Formal and Informal Functional Language Dominoes

Formal and informal functional language dominoes

Without looking below, put all the cards that you are given into a big ring by joining phrases which have the same meaning/ the same function/ the same purpose.

Hint: The phrases should be in formal and informal pairs (in either order, so sometimes informal/ formal, and sometimes formal/ informal). Make sure that you have matched up the phrases that way, changing the matches if you have two formal ones together or two informal ones together.

Check your answers with a photocopy of worksheet. The card in the right-hand column has the same function as the card in the right-hand column of the next row. The very last card (bottom right) links with the very first one (top left).

Circle the more formal phrase in each pair.

Test each other on the language:

• Read out two phrases and see if your partner can repeat back the one which is more formal.
• Read out a phrase and see if your partner can identify if it is formal or informal.
• Read out a phrase and see if your partner can make another version which is more formal or which is less formal. Other phrases not below are fine as long as they have the same function but different formality. Help them with sentence starters, key words etc if they get stuck.

Play an actual game of dominoes with the cards, starting with seven cards each and taking more if you can’t match any of the cards you have with the ones which are on the table. Anyone with no cards left wins the game (even if the whole loop isn’t finished).

 

Cards to cut up/ Suggested answers

Don’t cut the cards along the middle between the two columns (so that they have two sides like dominoes).

Please find… (that you requested) attached.	How may I help you?
What can I do for you?	I look forward to seeing you then.
See you then.	Can you do me a favour and tell me…?
I would be grateful if you could inform me…	Is it okay for me to…?
Might it be possible for me to…?	I’m free… if that’s good for you.
I am available…, if it is convenient with you.	I look forward to hearing from you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.	Any more questions, just let me know.
If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.	Cheers.
Thank you in advance.	Good morning. … Corp …speaking. How may I help you?
Hello?	How’s it going?/ are things?/ ’s life?
I hope you are well.	Do you fancy… (with us)?
We would like to invite you to…	How are you getting on with…?
I was wondering about the progress of…	I reckon you should definitely…
My advice would probably be to…	Please accept our sincerest apologies.
Sorry about that.	Sorry, but…
We regret to inform you that…	Hi guys
To: All staff	Best wishes
Sincerely yours	(Make sure you) don’t…
Please ensure that you refrain from…	Dear Mr Case
Hi Alex	May I introduce my colleague…?
This is…	I’m…
Please allow me to introduce myself,…	I am very grateful for…
Thanks for…	I’m afraid I was not completely satisfied with…
… was totally unacceptable.	Here’s… (you asked for).

 

Brainstorming stage

Without looking above for now, brainstorm suitable phrases into the categories below, with a mix of different levels of formality if possible. Sometimes more than two phrases from the cards fit in one category below, and many other phrases not above are also suitable.

Answering the telephone

 

 

 

Email opening greeting (= the very first thing)

 

 

 

Introducing yourself

 

 

 

Social English/ Friendly phrases

 

 

 

Thanking

 

 

 

Offers

 

 

 

Requests

 

 

 

Enquiries/ Asking for information

 

 

 

Asking for permission

 

 

 

Making arrangements (fixing meetings, etc)

 

 

 

Invitations

 

 

 

Checking progress

 

 

 

Advice/ Recommendations/ Suggestions/ Feedback

 

 

 

Making complaints

 

 

 

Apologies

 

 

 

Giving bad news

 

 

 

Instructions/ Commands/ Demanding action

 

 

 

Talking about documents (attachments etc)

 

 

 

Introducing other people

 

 

 

Email closing greeting (= the thing just before the writer’s name at the bottom)

 

 

 

Mentioning future contact

 

 

 

Look at the cards to check your answers, starting with mixed up cards again. Then brainstorm more, e.g. ones with medium formality. You will get one point for each correct phrase which isn’t on the cards and which no other team got. Even small changes are fine.