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Formal and Informal Register Exercise

Introduction:
This task shows you examples of formal and informal sentences and allows you to
compare them. To make a sentence more formal you can:
o Use 'There' as a subject; e.g. 'There is a serious risk of...'
o Use 'It' as a subject; e.g. 'It is impossible to...'
o Use 'One' as a subject; e.g. 'One may ask whether...' ('One' is a formal version
of 'You' [plural] in general)
o Use the passive voice; e.g. 'Many things can be done in order to...'
Instructions:
Match the formal phrases in the boxes on the right with the informal phrases on the
left:
Informal Formal
1 Everybody must Daily life is influenced by...
2 In our daily lives we experience the
influence of
Goods can be ordered directly from...
3 We simply/just order goods from It is essential/crucial/vital that all
parties...

4 Let us consider Goods cannot be seen or touched...
5 Its high time we all did the right
thing.
Downloading songs infringes on the
interests of their authors.

6 We cant see and touch the goods. It is important to consider...
7 When we download songs we
cheat their authors of income.
The current situation requires action
from all citizens...

8 We, Chinese, do things our own
way.
Personally, I favour...
9 I love/ I like/ I prefer There is a serious risk of fraud...
10 We face a huge danger of being
cheated..
Chinese people tend to do things in a
certain way.

11 You may ask Students learn in different ways...
12 Students have their own styles of
learning..
Many things can be done/are possible...
13 We can do many things One may ask