This tag is for questions regarding formal, versus informal words and usage.
4
votes
3answers
686 views
A negative person [closed]
What is the best word that I could use to describe a person that seems to attract negative situations? Every time I am around him/her, something bad always seems to happen. Is there a word to describe ...
0
votes
3answers
249 views
How common is “What happened?” when asking people to repeat what they said? How long has this been in common usage?
For several years, I have heard most young people and some adults use the phrase What happened? when they do not hear what is spoken. It appears to be used where previously several other phrases were ...
4
votes
3answers
4k views
What is a more formal way to say “Don't get me wrong”?
I think the phrase "Don't get me wrong" in conversation means, "I'm about to say something that you might misunderstand, so don't."
I'm looking for a similar phrase that sounds better when speaking ...
4
votes
5answers
362 views
What's a more formal name for a “third” party?
Two parties are trying to resolve some dispute that involves interest of both. Sometimes it's hard for them to reach an agreement on a fair basis. This is typically when another party who has no ...
10
votes
4answers
5k views
What is the male equivalent of “mistress” in formal English?
The mistress definition, Oxford dictionary
a woman having an extramarital sexual relationship, esp. with a married man
I am looking for the male equivalent of 'mistress' as defined above. Some ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
How many articles should go in “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”?
On the very first Christmas card was written "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..."
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/christmas-card-sayings-and-phrases.html
In wiki dictionary that same ...
8
votes
2answers
59k views
Formally introducing yourself in an email
I am composing an email to a work associate who I have never had any dealings with before. I'm struggling to think of a formal yet succinct way of introducing myself.
In person, I would probably say: ...
6
votes
3answers
597 views
A question of informal punctuation: How do you correctly end a sentence with 'haha'?
What is the best way to end an informal sentence (such as a text or over Facebook chat) with haha?
Consider the following options:
It's always bugged me haha
It's always bugged me haha.
...
4
votes
4answers
338 views
When proper usage impedes communication
This question may be moderated as unanswerable, but I am interested in opinions.
Take this scenario: Most people I know will improperly correct "The ball belongs to John and me." to "The ball belongs ...
2
votes
1answer
540 views
Posting a letter and sending it via e-mail
I am sending a formal letter to a recipient by registered post and e-mail.
Is it convention to include within the e-mail/PDF such text like: "As sent via post on " or something similar to inform the ...
4
votes
0answers
93 views
Is there a U.S. equivalent or version of the Plain English Campaign? [closed]
I recently found out about the Plain English Campaign, a UK-based movement for simplification of document language. They advocate the use of plain English in corporate-to-consumer and ...
0
votes
2answers
352 views
Are there clear differences in formality of words between British-English and American-English [closed]
I wonder if there are any clear distinctions regarding using formal words in British-English and in American-English. Do American and English people use different words when for instance asking a ...
1
vote
5answers
3k views
More formal way to say “just in case”
I thought "provisionally" was what I was looking for, as in:
"As a provisional measure, I'd like someone with Volkswagen Corporate to follow up with me next week."
What I really mean is:
"Just in ...
1
vote
3answers
198 views
Is “non-freedom” correct?
I need to write something like
Students were silenced because of social media posts: a case of non-freedom.
That isn't the exact context, but I need to know if non-freedom is correct.
6
votes
6answers
419 views
Meaning of “No, yes …”
I'm not sure if this is something only Americans say, but it has confused me for a long time. If someone is asked a question why do some people respond with something like, "No, yes it was"? What does ...
5
votes
3answers
767 views
Appropriate use of “app” vs “application”
Can app serve as an accepted abbreviation for application in formal contexts? Is there some context where app is more accepted (for example, when talking about mobile applications)?
2
votes
1answer
663 views
Family name, given name and middle name confusion in latin name [closed]
I currently live in a Latin country, where we have names which have two last names. For example,
John Perez Espinosa
I am filling a DS-2019 Form because I am moving to the U.S. but for the name ...
2
votes
3answers
598 views
Is the singular “they” acceptable in formal writing? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a correct gender-neutral, singular pronoun (“his” versus “her” versus “their”)?
I am linking to this post for reference.
...
7
votes
1answer
502 views
Is it okay to start a sentence with a Greek letter (variable)?
Is it okay to start a sentence with a variable? Do I need to rewrite a sentence just because the subject is typeset as a Greek letter?
For example:
Φ is treated in a special way.
vs.
...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
What is a “hens party” and where is this phrase commonly used?
Where does the term come from, where in the world is the term used?
I came across the usage in this article, with this paragraph as quoted:
Keara O'Neil was on a shopping trip to find bridesmaid ...
3
votes
2answers
569 views
Does “flattered” have a negative meaning in this context?
When I finished my business trip, my customer unexpectedly invited me to his home for dinner. Can I say "I am flattered" to show my unexpectation of their kindness? And what else can I say in this ...
1
vote
3answers
381 views
What is the formal way of expressing 1990s?
How do you express the last decade of 20th century in formal written English? "1990s"? If the century is known from the context, can you simply say "the nineties"?
As in: "The involvement of US in ...
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Use of “of course” in technical writing
Can of course be used in technical writing? I heard that it is used typically in informal writing. I am not sure though. For example,
The existing scheduling techniques work well on a mix of ...
1
vote
2answers
83 views
Addressing a person with “man”
Is there any issue to address or call a person (a gentleman, of course) with man? I think the word man has a strange meaning. Which is the best way to address? Is hello enough?
3
votes
2answers
516 views
Difference between “thesis” and “dissertation” [closed]
Is there a difference between thesis and dissertation in a British academic context? I saw that thesis was more used at Masters level while dissertation at PhD level but would like a confirmation.
