Language registers

Language registers: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.

Duration: 25 minPrerequisites: homophones-quand-quant-quenPass mark: 80%

1. Objective

By the end, you will recognise and use “Language registers” correctly.

2. Discover

Look at the six examples for “Language registers”. Before reading the rule, notice what changes and what stays stable.

3. Understand

Register depends on the situation, the relationship between speakers and the medium. The same message can be informal, neutral or formal. The aim is not to rank registers but to choose the appropriate one.

« Je ne sais pas » est neutre ; « J’sais pas » est familier.« Nous vous prions de répondre » appartient à un registre formel.« Tu peux me filer un coup de main ? » est familier.« Pourriez-vous me transmettre le document ? » est soutenu ou formel.« On se retrouve à huit heures » convient à une conversation courante.« Veuillez trouver ci-joint le formulaire » appartient à l’écrit administratif.

Watch out

Look at the word together with the words around it. The correct choice often depends on construction, register or collocation, not just translation.

4. Guided practice

5. Independent practice

6. Write / speak

Write three sentences from your own life using the target structure. Change the people, place or time rather than copying the models.