The author and publisher would like to thank all the teachers in the United Kingdom and Italy who discussed this book in the early stages of its development. We are also grateful to John Algeo, Sharon Hilles and Thomas Lavelle for their contributions to the chapter on American English and to Rod Bolitho, Sheila Eastwood and Henry Widdowson for their help and advice. | PAGE 64 7 Spoken English and written English 52 Summary Grammar in speech and writing 53 There is normally more repetition in speech than in writing. In informal speech we often use expressions like Well. you know and sort of. Stress and intonation 54 The voice rises or falls on the new and important information. A rising intonation usually means that the speaker is unsure or that the conversation is incomplete. Weak forms and short forms 55 In informal English we often use weak forms or short forms of some words. For example have has a spoken weak form v and a written short form ve. Punctuation 56 There are some rules of punctuation such as how to punctuate correctly between two clauses. 53 Grammar in speech and writing 1 This is part of a real conversation between three people. STUCK ON THE UNDERGROUND Tom I had one appointment at nine o clock I had another one at ten o clock had another one at half past twelve another one at quarter pastfour and then I knew I had to be at Pathway at six o clock I reckoned. So I timed it - Sarah These appointments were in town Tom Yeah. So I timed it very carefully that I was going to leave at about ten past five - this was in er this was in central London. And I reckoned I d be at Hounslow Westjust before five to six and I djump into a taxi and be at Pathway just after six o clock. So I got on the Underground at Green Park at about ten pastfive no twentypastfive and erm we moved alongfairly well to Hyde Park Corner and then we moved along aboutfifty yards and we stopped. Simon Why was this Tom And we were therefor - well I m not quite sure I think there was a train stopped infront ofus and we were therefor - really for three quarters ofan hour. from M. Underwood Have you heard PAGE 65 53 Grammar in speech and writing a A speaker normally uses more words than a writer. For example Tom repeats some words. I had one appointment .I had another one. had another one. another one. In writing we might express the meaning like this. I .
