Week 16
WRITING CONVENTIONS
refers to the formally and informally agreed-upon ways we use language, whether spoken
or written
some conventions may be grammatical, but others depend largely on how language is
used by groups with higher social standing
conventions change over time; for example, the word "ain't" used to be an acceptable
contraction for "is not" or "are not." The function of "ain't" is arguably grammatical (that is,
sentences containing the word can be diagrammed without difficulty), but not socially
acceptable.
“rules" of language as parallel construction, not ending a sentence with a preposition, or
splitting an infinitive are conventions that have arisen out of social usage
conventions are important because their correct application may, in the eyes of many,
indicate a level of education
STYLE AND REGISTER
style not only concerns register but looks at the way the words, sentences and paragraphs
are put together
a particular author may have a preferred style
style also concerns the correct or conventional use of language eg. is ending sentences
with prepositions using a correct/appropriate style of English for the purpose intended
register is concerned more with specific language choices, that is, whether vocabulary and
grammar is ‘formal’ or ‘informal’
Exercise 1
Complete the quiz below by choosing the best answer.
1. Choose the most likely version.
A No! Don’t do that! C No! Don’t do that?
B No! Dont do that. D No! Dont do that!
2. The frightened pilot’s face was pale as he carefully lowered the plane onto the
Smith’s private _______ that time was running out for his sick friend.
A runway: he knew C runway. He knew
B runway, he knew D runway but he knew
3. Choose the best answer.
A I plan to graduate from Heartland High School in Selma, California.
B I plan to graduate from heartland high school in Selma, California.
C I plan to graduate from Heartland high school in Selma, California.
D I plan to graduate from heartland High School in Selma, California.
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4. Choose the correctly written sentence.
A A book I would recommend is Monster it is exciting and is a true story.
B A book I would recommend is Monster; it is exciting and is a true story.
C A book I would recommend is Monster, it is exciting and is a true story.
D A book I would recommend is Monster. it is exciting and is a true story.
5. Choose the correct form of: their / there / they’re
A It’s true that their always late. C It’s true that they’re always late.
B It’s true that there always late.
6. ________ going to be late if they don’t hurry.
A They’re C There
B Their D They’ll
7. Sandy told the secret to Sara and __________.
A I B me
8. Choose the correct sentence:
A I go to High School in New York. C I go to central High School in L.A.
B I go to high school in New York. D I go to Central high school in L.A.
9. Choose the correct written sentence.
A Patrick, a senior, has completed all of his work.
B Patrick a senior has completed all of his work.
C Patrick a senior, has completed all of his work.
D Patrick, a senior, has completed all of his work
10. Choose the correctly written sentence.
A Together they all shouted, “Look out!”
B Together they all shouted, “look out!”
C Together they all shouted “Look out!”
D Together they all shouted, “Look out.”
Exercise 2
Complete the statements below by transforming the given informal to formal register.
1. Come on one of our holidays where you can do your own cooking.
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a camping holiday where you can ................ for
yourself.
2. Don't delay! Thousands of competion prizes are up for grabs!
Thousands of prizes are .............. to anyone who enters the competition before
the closing date.
3. When my boss spilt coffee down his new suit I just couldn't keep a straight face.
It was difficult not to ................. when my boss spilt coffee down his new suit.
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4. Because of falling profits the company may have to lay people off.
The company has reported a sharp decrease in its profits. ................... a number
of employees may lose their jobs.
Exercise 3
Complete the following statements by changing the formal to informal registers.
1. The approximate number of club members is 30.
There are ................ 30 club members.
2. The decision is still under consideration.
They haven't made ................. up yet.
3. It is a requirement that all employees of the company undergo a medical
examination prior to starting their employment.
You ................. have a check-up before you start work.
4. Reports show that there is still evidence of inequality between men and women in
the workplace.
A report says that men and women are not treated .............. at work.
Exercise 4
Underline the correct verb in these sentences.
1. Sally (run, runs) to the park every day.
2. The dogs (bark, barks) at strangers.
3. Ted and Mary (is, are) going to the movies.
4. The game (was, were) exciting.
5. They (worry, worries) too much.
6. She (study, studies) every night.
7. Black and white (is, are) your choice.
8. That (was, were) incredible.
9. Those (is, are) pretty shoes.
10. The cat or dog (is, are) in the yard.
11. The girl or her sisters (watch, watches) television every day.
12. Rob (doesn’t, don’t) like sports.
13. His classmates (study, studies) before a test.
14. One of the cookies (is, are) missing.
15. A lady with 10 cats (live, lives) in that big house.
16. Mumps (is, are) very serious.
17. The committee (decide, decides) when to adjourn.
18. Our team (is, are) the best.
19. Everybody (enjoy, enjoys) a good song.
20. Either (is, are) suitable.
Exercise 5
Put a C if the sentence is correct, an X if it is not correct.
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1. They have been waiting a long time.
2. The pen or the pencil are lost.
3. Someone don’t understand.
4. Those has been cheaper in the past.
5. Randy and Juan like sports.
6. These are really special.
7. You rides with me.
8. All of them goes to school.
9. Tony likes Mary.
10. That movie was awesome.
11. Cats and dogs love to run.
12. He don’t like chocolate.
13. Her friends or Sarah excel at volleyball.
14. Each of these have been ruined.
15. Trousers are baggy now.
16. The students, as well as the teacher, are nervous about the test.
17. The news are on at 10.
18. My family are a lot of fun.
19. Mathematics is hard for many.
20. The director, with all the cast members, works very hard.
21. The last questions on the test were very difficult.
22. John, as well as his younger brothers, is going to study at that school.
23. People from the South is very friendly.
24. Everyone need to be loved.
25. Part of the money goes to charity.
26. Statistics hasn't been revised as a course approach far too long.
27. You and I am supposed to clean the room before Mom gets home.
28. Either the President or the Vice has signed the document.
29. No news are good news.
30. Be careful. Grandma's scissors are very sharp.
31. Neither of the statements is false.
32. The policeman hasn't made any arrests lately.
33. The photograph of the boys is clear.
34. The man, together with his children, were given seats first.
35. Either Ali or the boys is to go to the supermarket to get something for mum.
36. Janice, my neighbour, is my best friend.
