Question

Work in pairs. Look at messages 1-4 and answer the questions. 1 What do you think the relationship is between the writer and the person they're writing to?
2 Are the messages formal or informal?

1)Leyla
Gone to the dentist. Be back at 4p.m.
Jen

2)Pete
Please call Tricia on 07679 437 562 asap
Lucy

3)Hope you enjoyed the concert.
Dinner's in the oven.
FX

4)Can you pick us up from football tonight?
See you later
Ben + Max

Answer 1

1) Based on the messages, it is difficult to determine the exact relationship between the writer and the person they are writing to. However, we can infer that they are friends or acquaintances based on the informal tone of the messages.

2) Let's analyze each message to determine whether they are formal or informal:

- Message 1: "Gone to the dentist. Be back at 4p.m." This message is informal as it uses casual language and does not include any formal greetings or sign-offs.

- Message 2: "Please call Tricia on 07679 437 562 asap." This message is more formal compared to the first one, as it includes the word "please" and uses a more professional tone. However, it is still not excessively formal.

- Message 3: "Hope you enjoyed the concert. Dinner's in the oven. FX." This message is informal as it uses casual language and abbreviations.

- Message 4: "Can you pick us up from football tonight? See you later. Ben + Max." This message is informal as it uses casual language, includes abbreviations, and does not use any formal greetings or sign-offs.

Therefore, the messages in general are informal in nature.