, experiences, and expertise.

Ask for an Opinion

Everyone has an opinion. So ask for it!

What does your partner think of sushi? What’s their take on the latest blockbuster? Do they prefer cats or dogs?

Discussing favorite and least-favorite things can help you find shared interests you can explore further.

Conversation Therapy  provides more than 300 Decide questions. You can prompt people to share their preferences with questions like “Would you rather . . . ?” and “What’s your favorite . . . ?”

Comment on Current Events

After the obligatory comments about the weather, it’s time to try something a bit more interesting and every bit as topical.

Not everyone follows the latest political affairs, but local news, Hollywood gossip, or sporting events may be an area ripe for conversation. Many speech-language pathologists have had to scan the sports sections of newspapers and websites to prepare for sessions with football-, hockey-, or baseball-obsessed clients.

Conversation Therapy  includes hot topics related to social issues and problems, as well as current topics such as the environment, the economy, and health care.

General Tips for Conversation Starters

Be sure your questions are open-ended. You don’t want to be shut down with a simple “yes” or “no.” Your questions should start with a wh- type word (who, what, where, why, when, how) rather than with a do/did/are/have/were-type word.

Once you get your partner or client talking, you can make observations, suggest strategies, shape better habits, and work on sounds, words, and syntactic structures.

Be sure to take your own brief turns in the conversation, sharing your experiences and thoughts while modeling the behaviors you’re looking to improve in your partner. Just be careful you don’t dominate the conversation!

If you tend to get lost in the content of conversation, set up a data-tracking method ahead of the session, to keep yourself focused on the goal. Subtly make tick marks or use an app to tally a predetermined behavior or linguistic target. You’ll end up with an enjoyable session, as well as outcome data to document your partner’s progress.

Conversation Therapy  has built-in scoring to track data during a conversation. Turn off the sound for the scoring buttons, to avoid disrupting the conversational flow.

Giving feedback during a conversation can be tricky, since the client may feel you’re commenting on the quality of their ideas rather than their speech or skills. Be sure to establish the goals of the conversation before starting, and positively acknowledge the content before drawing attention to the manner in which it was said.

If you follow these simple tips, you’ll have a new problem to worry about – how to get your clients to  stop  talking!

If you liked this article, Share It !

Megan S. Sutton , MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and co-founder of Tactus Therapy. She is an international speaker, writer, and educator on the use of technology in adult medical speech therapy. Megan believes that technology plays a critical role in improving aphasia outcomes and humanizing clinical services.

How to Run a Formal Conversation in English (With Example Phrases)

Enhance your professional image with our guide to formal conversation basics. Ensure your communication skills reflect your professionalism!

Intermediate

Formal Greetings

Conversation starters, phrases to express your opinion, phrases to express agreement or disagreement, how to (politely) interrupt a person speaking, how to say goodbye formally, additional tips, the bottom line.

You have probably noticed that there are many things in English that you can separate into casual and formal: clothing, events, and even relationships. Conversations are no exception.

Every English learner should master different communication styles with other people to be able to hold conversations of different levels of importance — and with people of different levels of familiarity.

You need to keep proper expressions in mind to be able to use them depending on the situation. Sometimes, just a few words are all it takes to turn the conversation in a completely different direction. Choosing the right ones at the right time will allow you to show yourself as a professional at all times.

Below, you will find a step-by-step guide to maintaining a formal conversation in English, along with helpful tips. Let's begin!

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Any conversation begins with a greeting. Formal greetings in English are appropriate when you communicate with colleagues, business partners, as well as people you meet for the first time.

When meeting new people, you need to find out the person's name, give your name in response, and say that you are pleased to meet them .

Here is a set of phrases for a formal greeting:

Possible responses to the formal greeting:

Make sure to check our post about the difference between "How are you?" and "How are you doing?" to find out which one is suitable for the business environment and which one to use in less formal settings.

If you did not hear what the other person said, ask them to repeat using one of the phrases :

After you have greeted the person, you need to continue the conversation . When talking to a friend, you are likely to quickly find a topic of conversation. However, if you have just met a person at an official event, it is necessary to establish contact between you and your new acquaintance .

We've already discussed the basic rules for running a small talk in the previous article . Although they refer to more casual chatting, they are also applicable to a given setting, so make sure to check them as well.

At a formal event (contrasting small talk or everyday conversations), you can use the following phrases to start a formal conversation in English:

Once you have the person’s attention, it is important to be able to keep the conversation going . Most likely, your new acquaintance will ask a question or will be interested in your point of view on a topic. To answer them, you need to know how to express your opinion in a polite manner .