3
votes
2answers
2k views
I'd rather not [do something] vs I'd prefer not to [do something]
In this question the issue came up as to whether there's any difference in the level of politeness/correctness involved in I'd rather not say as opposed to I'd prefer not to say.
My own gut feeling ...
3
votes
3answers
354 views
In which way is /dɑːtə/ more formal than /deɪtə/?
Wiktionary lists two different UK pronunciations of data:
/deɪtə/ (UK, US)
/dɑːtə/ (Australia, UK formal)
Under what kind of circumstances would the /ɑː/ sound be used?
Which ...
3
votes
3answers
493 views
Are sentences that have multiple “WH Question” words considered grammatical?
Are sentences that have multiple "WH Question" words considered grammatical ?
For example, is the following sentence grammatical:
Tomorrow, where are we meeting at what time to do what ?
3
votes
2answers
301 views
Is “grab” an informal way of saying “learn”?
I am writing to someone who is a sort of respectful person and I wanted to form a sentence such as below and I am wondering if using grab instead of learn or get is informal and looks odd.
I'd ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
More formal way to say “follow up”
I am writing a formal letter and want to say "I am following up with you regarding..." but I need to say it more formally.
2
votes
1answer
365 views
Can we use “what the heck” in formal contexts to denote a more friendly environment?
I see in many movies bad words are censored or simply replaced by a beep sound. But the expression what the heck is not censored and you can hear it clearly.
You can also see that this expression is ...
3
votes
3answers
6k views
Does the phrase “who's in?” or “I'm in!” exist in (informal) English?
I really think I've heard it in some American sitcom/sitcoms, meaning something like participating in. "I want to play football. Who's in?" — "Great idea, I'm in!" Does it really exist, or am I wrong? ...
25
votes
13answers
35k views
More formal way of saying: “Sorry to bug you again about this, but …”
I was wondering if there was a more formal and polite way of saying:
Sorry to bug you again about this, but we still have not received a response about X ....
(if we still have not received any ...
9
votes
6answers
4k views
Formal way to tell someone they accidentally sent you someone else’s email?
I have received an email from someone at work. He’s quite senior and probably would get quite angry to get an “accusing” message like:
I wasn’t supposed to get this email. It looks like you sent ...
2
votes
1answer
186 views
Expression “if and when something happens”
What is the level of formality in the expression “if and when” while referring to a possible happening? Googling “if and when X happen” gives me all sorts of entries, some formal some clearly ...
2
votes
3answers
204 views
What is the difference between “an essay on something” and “an essay in something”?
In most cases you write "an essay on something" but recently I came across some "essays in something"
Is there a difference in meaning? Is the "in" more formal?
1
vote
1answer
161 views
In what sense do we use “carry a torch for”? [closed]
In what sense do we use "carry a torch for"?
Can it be used as a formal, or is it informal?
1
vote
2answers
533 views
Is “a lot of” used generally in English, or is it colloquial?
I find a lot of people in Holland think 'a lot of' is too colloquial for use in academic work.
Is that the case?
2
votes
3answers
1k views
Is “I'm dead serious” formal?
In a movie I heard an actor saying "I'm dead serious". I looked up the dictionary and found that "dead" in this context means "really". Is it formal? Can we use it in business meetings?
0
votes
5answers
3k views
“By the way” in formal writing
Can I say "By the way" in an official document or professional meeting and other important/formal times?
I never saw any film which would include these words.
9
votes
4answers
592 views
When did the U.S. President become “Mr. X” instead of “President X”?
When I was much younger, I remember the press always referred to the U.S. president using the title of the office: "President Nixon" was followed by "President Ford" then "President Carter".
Now that ...
2
votes
3answers
636 views
What does “ain't” mean?
What does the contraction ain't mean? Is it appropriate to use it in formal settings?
2
votes
3answers
902 views
Is an ampersand formal?
I've noticed that there are many companies whose names contain an ampersand. A quick Google search for "& Sons, Inc", or something similar, should yield countless examples. Though it's not ...
3
votes
2answers
189 views
Is the “How to … ?” question phrase acceptable?
Is the following sentence acceptable in semi-formal or formal written speech?
How to adopt a lifestyle that consumes less?
Or ought it be rephrased? For example, to the following?
How do I ...
2
votes
2answers
747 views
Should we avoid using words that have alternate offensive meaning [closed]
There are many English words that could be used to refer to something innocent that also has a common slang meaning, such as pussy, ass, bitch, etc.
For convenience' sake, should we avoid using ...
16
votes
4answers
5k views
“you” versus “You” as polite form of writing
Is it correct to write "You" with a capital Y as a form of politeness?
If yes, should I use that form throughout the entire letter/document, or only at specific places?
4
votes
3answers
669 views
'Therefore' in an illogical logic sense
I have a co-worker that is always saying "Therefore, A B C" when the "A B C" isn't a conclusion from any sort of deductive reasoning. For example,
Me: ... thus, that's how it works.
Her: I ...
14
votes
4answers
7k views
What's the difference between “informal”, “colloquial”, “slang”, and “vulgar”?
It seems many people get confused about the differences (and similarities) between "colloquial" and "slang", so what exactly does each term apply to?
But to be even more thorough it seems to me we ...
1
vote
5answers
700 views
Casual writing to express that someone is thinking of something?
In casual writing we often use the colon to express that people are talking. Example:
Tom: hi
Mary: hi
I'm wondering what about if it is Tom thought of something instead of Tom talking? Like ...
2
votes
3answers
10k views
Is it appropriate to use 'eagerly' while ending a formal e-mail
Nowadays, I always use the below phrase when I am ending a formal e-mail;
I eagerly await for your response.
Regards,
I've seen this phrase somewhere, kind-of a formal e-mail and I am using ...
