Informal British English – A Quick Guide

These assumptions are both wrong. They’re based on a stereotype of the British as being stiff and upright. People think that the Brits say ‘how do you do?’ when meeting, and answer the phone with a phrase like ‘Mayfair 2579.’

I’ve also been told (by non-British people) that at four o’clock in the afternoon we all stop what we’re doing to drink tea. You might even have read a language book that tells you so. However, if such stereotypes were true once, they’re not any more. If you come to the UK, you’ll notice how informal the culture is.

Of course, if you’re using Medical English in a professional situation, you’ll use formal or neutral language to phrase your questions and advice. That’s especially true if you want to pass the OET exam. But don’t be surprised if your patients respond in a very informal way.

Informal English isn’t often taught, but it’s important to understand and recognise. What follows is a brief guide to informal English, matched to the regular phrasing you will already have learned.

The phrases on the left are more neutral than formal, but you can use them in a Medical English situation. Use the words on the left when you’re at work. And if someone uses a word on the right, use this guide to work out what they mean.