Here are several phases suitable for both formal and casual speech:

At an official event, try to formulate your thoughts more carefully and less emotionally than when communicating with friends. For example:

First of all, let's figure out how you can agree with someone in English .

All the phrases listed below are appropriate in both formal and informal settings. They are neutral : if you are at a business event or a meeting, say them in a calm tone, and at a party with friends, you can get a little bit emotional.

Choose a phrase to agree with the person in a proper way:

When you want to express disagreement in a professional context, you need to be very polite to avoid offending the other person , especially if you have just met them or are at an official event.

We recommend using the following expressions of disagreement in a formal English conversation:

Interrupting someone without offending them is a real skill. Of course, it is important to note that you should not interrupt the speaker and wait until they are finished to express your opinion .

However, if it's necessary to intervene in the conversation, make sure to say "Excuse me!" first and then use one of the following examples:

After you have expressed your opinion, do not forget to pass the word back to the person . To do this, you can say:

After the conversation, you need to say goodbye to your new acquaintance . Of course, the standard " Goodbye! " is suitable for almost any given setting. However, you can say goodbye with other phrases as well.

Here is a list of expressions for ending a formal conversation in English:

As you already know, the formal style is used in an official setting —  when communicating at conferences and presentations, conducting business negotiations , writing documents, corporate emails, and scientific articles.

You should follow several rules to make the speech sound formal:

Avoid Using Contractions

In formal writing, there is no place for contractions like “I'm,” “I'd,” or “I don't.” Instead, use the complete forms of the words : “I am,” “I would,” and “I do not.”

Moreover, the use of contractions is one of the primary reasons for the most common misspellings — for example, confusing " their " and " they're ."

Misspellings can hurt the initial meaning of a sentence and make you look unprofessional .

What Does “Duly Noted” Mean?

Speaking of misspellings, let's take a closer look at the formal go-to phrase " duly noted ," which means that something is properly recorded or taken into proper consideration, i.e., in strict accordance with requirements. The word “duly” alone means something is done in a due manner or time, e.g., “duly elected” or “duly apologized.”

Its common misspellings include "dually noted," "dully noted," and "duelly noted." " Dually " means a double capacity, while " dully " means something is done in a boring manner. And if you’ll ever see “duelly noted” written, just know it's an incorrect spelling of “duly noted.”

Is “Duly Noted” Rude?

When spelled correctly, you can use "duly noted" in a formal speech in the meaning of simple acknowledgment of an opinion or action. That's why you also don't want to confuse the word "duly" with "dully" — to avoid letting someone know you barely consider what they're saying.

Moreover, "duly noted" can also be used sarcastically, meaning that something is heard and ignored rather than taken into appropriate consideration. It’s not necessarily rude, but you should pay close attention to the context in which you use the phrase "duly noted."

Avoid Using Slang and Phrasal Verbs

When holding a formal conversation, there are a few things you should avoid to make it sound appropriate. Some of these things include:

• Avoiding slang and colloquial expressions . This point is pretty obvious: it is difficult to imagine a business partner who calls you "bro."If you want to ask how the representative of the partner company is doing, it is unlikely that you will say, "What's up?" And in response, you will not receive the colloquial "Yourself?" but a polite "Thank you, very well."
• Avoiding phrasal verbs . Phrasal verbs should be replaced by regular ones. For example, in an official setting, you are unlikely to hear "the inflation rate went up ." Instead, it would be better to say "the inflation rate increased ." In addition, avoiding phrasal verbs reduces your chances of making mistakes because they can be very confusing for non-native speakers.

Use the Passive Voice

The formal English language uses not only long phrases but also complex grammatical constructions . If you have started to express an idea, make sure to develop it, support it with clear arguments, justify it and bring it to a conclusion .

In addition, formal emails and oral speech allow you to use the passive voice much more often than in casual conversation, as it is more suitable for an official setting. The reason is that the active voice personifies speech, while the passive voice has a more formal connotation , compare:

• You are invited to the conference.
• We invite you to the conference.

As you can see, the first option sounds more discreet and respectful.

If you want to speak formally, do not forget to use complex sentence structures (for example, independent clause + at least one adverbial phrase), participial phrases, conditional sentences, etc.

Use Special Terminology

Each industry has its own specifics, so try to use the appropriate jargon or vocabulary. For example, if you work for an accounting firm and check the financial statements of a business, it would be appropriate to say " audit " instead of " check ."

Try to use specific, industry-related words in an official setting and business correspondence — your English speaking skills will not only benefit from this, but the person you’re speaking to will also be pleasantly surprised.

