一般人可能認(rèn)為美語比較隨意，較口語化。其實，在許多正式場合，美語也會“板起臉來”，一本正經(jīng)。
法官、律師、政府及大公司高官們在“筆談”時，用的往往就是這種“板起臉來”的美語。比如，某一活動的主辦者接到信詢問能否派更多人參加活動。主辦者完全可用以下幾句簡單的話把事情說清楚：
Dear Sir or Madam：
Thank you for your letter of September 30th, XXXX. In your letter you asked if more people could come to our activity. We'll check and let you know one way or the other.
然而，如果主辦者是個大單位，很可能回信就成了下面這樣：
Dear Sir or Madam：
This is to acknowledge that we are in receipt of your correspondence dated September 30th, XXXX. The request concerning the participation of additional attendees in your previous missive may require the oversight of our department concerned, which will notify you of its decision after examination of seat availability. Should capacity becomes an issue, your indulgence is most appreciated.
從第二封信可看出，在詞義和詞性的選擇上，作者都傾向于正式，甚至有些“裝腔作勢”。比如，就letter(信函)這么一個簡單的詞，就分別用了“correspondence”和“missive”等正式說法。另一特點是，正式文體多用名詞和被動語態(tài)。
正式文體的用途是，去掉不必要的感情色彩，表示鄭重其事。比如，你租房子給別人，住戶卻不付房租，你提醒了3次還毫無效果。你可以寫個便條說：You owe me rent and I asked you three times already. If you don't pay it, I will take you to court.
雖然意思表達(dá)清楚，但語氣像熟人間商量事情。倘若你板起臉來，寫下如下文字：
This is to inform you that, despite 3 reminders, no payment of rent has been made to date and if this situation continues, I will be left with no alternative but to start legal proceedings.
這位住戶怕是要認(rèn)真應(yīng)對了。
法官、律師、政府及大公司高官們在“筆談”時，用的往往就是這種“板起臉來”的美語。比如，某一活動的主辦者接到信詢問能否派更多人參加活動。主辦者完全可用以下幾句簡單的話把事情說清楚：
Dear Sir or Madam：
Thank you for your letter of September 30th, XXXX. In your letter you asked if more people could come to our activity. We'll check and let you know one way or the other.
然而，如果主辦者是個大單位，很可能回信就成了下面這樣：
Dear Sir or Madam：
This is to acknowledge that we are in receipt of your correspondence dated September 30th, XXXX. The request concerning the participation of additional attendees in your previous missive may require the oversight of our department concerned, which will notify you of its decision after examination of seat availability. Should capacity becomes an issue, your indulgence is most appreciated.
從第二封信可看出，在詞義和詞性的選擇上，作者都傾向于正式，甚至有些“裝腔作勢”。比如，就letter(信函)這么一個簡單的詞，就分別用了“correspondence”和“missive”等正式說法。另一特點是，正式文體多用名詞和被動語態(tài)。
正式文體的用途是，去掉不必要的感情色彩，表示鄭重其事。比如，你租房子給別人，住戶卻不付房租，你提醒了3次還毫無效果。你可以寫個便條說：You owe me rent and I asked you three times already. If you don't pay it, I will take you to court.
雖然意思表達(dá)清楚，但語氣像熟人間商量事情。倘若你板起臉來，寫下如下文字：
This is to inform you that, despite 3 reminders, no payment of rent has been made to date and if this situation continues, I will be left with no alternative but to start legal proceedings.
這位住戶怕是要認(rèn)真應(yīng)對了。