Which of the following is a characteristic of informal language?

a conversational tone

no contractions

a serious tone

standard English

a conversational tone

The characteristic of informal language is a conversational tone.

To determine which of the following is a characteristic of informal language, let's break down each option and consider their characteristics:

1. A conversational tone: Informal language often has a conversational tone since it mimics the way people speak in everyday conversations. It is less formal and may include slang or colloquial expressions.

2. No contractions: Contractions, such as "don't" instead of "do not," are typically more common in informal language since they reflect the casual nature of conversation.

3. A serious tone: Informal language generally leans towards a lighter and more relaxed tone. It may include humor, sarcasm, or playfulness, as opposed to a serious and formal tone.

4. Standard English: Informal language tends to deviate from the strict adherence to standard English grammar rules. It may contain grammatical errors, incomplete sentences, or other informal speech patterns.

Based on these explanations, the characteristic that aligns with informal language is "a conversational tone." Informal language reflects the way people speak in everyday interactions and adopts a more relaxed and less formal tone.