Cunningham Learning Module- Spoken Grammar, Idioms, and Slang: How is Conversation Different from Writing?

How is conversation
different from writing?
Created by Courtney Cunningham
EdD Curriculum and Instruction—Educational
Technology
University of South Carolina

Welcome!
You are attending a learning module about
spoken grammar, idioms, and slang.
What? A 20 minute learning module to help you learn
more about spoken grammar, idioms, and slang, so you
can better communicate in English.
Who? This module is for intermediate to advanced level
English language learners, who are able to have a
conversation in English. If you cannot have a conversation
in English, this module is not for you.
How? Use the navigation buttons to move through the
module. Learn new knowledge and test yourself.

Listen to the conversation.
Write down 3 things that you notice are
different about conversations and writing.
Click here to
listen.

What difference did you notice about conversations and writing?
You probably noticed more than three differences, as you listened to the girl’s
conversation.
In this learning module, you will learn about spoken grammar, and what makes
conversation different from writing. You will also learn about common idioms, and
when it is appropriate to use slang.
The learning module contains four sections. You will begin with learning about the
main registers in English followed by an overview of the characteristics of conversation,
and how they are different than writing. You will then learn some of the most common
idioms in English, and finally, how idioms and slang are different. After each section,
you will have an opportunity to test your knowledge.
Use the navigation buttons to move from one slide to the next, or to return to the
homepage.
After this learning module, you should know more about conversations in English, how
to understand them, and how to better participate in them.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this learning module you will be able to:
 identify the four main registers in English
 determine common features and
characteristics of English conversation
 interpret idiomatic expressions, and choose
which ones are appropriate to use in given
situations
 distinguish differences between idioms and
slang, and when it is appropriate to use each
You will feel more comfortable and confident
understanding and participating in conversations with
native English speakers.

 identify the four registers in EnglishFOUR MAIN REGISTERS IN ENGLISH
 The word register refers to different styles of speaking and writing.
 Different registers use language differently; they have different
grammar and other features.
Conversation Fiction
News Academic

FOUR MAIN REGISTERS IN ENGLISH
Characteristics of the Four Main Registers in
English
Conversation Fiction News Academic
Mode spoken written written written
Interactiveness and
real-time
production
yes Restricted to
fictional
dialogue
no no
Shared situation yes no no no
Main
communicative
purpose/content
Personal
communication
Pleasure
reading
information/
evaluation
argumentation/
explanation
Audience individual Wide-public Wide-public specialist
 identify the four registers in English
 Conversation, fiction, news, and academic are the four main
registers in English.
 Each register has different characteristics, which determine how
they use the language.

What are the four main
registers in English?
A
B
C
reading, writing, speaking,
and listening
television, radio, fiction,
conversation
conversation, fiction, news,
academic
D
conversation, news,
literature, pop-culture

A. Reading, writing, speaking, and
listening are the four main registers in
English.
THE CORRECT ANSWER IS…

CONVERSATION
Characteristics
 Takes place in a shared context
 Does not elaborate and is not specific
 Expresses feelings, attitudes, and
perspectives
 Takes place in real time
 Uses informal language
 Conversation uses language differently because of its
unique characteristics. Each characteristics makes for
different features and uses of the language.

CONVERSATION
Take place in a shared context
 High number of pronouns, low number of
nouns
 Includes lots of words that are dependent on
context e.g. this, that, those, these, there,
then, now, etc.
 Filled with fragments and incomplete
sentences
 Has a lot of inserts e.g. um, yeah, and like

CONVERSATION
Does not elaborate and is not specific
 Contains short phrases
 Replaces noun phrases with pronouns
 Has higher number of verbs, verb phrases,
and adverbs than written language
 Has twice as many negative constructions
than written registers
 Filled with phrases that require response
from someone

CONVERSATION
Expresses feelings, attitudes, and
perspectives
 Includes high number of modal verbs e.g. will, can, would,
could
 Used for polite and respectful purposes
 Requests
 Greetings
 Offers
 Apologies
 Displays attitudes.
 Endearments e.g. honey, sweetheart, dear
 Interjections e.g. ah! I see.
 Exclamations e.g. Hey! Sweet! Nice! Awesome!
 Stance adverbials e.g. really, actually, unfortunately

