Formal Wetenschappelijke artikelen, essays, zakelijke brieven, contracten, rapporten,…
Semi-formal Dagelijkse interactie met collega’s en docenten, populaire tijdschriften,
interviews,…
Informal Met vrienden praten, chatten
1.1 Expressions
Less formal More formal
help assistance
buy purchase
need require
get obtain
Next/later subsequently
Also/plus moreover
whole Entire
enough sufficient
1.2 Formal English: Avoid phrasal verbs
The price went up The price rose/increased
The client asked for a contract The client requested a contract
The problems have come back The problems have returned
We will cut down on spending We will reduce spending
1.3 Formal English: Avoid contractions
Hasn’t, you’re, we’d,… Has not, you are, we would
1.4 Formal English: No idioms, slang, avoid shortened words
Idiom
- The software is a piece of cake.
- The software is quite user-friendly.
- The software is extremely easy to use.
Slang
- A million bucks in profit.
- A million dollars in profit.
Shortened words
- The info → the information
,- The lab → the laboratory
- Veggies → vegetables
1.5 Semi-informal English: expressions
Look over Overlezen en kijken voor fouten
Come up with Met nieuwe ideeën komen
On the back burner Het is op dit moment geen prioriteit
In the red Geen geld hebben
- I’m, were’nt,… → mag je gebruiken
- I would like/I’d like → in plaats van ‘I want’.
- Could you please call me later? → in plaats van ‘Call me later’.
1.6 Semi-formal English: polite English – criticisms and negative comments
You’re wrong I’m afraid you’re mistaken
I disagree I’m of a different opinion
This is terrible work This could be improved
I don’t like it I don’t really care for it
1.7 Informal English: expressions
I mean To clarify
… you know? Do you understand?
Gotcha I understand
How come Why?
Yeah right I don’t believe you
I’ll say! I definitely agree with you
Wow! Surprise
oops Accident
Yuck That’s disgusting
Gonna Going to
Wanna Want to
Didja Did you
Hafta Have to
n and
Put up with Verdragen, toleren
Give me a hand Help me
To ace (I aced this test) Een uitstekende score hebben
, 1.8 More formal/less formal words
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