At C1 Advanced level, being able to write formally starts to increase in importance. Not only do successful candidates at C1 level have to understand formal grammatical structures, they also have to be able to write a greater variety of formal texts. One of the factors that can be challenging for users of English as a second language is the use of nouns in formal English.
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Using nouns in formal English
In formal English, especially written formal English, using more nouns and fewer verbs or adjectives helps to create a more formal style. This, combined with a careful choice of grammar and vocabulary, helps to maintain the correct register. Compare these examples.
- The company decided not to fund the project.
- The company’s decision was to not provide funding for the project.
- He was quite disappointed when he didn’t get the job he had applied for.
- His disappointment regarding the rejection of his application was clear.
Why do we use more nouns in formal English?
The English language has a very interesting and complex history. Its influences range from Viking to Anglo-Saxon to Latin (mostly via French). In fact, if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend checking out this video on the history of English from Open University’s Youtube channel.
The effect this variety of influences had on English is that there are often multiple ways of expressing the same idea. A word like knife (likely of Norse origin) can have synonyms such as blade (Germanic), dagger (Old French) or scalpel (Latin). These words can have subtle differences in meaning, but one interesting thing to note is that the Latin word is the one which is used for a more delicate purpose.
In a similar vein, words with Latin or French roots tend to be more academic and thus more formal in their usage. Compare split with separate, for example. In a relationship, you would likely use split (up), unless it were part of formal divorce proceedings. You might split the bill with a friend at a restaurant, but when discussing scientific processes, separate or its noun form, separation, would be the preferred terminology.
This is great news for those of you who teach in countries where they speak languages which are largely influenced by Latin (e.g. Italian, Spanish, French). A whole dictionary of formal words can be found by looking at cognates. However, if your students’ first language is not Latin based, they might have a bit more work ahead of them.
Nouns, and especially Latinate nouns, should be chosen over verbs and adjectives in a formal text because they create distance between the writer and the reader of the text. Adjectives are great for showing opinion in a text, but in formal writing, this is often not desirable. Verbs can show movement, action and help readers to visualise the content of a text. However, formal texts can come across as too direct or arrogant when verbs are given precedence. Obviously, there is still a place for these types of words in a formal text. The key is to not overuse them and to give formal sounding nouns their moment in the spotlight.
The Materials
With these materials, your students will have the chance to look at some examples of the difference between formal and informal English through the use of nouns. Following that, they will attempt to make a text formal by changing the ways nouns are used before finishing with a speaking activity in which they must deal with situations correctly based on their formality.
While these materials include some interactive activities, the purpose of this task should be to improve exam students’ writing skills. I would recommend using this prior to having your students write a report, proposal or formal letter.
EXAM PART: Writing
EXAM SKILLS: Use of correct register in formal texts
TOPIC: Work / Business
TIME: 30-40 minutes
PREPARATION: One copy of the worksheet per student.