CONVERSATION
Takes place in real time
Involves pauses, hesitations, and repeats
 Uses reduced forms
Going to – gonna
Got to- gotta
Want to- wanna
Have to- hafta
Would you – wouldja
Could you - couldja
e.g. You’re gonna hafta wait a minute. I gotta run inside and grab
somethin’.
Couldja pass the salt?
What wouldja like to drink?

CONVERSATION
Informal language
Informal language
Contains contractions.
 Verb contractions
Most common: be, have, will, would
e.g. I’m, you’ve, he’ll, we’d
High number of negative forms or constructions
 Occur when “not” is reduced and attached
to the preceding primary verb
e.g. He isn’t coming to the party.
Contains slang and idioms

VERB CONTRACTIONS
Verb Contractions
Present tense Past
Tense
1st person
singular
2nd person
singular +
plurals
3rd person
singular
be
have
am - ‘m
have – ‘ve
are - ‘re
have – ‘ve
is - ‘s
has – ‘s
had – ‘d
modals will – ‘ll would – ‘d

NEGATIVE CONSTRUCTIONS
Verbs Negative Constructions
be isn’t, aren’t, wasn’t, weren’t
have haven’t, hasn’t, hadn’t
do don’t, doesn’t, didn’t
modal won’t (= will not), wouldn’t, can’t, couldn’t,
shouldn’t, mustn’t

T/F Conversation has a high
number of pronouns.
True
False

True!
Conversation has a high
number of pronouns.
THE CORRECT ANSWER
IS…

Speakers always say complete
sentences during conversation.
True
False

False!
Speakers do not always say
complete sentences during
conversations.

Conversation has higher number of
verbs, verbs phrases and adverbs
than writing.
True
False

True!
Conversation has a higher
number of verbs, verb
phrases and adverbs than
writing.

Conversation has twice as many
negative constructions as written
registers.
True
False

True!
Conversation has twice as
many negative construction
than written registers.

Conversation does not
commonly use modal verbs.
True
False

False!
Conversation commonly
uses modal verbs.

Gonna, wanna, hafta, couldja, and
wouldja are examples of reductions
in conversation.
True
False

True!
Gonna, wanna, hafta, couldja,
and wouldja are examples of
reductions in conversation.

Negative constructions happen
when not is reduced and attached
to the primary verb.
True
False

True!
Negative constructions
happen when not is reduced
and attached to the primary
verb.

The most common negative
constructions happen with the
verbs, be, have, and do, as well as
modals.
True
False

True!
The most common negative
constructions happen with the
verbs, be, have, and do, as well
as modals.

Idioms and slang are not
common in conversation.
True
False

False!
Idioms and slang are
common in
conversation.

IDIOMS  interpret idiomatic expression and
choose which ones are appropriate to
use in given situations
 An idiom is a phrase or series of
words in English that have a
meaning separate from the
meaning of the individual words.
 Idiomatic expressions are not
literal.
 Idioms are common in conversation.
 Not knowing and understanding idioms can make it difficult
to communicate.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Hit the books
Meaning: to study
 interpret idiomatic expression and
I’ve gotta hit the books. There’s a big exam coming up.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Hit the sack
Meaning: to go to bed
I’m really tired. I’m gonna hit the sack.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Sit tight
Meaning: to wait patiently
Sometimes you hafta sit tight, and wait your turn.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Pitch in
Meaning: to help
It’s important to pitch in, especially when helping the environment.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Ring a bell
Meaning: to hear something that reminds you
of something
I don’t remember that movie. Maybe, if you tell me some of the
actors that’ll ring a bell.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Under the weather
Meaning: to feel sick
I’ve been under the weather, and in bed all week.

IDIOMS
Idiomatic Expression: Keep your chin up
Meaning: to stay positive
I got discouraged at one point, but I told myself, “keep your chin
up, you can do this”, and I did it!