Avoid Speaking for Yourself

If you are writing a business letter or conducting business negotiations, try to avoid expressions such as " I think " and " in my opinion ."

As a rule, you should speak on behalf of the company you work for — talk less about yourself and your personal opinion, and contact business partners as a representative of the company.

Here are the example sentences:

Be Discreet and Inclusive

Last but not least. Formal speech is an example of ethical, respectful, and inclusive communication . Choose your words carefully to avoid offending the people you’re addressing.

To write and speak inclusively, make sure to follow these principles:

• Use gender-neutral language and pronouns, such as the singular "they."
• Avoid gendered group language, such as "you guys."
• Avoid stereotyping and making neither positive nor negative generalizations.
• Avoid making assumptions regarding anyone’s sexuality or relationship status.
• Avoid outdated language .
• If you're not sure about something, ask!

As you can see, to maintain a formal conversation in the English language, you need to learn some common phrases that will help you start a conversation, and you’ll need to be careful with your choice of words. Fortunately, you don't have to memorize all the examples mentioned in this article — you can revisit it as frequently as you need to.

Furthermore, with practice, you will learn a lot of additional expressions from native English speakers and boost your English vocabulary.

If you're interested in expanding your vocabulary and picking proper phrasing, you can download our Langster app . It is full of bite-sized stories with grammar explanations for each, which will allow you to enjoy your English learning experience even more. See for yourself:

Click this box for a free Langster story

Ellis is a seasoned polyglot and one of the creative minds behind Langster Blog, where she shares effective language learning strategies and insights from her own journey mastering the four languages. Ellis strives to empower learners globally to embrace new languages with confidence and curiosity. Off the blog, she immerses herself in exploring diverse cultures through cinema and contemporary fiction, further fueling her passion for language and connection.

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Understand how audiologists, speech-language pathologists help kids reach milestones

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Communication is a key milestone in a child’s development and the professionals who support that growth provide families the tools for success.

This month is National Speech-Language-Hearing month and Kidable Therapy is using this time to celebrate the work of audiologists and speech-language pathologists.

Rachel Greene is a speech-language pathologist with Kidable Therapy. She joined Here @ Home to explain the signs families can look for to see if their child needs extra support in their growth.

While Kidable Therapy focuses on children, speech-language pathologists support people of all ages and treat things like speech sounds, stuttering, swallowing and reading and writing.

Beyond Kidable Therapy there are other resources for parents to help them determine if they should see a speech-language pathologist. One of those organizations is Bright by Text and the other is American Speech Language Hearing Association.

Copyright 2024 WDBJ. All rights reserved.

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Class of 2024 Spotlight: Speech-Language Pathology

Jasmine Hogan – M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology

During her time at CSULB, Jasmine Hogan says she encountered various challenges that fostered a deep sense of resiliency and determination within herself. 

“I was balancing a full-time job alongside a rigorous academic schedule. Going into graduate school, time management was never one of my strong suits; however, CSULB’s graduate program made sure that was going to change. Time management became an art that I had to learn how to MASTER.” 

Jasmine says weeknights were spent doing late-night study sessions and weekends were spent working late nights, until sometimes 1 or 2 in the morning whether she was doing school work or just working. 

“The grind never stopped. I sacrificed time with my family and friends, and self-care days disappeared completely. It became an intense internal struggle.”

Jasmine’s reliance on supporting herself financially was constantly battling with her need to succeed in academics. 

“The mental and physical toll of maintaining such a demanding schedule almost broke me,” Jasmine says. “Moments of doubt reared its evil head in constant waves, and I was continuously wondering if the pursuit of this dual endeavor was sustainable.”

However, amidst the waves of doubt, adversity was born and became a catalyst for Jasmine’s resilience. What became a crucial aspect in her ability to continue on, was the support network from her friends, family and fellow cohort members.

“Their belief in my abilities served as a beacon of light during my darkest times and reaffirmed my conviction that perseverance would ultimately lead to success. As I reflect on this incredibly challenging journey, I am grateful for the obstacles encountered along the way, for they instilled within me tenacity and grit. I am empowered by the knowledge that adversity is not a hinderance but rather an opportunity for growth and resilience.”

That resilience was also cultivated through Jasmine’s intense sense of her “why.” 

“The journey towards choosing speech language pathology as my career path was deeply rooted in my passion for helping others and my strong belief in the transformative power of effective communication. From a young age, I recognized the pivotal role that speech, language, and communication play in fostering meaningful connections and relationships. I truly feel as though the decision to pursue speech pathology was a calling rather than a choice. After I learned about this field, I became captivated by the notion of empowering others to overcome communication barriers and enhance their quality of life.

