Introduction:
This task is to help you to understand informal English names. On this page: an
explanation, examples,
how to use these names, and a
practice exercise.
Explanation
In English, and in many other languages, people's given names (not family names)
have two forms: a formal form and an informal form. The informal form is usually
shorter, to make it more convenient. It is also sometimes called a diminutive
or short form.
Examples
Mostly these diminutives start with the same letters as the formal name. Here
are some examples:
Formal name | - | Diminutive | Formal name | - | Diminutive | Formal name | - | Diminutive | ||
Andrew | - | Andy | Edward | - | Ed / Eddy | Patricia / Patrick | - | Pat | ||
Alan | - | Al | Elizabeth | - | Eliza / Liz / Beth | Peter | - | Pete | ||
Alexander | - | Al / Alec / Alex / Sandy | Frederick | - | Fred / Freddy | Richard | - | Dick / Ricky | ||
Alfred | - | Al / Fred | Geoffrey | - | Geoff (pron. "Jeff") | Robert | - | Bob / Bert | ||
Benjamin | - | Ben / Benny | Harold | - | Harry | Samantha / Samuel | - | Sam | ||
Caroline | - | Carol | James | - | Jim / Jimmy | Susan | - | Sue / Susie | ||
Catherine | - | Cath / Cathy | Jennifer | - | Jenny / Jennie | Terrence | - | Terry | ||
Christopher | - | Chris | Kenneth | - | Ken / Kenny | Timothy | - | Tim | ||
David | - | Dave / Davy | Michael | - | Mike, Mick, Mickey | Victoria | - | Vicky | ||
Daniel | - | Dan / Danny | Nicholas | - | Nick / Nicky | Victor | - | Vic | ||
Diana | - | Di | Pamela | - | Pam | William | - | Bill |
You can use the short form of a person's name when:
Do not use diminutives in formal or legal situations, unless the person is using the short form themselves.
Use the full name when warning or criticising a child; e.g. "Alexander Edward Smith, I told you not to do that!"
Do not use a diminutive that someone doesn't like, for example, if someone calls themselves 'Liz', do not call them 'Eliza' or 'Beth'.
Related materials: a list of other names and the related gender.
Here is a practice exercise to help you to remember some of these diminutives. Some of the answers are in the list above, the others you can work out for yourself.
Instructions:
Match the items in the boxes on the left with the items on the right:
hits since 2 February 2005 .
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If you have any suggestions or questions, please e-mail us at elc.cill@polyu.edu.hk .