Register Use in English

Introduction
In discussions at work, with friends, strangers, etc. there are unwritten rules that are followed when
speaking English. These unwritten rules are called "register use". Register use can help you
communicate effectively. Incorrect register use can cause problems at work, cause people to ignore
you, or, at best, send the wrong message. Of course, correct register use is very difficult for many
learners of English. This feature focuses on different situations and the correct register used in the
various situations. To begin with, lets look at some e!ample conversations.
Some examples of correct register use:
(Wife to Husband)
" #i honey, how was your day$
" %reat. &e got a lot done. 'nd yours$
" (ine, but stressful. )ass me that maga*ine, please.
" #ere you go.
(Friend to Friend)
" #i +harlie, can you give me a hand$
" ,ure )eter. &hats up$
" I cant get this to work.
" &hy dont you try to use a screwdriver$
(Subordinate to Superior - at work)
" %ood -orning, -r. .ones, may I ask you a /uestion$
" +ertainly, how can I help you$
(Superior to Subordinate - at work)
" E!cuse me )eter, we seem to be having a problem with the ,mith account. &ed better get together
to discuss the situation.
" Thats a good idea -s 'mons, would 0 oclock suit you$
(Man Speaking to Stranger)
" )ardon me. 1o you think you could give me the time$
" +ertainly, its twelve thirty.
" Thank you.
" 2ot at all.
2otice how the language used becomes more formal as the relationship becomes less personal. In
the first relationship, a married couple, the wife uses the imperative form which would be
inappropriate with a superior at work. In the last conversation, the man asks using an indirect
/uestion as a means of making his /uestion more polite.
Some examples of incorrect register use:
(Wife to Husband)
" #ello, how are you today$
" Im fine. &ould you mind passing me the bread$
" +ertainly. &ould you like some butter with your bread$
" 3es, please. Thank you very much.
(Friend to Friend)
" #ello -r. .ones. -ay I ask you a /uestion$
" +ertainly. #ow many I help you$
" 1o you think you could help me with this$
" Id be happy to help you.
(Subordinate to Superior - at work)
" %ood -orning, (rank. I need a raise.
" 1o you really$ &ell, forget about it4
(Superior to Subordinate - at work)
" #ey .ack, what are you doing$4 %et to work4
" #ey, Ill take as much time as I need.
(Man Speaking to Stranger)
" 3ou4 Tell me where supermarket is.
" There.
In these e!amples, the formal language used for the married couple and friends is much too
e!aggerated for daily discourse. The e!amples at work, and of the man speaking to a stranger, show
that the direct language often used with friends or family, is too impolite for these situations.
Of course, correct register use also depends on the situation and the tone of voice you use. #owever,
in order to communicate well in English, it is important to master the basics of correct register use.
Introduction to Vertical Register Usage
#ere is an overview of registers with specific e!amples for specific occasions.
REGISTER - Definition: Type of language used when speaking to others
VERTIC! REGISTER - Definition: Language used varying in degrees of forality
"#RI$#%T! REGISTER - Definition: !argon" slang" et#$ used in #ouni#ating with your
friends" #olleagues" et#$
&ractice Register Use
'ui( )
Identify the correct register
'. +olleagues
5. ,taff to -anagement
+. -anagement to ,taff
1. Inappropriate for the &orkplace
6. Im afraid were having some problems with your performance. I would like to see you in my office this
afternoon.
7. &hat did you do last weekend$
8. #ey, get over here now4
0. E!cuse me, do you think it would be possible for me to go home early this afternoon$ I have a doctors
appointment.
9. &ell, we went to this wonderful restaurant in 3elm. The food was e!cellent and the prices were
reasonable.
:. ;isten, Im going home early, so I cant finish the pro<ect until tomorrow.
=. E!cuse me 5ob, would you mind lending me >6? for lunch. Im short today.
@. %ive me five bucks for lunch. I forgot to go to the bank.
A. 3ou are an e!tremely handsome young man, Im sure youll do well at our company.
6?. E!cuse me -s 5rown, could you help me with this report for a moment$
*********************************************************************************
'ui( +
+hoose best statement for the situation
6. %opany dire#tor to eployee
a. #ey, get over here.
b. -s. 5rown, could you come here for
a moment$
c. .ane, I need to talk to you.
7. &ne #olleague to another
a. E!cuse me, do you think you could
possibly give me a hand$
b. E!cuse me, could you give me a
hand$
c. %ive me a hand.
8. Stranger to a an in the street
a. +ould you possible tell me the time$
b. The time, please.
c. #ello there, how are you$
0. Waiter to #ustoer
a. &hat do you want$
b. &hat would you like today$
c. 1o you think you could possibly tell
me what you would like to eat
today$
9. 'ployee to departent anager
a. -r. 5rown, could I have a word with
you this afternoon$
b. (rank, I need to talk to you.
c. -r. 5rown, do you think it would be
possible for me to speak with you
this afternoon$
:. Husband to wife
a. #ow do you do$
b. &hats up$
c. E!cuse me dear, I was wondering
how you were feeling.
=. Tea#her to student
a. 1o e!ercise 6, now4
b. )lease do e!ercise 6.
c. &ould you mind doing e!ercise 6$
@. (rother to sister
a. #urry up4
b. )ardon me, can you please get
ready$
c. ,hall we go my dear$
A. %opany dire#tor to eployee
a. -s ,mith, you look fantastic today4
b. .ane, you are a knock out4
c. #ow are you today -s ,mith$
6?. %ustoer to re#eptionist
a. %ive me my bill.
b. The bill, please
c. I was wondering if I could trouble
you for the bill.