Page 158 - Basic English Usage
P. 158
211 158
a First name.
This is informal. We use first names mostly to talk about friends and
children.
Where's Peter? He said he’d be here at three.
How's Maud getting on at school?
b First name + surname.
This can be formal or informal.
isn't that Peter Connolly, the actor?
We're going on holiday with Mary and Daniel Sinclair.
Cc Title (Mr, Mrs etc) + surname.
This is more formal. We talk like this about people we do not know, or
when we want to show respect or be polite.
Can | speak to Mr Lewis, please?
We've got a new teacher called Mrs Campbell.
Ask Miss Andrews to come in, please.
Dear Ms Sanders, ...
d Surname only.
We often use just the surname to talk about public figures — politicians,
sportsmen and sportswomen, writers and so on.
| dont think Eliot :s a very good dramatist.
The womens marathon was won by Waitz.
We sometimes use surnames alone for employees (especially male
employees), and for members of all-male groups (for example
footballers, soldiers, schoolboys).
Tell Patterson to come and see me at once.
Let's put Billows in goal and move Carter up.
2 = Talking to people
When we talk to people, we can name them in two ways.
a First name.
This is usually friendly and informal.
Hello, Pamela. How are you?