In addition to her full work and school schedule, Jasmine served as a teacher’s assistant and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Board Personnel for Dr. Belinda Daughrity. 

“Dr. Daughrity embodies a unique blend of wisdom, grace and expertise. Although her intellect is undoubtedly awe-inspiring, what truly sets her apart is her genuine investment in nurturing aspiring minds like mine. Her mentorship has been nothing short of transformative for both my academic and personal growth. I’m blessed to say that in her I have found not just a mentor but a role model. Not to mention that because of her, I have had the honor and privilege to attend and present at a national ASHA convention.”

“As a future Speech-Language Pathologist, I have the power to create and foster a sense of inclusivity and equity, ensuring that every child receives quality care regardless of their cultural/ethnic background or economic status.”

• HEALTH & FITNESS

National Speech-Language Hearing Month aims to end stigmas

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- May is National Speech Language Hearing Month.

Millions of Americans suffer from related disorders and, unfortunately, the stigmas surrounding them.

Robert M. Augustine, the former President of the American Speech Language Hearing Association, joined Brighter News to speak more about this.

Some high-profile names are helping bring awareness to aphasia, including President Joe Biden, who has discussed his late son Beau's struggle.

Biden has also spoken openly about how coping with a stutter was one of his greatest challenges as a young person and that he still sometimes struggles with halting speech in his public appearances.

Pennsylvanian Senator John Fetterman has also battled aphasia, as well as actor Bruce Willis and talk show host Wendy Williams.

Hearing loss is another disorder that is not just an older person problem. Many younger Americans battle it and the stigmas that come with it.

Augustine talks about where can adults with communication disorders can find help. For more, watch the interview above.

Related Topics

• HEARING AID
• SIGN LANGUAGE
• U.S. & WORLD
• JOHN FETTERMAN
• WENDY WILLIAMS

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Microsoft bans US police departments from using enterprise AI tool for facial recognition

Microsoft has reaffirmed its ban on U.S. police departments from using generative AI for facial recognition through Azure OpenAI Service , the company’s fully managed, enterprise-focused wrapper around OpenAI tech.

Language added Wednesday to the terms of service for Azure OpenAI Service more clearly prohibits integrations with Azure OpenAI Service from being used “by or for” police departments for facial recognition in the U.S., including integrations with OpenAI’s current — and possibly future — image-analyzing models.

A separate new bullet point covers “any law enforcement globally,” and explicitly bars the use of “real-time facial recognition technology” on mobile cameras, like body cameras and dashcams, to attempt to identify a person in “uncontrolled, in-the-wild” environments.

The changes in policy come a week after Axon, a maker of tech and weapons products for military and law enforcement, announced a new product that leverages OpenAI’s GPT-4 generative text model to summarize audio from body cameras. Critics were quick to point out the potential pitfalls, like hallucinations (even the best generative AI models today invent facts) and racial biases introduced from the training data (which is especially concerning given that people of color are far more likely to be stopped by police than their white peers).

It’s unclear whether Axon was using GPT-4 via Azure OpenAI Service, and, if so, whether the updated policy was in response to Axon’s product launch. OpenAI had previously restricted the use of its models for facial recognition through its APIs. We’ve reached out to Axon, Microsoft and OpenAI and will update this post if we hear back.

The new terms leave wiggle room for Microsoft.

The complete ban on Azure OpenAI Service usage pertains only to U.S. , not international, police. And it doesn’t cover facial recognition performed with stationary cameras in controlled environments, like a back office (although the terms prohibit any use of facial recognition by U.S. police).

That tracks with Microsoft’s and close partner OpenAI’s recent approach to AI-related law enforcement and defense contracts.

In January, reporting by Bloomberg revealed that OpenAI is working with the Pentagon on a number of projects including cybersecurity capabilities — a departure from the startup’s earlier ban on providing its AI to militaries. Elsewhere, Microsoft has pitched using OpenAI’s image generation tool, DALL-E, to help the Department of Defense (DoD) build software to execute military operations, per The Intercept.

Azure OpenAI Service became available in Microsoft’s Azure Government product in February, adding additional compliance and management features geared toward government agencies including law enforcement. In a blog post , Candice Ling, SVP of Microsoft’s government-focused division Microsoft Federal, pledged that Azure OpenAI Service would be “submitted for additional authorization” to the DoD for workloads supporting DoD missions.

Update: After publication, Microsoft said its original change to the terms of service contained an error, and in fact the ban applies only to facial recognition in the U.S. It is not a blanket ban on police departments using the service.