Writing Lab Conversational English: Slang, Colloquialisms, Clichés, ETC. Conversational English Conversational English is bad English for academic and professional writing. Conversational English usually consists of the following: Slang
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Conversational English Conversational English is “bad English” for academic and professional writing. Conversational English usually consists of the following:
Slang
Colloquialisms
Clichés<br>
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Slang Slang is a style of language characteristic of given localities, age groups, time periods, and cultural and social groups.
Slang may be used effectively in informal and formal speech and writing, as long as the slang expression is set off in quotation marks to indicate the usage is intentionally informal.<br>
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Examples of Slang Here are some common slang expressions that may or may not still be in use:
a drag (uninteresting)
pigging out (eating)
chill out (relax)
ratted out (told, divulged)
fed up (tired of)<br>
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Colloquialisms A colloquialism is an expression that is chiefly spoken- it is the vernacular; that is, its usage should be reserved for very informal spoken occasions, not for writing.
Colloquialisms are generally the language of everyday speech.<br>
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Examples of Colloquialisms Anyways (anyway)
A bunch of people (a number of people)
We have a deal (We have an agreement)
Fixing to leave (preparing to leave)
Kid, kids (child, children)
Okay, o.k., ok (all right)
Pretty good (very good)<br>
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Cliché Clichés are once colorful expressions that have become trite, worn-out, and overworked through overuse.
A cliché shows no originality on the part of the writer or speaker. Clichés cause the reader to anticipate the writer’s words:
Last but …, for instance, used in a list to introduce the last item, automatically suggests last but not least.<br>
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Examples of Clichés Tip of the iceberg
Crystal clear
Been there, done that
A method to this madness
All in all
Easier said than done
Ripe old age
Cool as a cucumber
After all is said and done
Believe it or not<br>
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That’s all, folks! This lesson is part of the UWF Writing Lab Grammar Mini-Lesson Series
Lessons adapted from Real Good Grammar, Too by Mamie Webb Hixon
To find out more, visit the Writing Lab’s website where you can take a self-scoring quiz corresponding to this lesson<br>
