Exercises in Formal and Informal English Pronunciation Correct language Informal pronunciation Formal Example Informal Example can kin “My manager can approve your application.” “I can help you with that.” to ta “I have to speak to the director.” “Take some time to talk to me.” you ya “I will get back to you in a moment.” “We’ll leave whenever you want (to leave).” your yur “I am calling to confirm your appointment.” “I hope you’re having a good time on your birthday.” for fur “I am making a request for information.” “Thanks for everything!” what you what’cha “See what you can find out about this.” “I have what you want.” used to use ta “I used to all my business here.” “This used to be my favorite restaurant!” s’posed ta “We are all supposed to participate.” “He’s supposed to be here already!” looking lookin’ “They are looking into making an investment.” “I was looking at that picture!” taking takin’ “We’re taking stock of the situation.” “It’s taking a long time to finish.” putting puttin’ “He’s putting me in a new role.” “He’s not putting any effort into it.” condensed syllables supposed to dropped ‘g’ Contractions and Colloquialisms Formal Informal That is That’s That is You have You’ve You have got to speak to someone about this You’ve got something there! You will You’ll You will have to have support You’ll have to have help You had You’d You had better be prepared for some criticism You’d better get down here fast! How are How’re How are you planning to accomplish this? How’re ya doin’? I will I’ll I will speak to when I have a chance I’ll talk to you when I can I will have I’ll ‘ve I will have completed my project by next week I’ll ‘ve finished all of my projects by then Come on C’mon Come on over to my office tomorrow C’mon over! I’m ordering pizza! going to gonna I am going to start working on that I’m gonna start soon want to wanna Do you want to make a proposal? Do you wanna say something? got to gotta I have got to get more accomplished today I’ve gotta get more done today should have shoulda We should have called his office first We shoulda turned left at the light could have coulda He could have sent his email yesterday He coulda done a better job than that cannot can’t I cannot hear the speaker on stage I can’t hear anything! am not/are not ain’t I am not planning to attend the meeting I ain’t goin’ to that party tomorrow Pronunciation Exercise Instructions: 1) read each situation in the first column and identify it as formal or informal in the space provided 2) match each situation with the spoken language in the column at right Write the letter in the match column 3) read aloud each sentence that matches the given situation If the situation is informal, use informal language and pronunciation Situation F (formal) or I (informal) Match Spoken Language You are speaking to the owner of an apartment building a “When can I expect to hear from you?” You are speaking about your apartment to a friend b “We are supposed to begin at 7:30 this evening.” You are responding to your boss who wants to know why you were not in your office c “I am going to start cooking at 7:30.” You find your son crawling along the floor of your kitchen d “I have been looking for you.” You are offering to treat your friend to dinner e “When can I come over?” A waiter is taking your order at a restaurant f “You are supposed to be asleep!” You are asking your doctor to call you back with test results g “How much you think I’m paying for this place?” You are talking on the phone with your neighbor across the hall h “How are you coming along with your report?” You are talking to your son in his bed i “I am not doing that!” You are speaking with the manager of a hotel about a conference being held in the hotel j “What would you like to eat?” You are talking on the phone with a co-worker about the speech you are giving that evening k “How much you want for this apartment?” You are telling your wife what you will to make dinner that evening l “What you want to eat?” You are typing an email to someone to whom you have given an assignment at your office m “I have been looking for you.” You are talking to your wife while waiting to meet someone for dinner at a restaurant n “I am going to start speaking at 7:30.” You are disagreeing with your wife about who will take out the garbage o “Simon should’ve been here an hour ago.” Pronunciation Exercise—Answer Key F (formal) or I (informal) Match You are speaking to the owner of an apartment building F k a “When can I expect to hear from you?” You are speaking about your apartment to a friend I g b “We are supposed to begin at 7:30 this evening.” You are responding to your boss who wants to know why you were not in your office F m c “I am going to start cooking at 7:30.” You find your son crawling along the floor of your kitchen I d d “I have been looking for you.” You are offering to treat your friend to dinner I l e “When can I come over?” A waiter is taking your order at a restaurant F j f “You are supposed to be asleep!” You are asking your doctor to call you back with test results F a g “How much you think I’m paying for this place?” You are talking on the phone with your neighbor across the hall I e h “How are you coming along with your report?” You are talking to your son in his bed I f i “I am not doing that!” You are speaking with the manager of a hotel about a conference being held in the hotel F b j “What would you like to eat?” You are talking on the phone with a co-worker about the speech you are giving that evening I n k “How much you want for this apartment?” You are telling your wife what you will to make dinner that evening I c l “What you want to eat?” You are typing an email to someone to whom you have given an assignment at your office F h m “I have been looking for you.” You are talking to your wife while waiting to meet someone for dinner at a restaurant I o n “I am going to start speaking at 7:30.” You are disagreeing with your wife about who will take out the garbage I i o “Simon should’ve been here an hour ago.” Situation Spoken Language