EXAM TITLE: What are the differences between Written English and
(a) Spoken Prose (b) Conversation?
Written English
It is first necessary to define what sort of Written English. Semi-formal
Written English is in one sense less and in another sense more redundant
than the spoken forms of the language.
Repetitions and duplications are usually avoided to a greater extent than in
conversation, though a semi-formal style may still render some examples.
Intonation contours, stress patterns, junctures (transition and boundary
features) and tone of voice are absent in Written English. But spelling, word
boundaries and punctuation are present.
Spoken Prose
Spoken prose may consist of a speech, a sermon, a taped report or a radio
broadcast scripted in advance and in the form of a monologue. It may be
read or recited almost anywhere, but the speaker may equally be within
visual contact of an audience.
It is not created spontaneously in the same way as Conversation is born, but
the speaker may nevertheless make conscious or incidental use of
expressive features such as tone of voice, gesture and facial expression.
Conversation
Because of its spontaneous creation, Conversation can be related more
closely to the extra-lingual context and the responses of the listeners.
Speakers may be prompted to vary the speed of speech within segments, to
lengthen pauses and to repeat words or add modifications according to the
apparent degree of comprehension or momentary inattention on the part of
listeners.
Conversation usually involves more than one party actively taking part and
having the possibility to interrupt. It therefore tends to be more intimate and
more personally relevant than other spoken forms.
Applying the criteria set out by Joos in "The Five Clocks", the description of
"casual style" and "consultative style" help to illustrate some of the
characteristics of Conversation in the most likely contexts in which it can
occur.
When the dialogue involves family or close friends (usually "casual style"),
little or no information is given which is not known to the participants. Wellknown formulae are used with great frequency.
When the conversation involves strangers (usually "consultative" style) all
necessary background information is supplied and more elaborate politeness
procedures are added to the well-known formulae for requests, questions,
orders, suggestions and acknowl
In such situations where there is a large information gap and a need to be
explicit through the language, a rarer but more formal style of language may
be witnessed, bridging the gap between certain aspects of Conversation and
Spoken Prose.
2., 3., & 4: EVENT VERBS I.e. verbs used to refer to events. There are three main uses
of the Present Perfect with event verbs, as follows:
2.[a] INDEFINITE PAST At least once before now. The indefinite meaning is commonly
reinforced by EVER, NEVER, BEFORE (NOW), ALWAYS and other adverbials. The
number of events is commonly unspecified. The time is unspecified.
2.[b] RECENT INDEFINITE PAST At least once in a period leading up to the present.
Associated with adverbs such as JUST, ALREADY, RECENTLY and YET.
4. RESULTATIVE PAST Used in reference to a past event to imply that the result of the
event is still operative at the present time. No adverbial support is needed.
Special attention must be paid to certain verbs which refer to the states of HAVING and
BEING since the Present Perfect Simple must be used (not the Continuous). BE,
BELONG TO, CONTAIN, CONSIST OF, COST, DEPEND ON, DESERVE, HAVE,
MATTER, OWN, RESEMBLE.
1. The Present Perfect is used with "State Verbs". Verbs normally used to refer to "states" include
BE, LIVE, BELONG, LAST, LIKE, STAND, KNOW, HAVE and CONTAIN.
"state" is undifferentiated and lacking in defined limits: e.g. How long have you lived in
Brighton? I've lived in Brighton for two years / since 1977.
Here, as in most examples of the Present Perfect Tense applied to states, an adverbial is present
and there is no suggestion that the statement may not be true of the future as well as being true of
the period lasting up to the present moment.
2. Verbs normally used to refer to "events" include: JUMP,GET, PUT, LAND, BEGIN, FIND,
HIT, FALL, GO. An "event" has a beginning and an end; it may be part of a sequence of events
or happenings, so it can therefore be viewed as a whole entity.
2.[a] "I have never eaten frogs legs, drunk port or got married." 2. [b] He has just fallen over. 3.
She has claimed Social Security for the last five years. 4. We've finished our work.
2.[a] The question HAVE YOU EVER.? Occurs frequently in conversation, in discussion about
past experiences
2.[b] is frequent in conversation where short-term memory plays a fundamental part. The
actuality of JUST & ALREADY explains why this use of the Present Perfect is especially
common in news bulletins, letters and reports & summaries used in everyday conver
Mrs T. has just arrived in Moscow. She's already met 2 of the country's leading dissidents. Dear
Lola, I've just received your card from Barcelona.
In news bulletins, Past Simple & Past Perfect are used with much more frequency than Present
Perfect. The Indefinite Past does not tell you exactly when. (at six o'clock this morning / three
hours ago .. Incompatible with Present Perfect).
Present Perfect used in criticism: The Gov't has doubled prices, lengthened dole queues.
Connection with the present - what is wrong now. Also achievements.
3. Habit in a period leading up to the present - an adverbial of duration is usually required.
"She has claimed SS as long as I can remember". Without the adverbial of duration the example
would suggest the indefinite past.
The extra addition of an adverbial of frequency is often witnessed: "My typewriter has been
serviced every year since I bought it."
I've already finished it (as early as now) / I was already very tired (as early as then).
Other adverbials which combine with both tenses are: TODAY, THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR,
THIS CENTURY, THIS MORNING, TONIGHT, THIS MARCH, THIS CHRISTMAS,
RECENTLY, JUST (chiefly in the affirmative), LATELY & LATTERLY.
A common worry among Advanced level students is differentiation of Present Perfect Simple &
Present Perfect Continuous tenses. Note the temporary nature of the situations which the
Continuous is used to describe. Temporariness and possible non-completion.
Note that only the Present Perfect Simple (not the Continuous tense) is used with verbs
describing states of "having" and "being".