Whether you are writing a text message, an email, an essay, a report, a description or any other kind of text, you have to think about the register. The register refers to the style of the language: your choice of words and grammar structures. We usually talk about 5 types of registers: static, consultative, intimate, casual (informal), and formal. As a learner and a user of a foreign language, you should be able to identify these registers. Additionally, you should be able to produce language (spoken and written) in informal and formal register.


In formal texts, you should:

- use passive verbs (The contract has been signed already.) and avoid "get + past participle" structures, use passive instead ("I got informed that there was a fire in town." Rather use: "I was informed that there was a fire in town")

- stay away from personal pronouns (I, you, etc.)

- avoid adding personal opinions (In my opinion, To my mind, I think, etc.)

- stay away from phrasal verbs (such as take on, look into, bring about, etc.)

- write out full forms of the verbs (I cannot, you should not, he will not, etc.)

- avoid using rounded numbers (about 7%) - use precise numbers (6.88%)

- stay away from subjective adjectives (great, awesome, disgusting, etc.)


Technical (process descriptions, manuals, etc.) and business texts (job applications, most work emails and letters, etc.) are generally written in formal register.


Zuletzt geändert: Samstag, 30. Januar 2021, 15:23