Writing Letters: formal & informal English
A letter to your friend and a cover letter for a job application are written very differently. Whether you work in business or are taking the general IELTS or CELPIP test, knowing the difference between informal and formal writing is a skill you should have. Watch this writing lesson, take our quiz, and check out our resource page to become a better writer.
- Use the resource: www.engvid.com/english-resourc...
- Take the quiz: www.engvid.com/writing-letters...
www.engvid.com/
TRANSCRIPT:
Hello, my name is Emma, and in today's lesson we are going to learn about writing. What kind of writing? Writing letters. Okay? So this is important for people who work in business. It's also important for people who like to write letters to their friends maybe or to their grandparents in English. Also, it is very... It is a very useful video for anyone who is taking the general IELTS test. So if you're taking not academic, but general, this is an important video. And also, if you plan to immigrate to Canada and you want to do the Canadian immigration test which is called: "the CELPIP", this video is also... It will also be useful and helpful to you. Okay?
So let's get started. What do I mean by "formal" and "informal"? "Informal" means something you would write to your friends, something you would write to your parents, - well, probably your parents unless you're afraid of your parents, then you might be more formal -, your classmates, your coworkers. Okay? So this is... It means it's not formal; it's for people you know well. On the other hand, "formal" English we use with strangers, we use with our boss, in the workplace, we use it in these different ways. So it's the English you really have to think about, whereas informal is kind of the relaxed English. So relaxed, serious. Okay?
So, sometimes you will have to write a letter formally, maybe to your boss or your company, other times maybe you're on holiday and you want to write a letter to your friend, you'll use informal English. So what is the difference? Let's see.
Informal English uses contractions. What are contractions? "Didn't", "wouldn't", "couldn't", "haven't", "hasn't". So if you see a verb with an apostrophe and then a "t", that is a contraction. Okay? It's very important to know this because in formal writing, you don't use contractions. "Didn't" would be: "Did not". I can write that for you. "Did not". Couldn't: could not, haven't: have not, can't: cannot. Okay? So that's one major difference.
Another major difference between formal and informal writing is the use of idioms; the use of certain expressions. If I'm writing to my friend, maybe I'll say: "Oh, you know, I've been very under the weather lately." Meaning: I've been very sick. If I'm writing to my boss, I won't use idioms. If I'm writing a formal letter, I will not use idioms. Those aren't good to use in formal writing.
Phrasal verbs, this is another thing we find in informal writing. What is a phrasal verb? It's a verb that has a preposition. Okay? So, for example: "find out", "find" is a verb, "out" is the preposition. "Go" is the verb, "up" is the preposition. So the... The preposition adds a different meaning to the verb. Phrasal verbs are very difficult to learn; we have so many of them in English. My students have told me phrasal verbs are one of the hardest parts of learning English, but it's possible, you can do it.
Пікірлер: 1 400
don't go to school ,KZread has everything we need
@sebastianlambert986
8 жыл бұрын
no it's doesn't that's why there's library's
@fatemehrafigh718
8 жыл бұрын
I'm positive
@syedhussaini4340
7 жыл бұрын
Jim is Reluctant you are curect
@noorshawky7330
7 жыл бұрын
well... not really
@fazzynone1
7 жыл бұрын
We still need to sit for exams, so we have to go.
Informal-->That's what she said. Formal---->That is what she said.
@clueless6590
8 жыл бұрын
ya lol
@yasu90
8 жыл бұрын
+paul sha masterclass
@FarukKhan-ke6hl
8 жыл бұрын
+paul sha how much you want for that comment?? how much money??
@paulsha9582
8 жыл бұрын
lots it's priceless
@mustafamirza7064
8 жыл бұрын
lmao
I'm a native speaker of Portuguese (a Romance language) and I think learning phrasal verbs difficult. So now I have a reason to avoid to use them: I am a very serious person. hahaha
I am looking for helpful resources to improve my english and I had some issues with writings,but this video was the key to understand the differences.Thank you!
I know how to speak English. I thought I should watch this video since I speak and I am around people who speak informal English. This is a great video. :)
Thanks teacher, now I undestand better when I should use Formal or Informal writting letters.
Working as a teacher on my android phone because I watch many videos on youtube about grammar related Moreover I have benefited through this opportunuty . I would like thanks them for giving us a golden opportunity .
I thanks her, she tells in that way that I have spoke with her several times that is I can understand her every word. I do not face any problem to understand even a single word of her.
Thanks ma'am, this is an easy to understand for any student like us. It is very helpful to me and hope to others. However, your efforts of teaching is good. May Allah bless you that you are going to make this world educated. Thanks
@abdulsalamcv8467
10 жыл бұрын
Nice
@trolingaso1483
6 жыл бұрын
Your english is brokee as fuck, mate.
@errorsansfemale9456
5 жыл бұрын
@Nataly Peralta agree Trolingaso is RUDE
@adnankhan-bj7ne
5 жыл бұрын
@@trolingaso1483 you are also fuckkkkkk
@bhjopurichanelamansharma4891
5 жыл бұрын
Yes
Thank you for helping me doing informal and formal writing! This really helps! KZread > School!
