When speaking or writing in a business context, it is very important to be aware of tone. Tone has to do with not the meaning of words but how they are said or written. For example, if you invited three close friends over to watch a football game, the language you might use with them would be very different than the language you might use if you met the Queen of England or a very well-known politician. The difference in the way you'd say things to the Queen and your friends is called tone.
Give me that pen. Stop talking and listen. Sit down right now. |
informal | formal |
really | very |
better | improved |
go | depart |
at first | initially |
lucky | fortunate |
empty | depleted |
ask | enquire |
next | following |
help | assistance |
need | require |
in the end | finally |
whole | entire |
wrong | incorrect |
chance | opportunity |
cheap | inexpensive |
not as good | inferior |
over and over again | repeatedly |
get | obtain |