You are tired and tell your
friends you’re going to bed, so
you say…
A
B
C
I’m going to hit the books.
I feel under the weather.
I need to pitch in.
D I’m going to hit the sack.
Choose the best idiom to
use in the situation.

D.
“Hit the sack” means to
go to bed.

Your friend is having a bad day
and you want to cheer them up,
so you say…
A
B
C
Keep your chin up. It’ll be
okay.
Time to face the music.
You should pitch in with
the group project.
D I’m sorry you’re under the
weather.

A.
“Keep you chin up” means
to stay positive.

Your friends are going to the
movies, but you aren’t feeling
well, so you tell them…
A
B
C
I can’t go. I’ve got to face the
music.
I can’t go. I’ve got to hit the
books.
I can’t go. I’m under the
weather.
D I can’t go. I’ve got to sit
tight and wait for
something.

C.
“Under the weather” means
not feeling well.

You’ve got a big exam coming
up and need to study, but you’ve
been hanging out with friends
and having fun. You tell them…
A
B
C
I need help studying. Does
that ring a bell?
I’ve got to hit the books. There’s
a big exam coming up.
Sit tight. I have to study.
D
It’s time to face the music and
hit the books. I’ve got a big
exam coming up.

D.
“Face the music” means to deal
with reality and “hit the books”
means to study.

You and your friends are going
to a party. They are ready, but
you still have things to do. You
say…
A
B
C
I’m sorry. I have to hit the
books.
Sit tight guys. I’m almost ready.
It’s time to face the music.
D
I don’t want to go. I’m going to
hit the sack.

B.
“Sit tight” means to wait a few minutes
while someone does something.

SLANG VS. IDIOMS
 Slang refers to phrases that are very informal.
 Slang is most always used in speech vs. writing
 It is only appropriate to use within a specific context or with a
specific group of people.
 okay to use in speaking with close friends, classmates, and in
casual situations
X not okay to use in communication and emails with
professors, in academic writing, and/or for business purposes
 distinguish differences between idioms and
slang and when it is appropriate to use each
 Idioms are phrases or words whose meaning cannot be
predicted from the meanings of the individual words.
 Idioms are not literal.
 It is appropriate to use idioms within any context that the
idiom applies.
 Idioms and slang are different.
 You can use idioms speaking and writing with most anyone,
but slang is best to use only with friends.

Slang is almost always used in
speech vs. writing.
True
False

True!
Slang is almost
always used in
speech vs. writing.
Idioms and slang are not common in conversation.

Idioms are phrases that are not
literal and can be used in speech
and/or writing.
True
False

True!
Idioms are phrases that are
not literal and can be used in
speech and/or writing.

It is appropriate to use slang in
an email to a professor.
True
False

False!
It is not appropriate to
use slang in an email
to a professor.

It is okay to use slang when
talking with friends.
True
False

True!
It is okay to use slang
when talking with friends.

Listen to the conversation again.
How many characteristics and features of
conversation do you notice?
Click here to
listen.

GREAT JOB!
YOU HAVE FINISHED THE LEARNING MODULE.
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO TEST YOUR
KNOWLEDGE.
HTTPS://GOO.GL/FORMS/VI8MJ1UOHK7WNKBK2

REFERENCES
Biber, d., Conrad, S., Leech, G. (2002). Longman grammar of
spoken and written English.
Harlow, Essex, England. Pearson Education Limited.
English Learners: Biggest Source for Non-native English Learners.
(2017) Common Reduced Forms in American English.
Retrieved from http://english- learners.com/2009/10/common-
reduced-forms-in-american- english.html.
English idioms for sounding
like a native. Retrieved from
http://www.fluentu.com/blog/english/essential-english-
idioms/.
Morrison, G., Ross, S., Kalman, H. K., & Kemp, J. (2013). Designing
effective instruction (7th
ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Cunningham Learning Module- Spoken Grammar, Idioms, and Slang: How is Conversation Different from Writing?

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