@amin4_
4 жыл бұрын
True 👍🏻
@sarahcheema3750
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah. So True. 👍🏼
@thefunfam13
3 жыл бұрын
True 👍👍👍
Thanks! that helped me more since my English exam is due tomorrow
As a Moroccan, I think you are the best English teacher I've ever known ! Thank you.
@souhailkaoussi8615
10 жыл бұрын
(y) she's the best ;)
@SoukainaAmaadour
10 жыл бұрын
Yes, she really is.
I would like to express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart, for this enlightening resource you presented among us today.
@thulaibarshad626
2 ай бұрын
You mean 10 years ago
@syedarmaghanhassan4652
2 ай бұрын
@@thulaibarshad626 lol, yes, rather more precisely
Who’s here Cause teachers sent them here cause Covid19
@vrishanksingh7674
4 жыл бұрын
me its so saddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
@AL-gc5eb
4 жыл бұрын
LOL I just gotta write a formal letter
@anukshareddy9432
4 жыл бұрын
Yes true
@mecaska2828
4 жыл бұрын
Yup
@veronicaydavid7646
4 жыл бұрын
Lol same I’m doing a card for my future teacher :,,,,(
I hope you are doing well Am sharik from India am teacher your all videos i watch regularly now am preparing for fluently English i like your ideas and tips...
You are indeed a good teacher .You are so exact and your simplicity of teaching is one to none. I will subscribe your channel
Thank you for understanding my work miss Emma 👍❤️😊
Very good pacing, the lesson was easy to follow. The link to the webpage is worth following; it has some very useful information and is easy to understand. A good resource, thanks.
the materials you gave on this video is important and helpful. many resources do not mention it on their syllabus, but you do. i appreciate for this video and your way giving the material, totally easy to understand.
Great teacher! Great mentor! Great consultant!
Hey! Is it same for both Academic and General? Is it compulsory to use contractions in informal ?
Thanks u so much I got 100% in my test🤙🏿
Thank you for helping me doing informal and formal writing
That was an outstanding videostill studying in school but vrry helpful
I have learnt in 12 mins more than a whole scolastic year
Thank you so much it is very useful
The phrasal verb bit really helped me. Thank you!
I do not understand the dislikes on this video my english is not the best but in these 12 minutes I have learned many new things thank you mis I strongly appreciate what you have learned me thank you
i needed this for my exam thx for makin this vid
who is here after 7 years
@renukamachal2737
3 жыл бұрын
Me
@user-xc6om6fj8w
3 жыл бұрын
Not me
@razalodhi8916
3 жыл бұрын
me
@abdirizakali9644
5 ай бұрын
10 yrs😂😂
@Lizaihere
5 ай бұрын
After 10 years
awesome teacher.She teaches well.
I do love what's about letter is...it makes me figure out about a thing
The Best English Teacher "EMMA"
@annieallen9311
4 жыл бұрын
And Paul too)
@sumantrisjaifuddin1364
4 жыл бұрын
And joe mama *lmao*
20 years out of school and I still find writing very interesting.
Thank you, it help me to write my letter!
This is very useful video .Thank you very much!
A fabulous display of teaching. A great teacher, lucid and to the point. A great style
Thank you for this video 😄
Nice teacher! Pleasant to listen!
You made me learn how to write informal letter Thank you so much
Hi, Emma, thank you so much. Occassionally I am watching your videos on grammar and today I have learnt more knowledge of letter writing both iin Formal and Informal.
@Mindset_Trive
Жыл бұрын
LoL
@richardabia9735
5 ай бұрын
Yeah !!! I agree with you !!!
I strongly appreciate your learning content and way of teaching us. My English has increasingly improved because of you!
You are the best English teacher ever.
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED YOUR VALUABLE SESSION. THANK YOU.
i love your video a lots. Big thank to you Emma
@santoshramekar8535
7 жыл бұрын
Yes
@vuyiswawelman6789
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks my dear I love ur video
i love the way you explain. thank you
i found the best english teacher fo me , thank you
You're just wow Emma ! so informative and helpful thanks
wow! great. keep up the good work!
Thank you for this. Finally, a video with music in the background or no effects down with it. Thank you so much! My exam is Tuesday! Thanks for the help!
She speaks vry clear English. We people of subcontinent can understand it easily
Dear Emma ,24/11/2021 I have to tell you that I'm Brazilian, and I like to spend more time in my spare time, or when I'm upset, to watch your videos, you're amazing, if I could I would spend more time watching your videos.
@arandomcivilian2988
Ай бұрын
Lol
Hi Emma, your videos are absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for these. I've literally been watching just your videos for tips and tricks in order to understand each section of the IELTS comprehensively. God bless you! Thank you again
Thank you so much because of you I got 95*/.
@hadjiratabalde7762
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for helping me understand difference between formal and informal letter
Really this woman is so good and easy method of learning English
Thank you so much beautiful teacher .❤️🤙👍💪
I strongly agree with you. I really appreciate it.
