There are two main types of language: formal and informal.
- Formal language is used in official papers, business environments, academic writing, official speeches, legal documents, and other official settings.
- Informal language is used in interactions with friends and family, and other informal settings.
When using informal speech, native speakers do not always follow the rules of grammar. Here are some examples.
1. Rule: "Do not end a sentence with a preposition."
- Formal: With whom should I study math?
- Informal: Who should I study math with?
Many people argue that ending a sentence with a preposition is wrong only if the preposition is redundant ("Where are you at?" vs "Where are you?").
2. Rule: "A sentence must express a complete thought"
A sentence must have a subject (noun) and a verb (action). In informal speech however, people often speak in sentence fragments - sentences that are missing something or that don't express a complete thought.
- Formal: I would never do something like that!
- Informal: I would never!
3. Rule: "Form complete questions"
In informal speech, people often form simplified questions.
- Formal: Did you really say that to Mark?
- Informal: You really said that to Mark?
4. Rule: "Never use two negative words in the same sentence."
To express a negative thought, we normally only negate one word in the sentence.
- Formal: That won't do you any good.
- Informal: That won't do you no good.
The first three examples are common among native speakers in most English-speaking countries. However, the fourth example, double negation, is only broken in certain dialects of English, such as African American Vernacular English and Southern American English.
