English grammar
One message, three registers: I hereby inform you · I've decided to leave · I'm jacking it in
Say the same thing formally, neutrally and colloquially, and pick the register that fits the reader.
From the scene I hereby…
In short
Match the words to the reader: set formulas in a formal letter, plain words for your boss, slang only with friends.
Your turn
Which one goes with formal: the notice period?
Options: I hereby inform you · I've decided to leave · I shall work my fifteen days' notice
Show answer
formal: the notice period → I shall work my fifteen days' notice
How it works
The same news needs different words for different readers. A formal letter uses set phrases: I hereby inform you, I shall work my notice.
Good to know
Neutral English says it plainly: I've decided to leave.
Good to know
With friends in Britain you may hear I'm jacking it in or I'm out of here, which would be badly out of place in a letter.
formal: announcing I hereby inform you
Nuria
"I hereby inform you of my decision to resign from my post."
"Por la presente le comunico mi decisión de causar baja voluntaria en la empresa."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank) of my decision to resign from my post."
Options: I've decided to leave · I hereby inform you · I shall work my fifteen days' notice
Show answer
Nuria
"I hereby inform you of my decision to resign from my post."
"Por la presente le comunico mi decisión de causar baja voluntaria en la empresa."
formal: the notice period I shall work my fifteen days' notice
Nuria
"I shall work my fifteen days' notice."
"Respetaré el preaviso de quince días."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"(blank)."
Options: I've decided to leave · I shall work my fifteen days' notice · I hereby inform you
Show answer
Nuria
"I shall work my fifteen days' notice."
"Respetaré el preaviso de quince días."
neutral I've decided to leave
Nuria
Something more normal: "I've decided to leave. Thanks for everything."
Algo más normal: "He decidido dejar el trabajo. Gracias por todo."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Something more normal: "(blank). Thanks for everything."
Options: I hereby inform you · I shall work my fifteen days' notice · I've decided to leave
Show answer
Nuria
Something more normal: "I've decided to leave. Thanks for everything."
Algo más normal: "He decidido dejar el trabajo. Gracias por todo."
colloquial, British: quitting I'm jacking it in
Nuria
"Girls, I'm jacking it in! I'm out of that office!"
"¡Chicas, dejo el curro! ¡Me largo de la oficina!"
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"Girls, (blank)! I'm out of that office!"
Options: I'm jacking it in · I hereby inform you · I shall work my fifteen days' notice
Show answer
Nuria
"Girls, I'm jacking it in! I'm out of that office!"
"¡Chicas, dejo el curro! ¡Me largo de la oficina!"
colloquial: leaving I'm out of here
Nuria
"I hereby inform you that I'm out of here too."
"Por la presente le comunico que yo también me largo."
Your turn
What fills the gap?
"I hereby inform you that (blank) too."
Options: I'm out of here · I shall work my fifteen days' notice · I've decided to leave
Show answer
Nuria
"I hereby inform you that I'm out of here too."
"Por la presente le comunico que yo también me largo."
Common mistake
Not say or explain here. A formal letter to Human Resources.
"I hereby inform you of my decision to resign from my post."
"Por la presente le comunico mi decisión de causar baja voluntaria en la empresa."
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| formal: announcing | I hereby inform you |
|---|---|
| formal: the notice period | I shall work my fifteen days' notice |
| neutral | I've decided to leave |
| colloquial, British: quitting | I'm jacking it in |
| colloquial: leaving | I'm out of here |
More lines from the story
- NuriaJavi, listen to my resignation letter. It's for Human Resources.Javi, escucha mi carta de renuncia. Es para Recursos Humanos.