Hi Emma, can you please make a video about : " when do we use present perfect"
@MoAmine-rn1bn2qh1i
3 жыл бұрын
"When we are talking in Past without mentioning the time" that's all 🤝
@rj44sb
3 жыл бұрын
@@MoAmine-rn1bn2qh1i you give her reply after seven years
@snur_8273
3 жыл бұрын
@@rj44sb lol😅😅
@knownfacts3721
2 жыл бұрын
Hi , love you
Thank you .love from South Africa
your accent is really very good i learn from you when ever i have english exam i watch your videos and you know this is my third english exam three of the exam i learn from you
if i miss emma's lesson my day is bad , i simply love the way she teaches , not only because she's beautiful but because she's spontanious and that's makes her really good, keep up the good work emma, bless you.
@xiangwangcheng9806
10 жыл бұрын
I think that is just a spelling error, but it's " that makes her really good", right?
I want some more tips about letter writing
Emma you are best ! I have seen alot of IELTS videos but it's you who always have something which others don't ! Keep up the good work !
Coool! very helpful for classes!
+Learn English With Emma [engVid] Emma, this is my second day watching your tips for IELTS and I am already falling in love with you! haha Thanks for the tips! they are helping me a lot!
@mubasharalisulehria9487
6 жыл бұрын
T.V. is the acronym of Television not abbreviation.
Dear Emma Hello I hope you well How are you? I would like to express my gratitude for your awesome teaching. Moreover I strongly know that you are tied up. Best Wishes, Fahime
u provide me a clear concept about formal and informal letters
I have been watching your videos for years. Thank you very much
Mam I have learned well English with you I'm from India
@puransinghbisht5686
3 жыл бұрын
Hi ,i m also Indian.😊😊😊
Thank you so much, I benefited from you 💗💝
@nomivlogs5129
5 жыл бұрын
good
many thanks Emma!)
thanks, Emma for guiding.
thank you so much, wonderful teacher.I'm from the philippines,I watched a lot of your english videos and its helpful.
Formal "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late" Informal "This whole place stinks and you're f**king rude!"
@Roman_93
3 жыл бұрын
I agree, quoting Gandalf can supply you with a lot of formal sentences.
This might help me a lot ,thanks!
Very very thank you miss today is my exam you are very good tutor
Emma, Can we use am/ pm to represent time in FORMAL writing? or do we have to expand ? Is that ok if we write 18 hrs to denote 24 hour format? Please help
@errorsansfemale9456
5 жыл бұрын
I agree it would be helpful to know
This was extremely helpful! I am a native English speaker and had never understood the terms "idiom," and "imperative" I am also helplessly addicted to contractions when I write and have never heard of the term "phrasal verbs" Great!
Many thanks Emma. It's a great help.
No doubt it is a complete lesson.
Thank you so much for this lesson :)
Thank you so much. I have an exam tomorrow. I don't know what can I do without your channel ❤❤❤
tons of thanks TEACHER EMMA
Thank you Emma .
Thank you for the video👏🏻
for he's very hot, you can say: he is steaming
@areyoued6120
3 жыл бұрын
@Jamal Ramadan did u not get the joke, lmaoooo
@Allsmilessmith
3 жыл бұрын
For real what’s happened to people have humor
@nopep5606
3 жыл бұрын
lol
@rukhsanaadnan4067
3 жыл бұрын
I think he has given an example
@samratgyawali2809
3 жыл бұрын
@@areyoued6120 no need to be rude.. I mean we'll are here to learn english. I am sure he didn't get the joke and he is trying to learn! English isn't everyone first language
Dear Emma, Formal and informal letter writing very useful video to me, thanks a lot.
Tommorow is my exam, but this video is working like boost for me , thanks mam, love from india 🇮🇳
Thank you Emma for the IELTs reading test. Please more about this type of examination.
Hi Teacher Emma thank you for this video.. My exam will be on August 14 and I'm really freakin' out.
@ladybird_edits6039
3 жыл бұрын
Good luck
@shribandekar8571
3 жыл бұрын
Unak
Hello I'm seeing your video from India you have a best teaching experience thank you Emma mam
You are wonderful! Thank you!
excellent. you told to many ideas about of expression in englis, excellent now, I learned, how write formal, for me is important, because, i´m going to find a job (position in english, obviously) is important to know all thing. THANK YOU.
@justsurfingtheinternet1816
4 жыл бұрын
Your comment has horrible English. Try to be at least a bit formal. Thank you
beautiful class,my beautiful teacher!
that's great to learn english with you thank you very much
pinky was my miominipony and I miss it. Avevo un mini pony tutto rosa e lo pettinavo, lo coccolavo, era mio amico, era un regalo. La solitudine e' with me Emma
this program is so helpful, thank you Emma, I like you so much, your teaching is well
I need essay writer. Please recommend.
@charlasouthgate1609
8 жыл бұрын
*essay-help.all-about.in* - this service has done well with all the papers I requested or needed.
@sujithbabuk
6 жыл бұрын
Yes,could you make the video
@vazulregim3388
6 жыл бұрын
letter for bron
@reenarajput6484
6 жыл бұрын
nice video. .thanks dear
@math2mkd225
6 жыл бұрын
Marabel Biddick yyyy
Thanks Emma 👍 😊
The sight of this board just made me despair with all my hopes of writing a really good letter.