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Results tagged with formality
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user 3036
This tag is for questions about formal (versus informal) words and usage. The question must identify a particular concern about the formality of the word or phrase at issue, and specify the target context or audience.
22
votes
Accepted
What's the difference between "informal", "colloquial", "slang", and "vulgar"?
There are various degrees of (in)formality: it is usually not a yes–no distinction. … So this is about different languages, not merely different registers or levels of formality. …
5
votes
Accepted
Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction
Coördinating conjunctions, such as and, or and but, can be used to begin a new sentence. This was already widely accepted in Fowler's time, and probably always. There is nothing wrong with the conjunc …
- 4,183
35
votes
Accepted
Is "misconfigured" a word?
Mis- is a productive prefix, so I see no reason why it should not be allowed to form new verbs, unless used instead of a better word if such exists. The OED agrees:
As now apprehended, the prefix
…
24
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Does America have its Versions of U- and Non-U English?
In Britain and most of Europe, some form of U-speak exists: old-money language has certain features that distinguish it from other language. In Dutch, it doesn't really have a name, but it is still ve …
- 1,486
8
votes
Usage of "is when"
There are two questions you could ask: 1. is this acceptable?, and 2. if not, why not?
It is fine in casual writing, but it may not be appropriate in formal writing; it sounds a bit too informal for …
11
votes
Accepted
Is using "and/or" recommended for formal writing, or is it frowned upon?
I believe most style books advise against using and/or in formal writing. By "formal" I mean in newspapers or novels. If space is extremely limited, most writers would have no qualms about it, as in d …
2
votes
Accepted
"TV": is it formal or informal?
It is somewhat more informal than television, but not very much so; while I'd certainly prefer television in most written texts, I'd not be shocked at reading TV either, perhaps not even in a scientif …
7
votes
Accepted
Is using "have" better than using "got" in the following sentence?
"Have" is correct and can be only one thing: I possess/hold/etc. the file.
"Got" can be two things:
I've got the file: has the same meaning as "I have the file", but is somewhat informal; if you le …
14
votes
Were contractions less common in olden days?
[Edited]
What is contraction?
In all languages I know, there is a general tendency to contract existing words in speech. I will comment on contraction in writing later.
The cause of contraction in …
60
votes
Did English ever have a formal version of "you"?
It seems Middle English developed the distinction between formal (you) and informal (thou) versions: this distinction did not exist in Old English. The formal pronoun you was originally a plural form …