casual

Question

What does 'casual' mean here? since It has very many meanings.

Progressive forms sound more casual and less definite than simple forms, becuas they suggest something temporary and incomplete.

What time are you planning to arrive? (more casual-sounding than Please let us know what time you plan to arrive.)

Deadrat · Accepted Answer

It means less formal.

Contraposition · Answer

Then, is it wise to avoid that kind of progressive tense in a formal situation or in a formal writing?

Deadrat · Answer

Perhaps I was remiss on giving the meaning of the word "casual" and not commenting on the usefulness of the advice. I find no basis for the assertion that progressive verb forms make speech or writing less formal. Temporary or incomplete actions are independent of the formality of the situations in which they occur. The more formal the occasion, the harder you should strive for accuracy and clarity because you're probably dealing with people you don't know and in the case of the written word, you can't get immediate feedback. If you're talking with your friends, and they don't understand you, they'll just ask what you're talking about. This opportunity isn't available during your audience with the Queen or when a prospective employer reads your resume.

The less-casual sounding tone of "Please let us know what time you plan to arrive" arises from the use of "Please" as the introduction to a polite imperative "let us" (i.e., permit us), and not from the choice of "you plan" over "you are planning."

Which of the following do find more casual?

Get off my foot!
You're standing on my foot.

The important thing is your ongoing and (you hope) temporary discomfort, no matter how casual you are in expressing such.

casual

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions