Kinds of English Used For Different Purposes - Report

There are two different kinds of English that used for different purposes. There are some expressions which are used only in speech, and others are only in writing. The English expressions which are used in speech are called Colloquial English, and the others which are used in writing are called Literary English.

What is Colloquial English? When we are speaking, we sometimes use expressions which are different in writing. One of the most familiar examples is the practice of shortening certain expressions, like don't, won't, I'll (I will or I shall), he's (he is), etc. These expressions are common in speech. But in writing, they are usually avoided, unless the writer is writing a letter to his friend. Besides, in Colloquial English we often say something that incorrect, like “Who did you see?” when it is spoken, but if we are writing it we must replace “who” to “whom”, because it is the object of “see” and must use the object form.

What is Literary English? The word “literary” has a meaning “belonging to writing”. Literary English is more careful than Colloquial English. Because when everything is written down, it is a permanent record which everyone can see and check. And the writer should be careful about grammatically correct. And he should make his sentences effective and understandable. Sometimes, Literary English is also used in speech such as for special occasions. For example in giving official speeches or welcoming some important persons. But if it is used in ordinary conversation it may sound foolish. Like, “the person with whom I was conversing” is normal literary English, but in normal speech we would say something more simple “the man I was talking to”. And there are some words such as thee, thou, etc. are used in writing especially in poetry.

These both kinds of English can be learned in our school or college. However, they are important for us. Because when we use English, we should know what the purpose is.