How is language used differently in different situations? Standard and nonstandard English Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Words with

How is language used differently in different situations?

Standard and nonstandard English

Words confused or misused

Words with similar sounds

Words with related meanings

Formal and informal English

Review A

Review B

Understanding Usage


People don’t speak and write the exact same way all the time.

You probably speak to your friends in a different way than you speak to your teachers.

Your e-mails probably don’t look anything like your school essays.


The way you use English will usually depend upon your audience and your purpose.

Audience

To whom are you speaking or writing?

Purpose

Why are you speaking or writing?

The kind of English you are expected to use in school is called standard English.


Standard English is

• grammatically correct

• used in both formal and casual situations

Nonstandard English is suitable in casual speaking situations.


Nonstandard does not mean “wrong.” It means not appropriate in situations where standard English is expected, such as at school.

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Words confused or misusedWords with similar sounds

Learning standard English means learning to use words that are often confused or misused. This can be hard because there are many words that sound alike but mean different things.

It’s Its

Their There They’re

or

or or

Whose Who’s

or

??

?


Its/it’s

Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it.

It’s is the contraction of it is or it has.

The raccoon washed its face.

It’s been a good trip.

It’s a cloudy day.

it’s = it has

it’s = it is


It’s/its

My cousin has a pet bird. It’s a parrot, and its name is Bella.

it is

belonging to Bella


Their/there/they’re

Their is the possessive form of they.

There is used to mean “at that place” or to begin a sentence.

The children happily flew their kite.

There are five theaters in town.

We are going there soon. “at that place”

begins sentence



They’re is a contraction of they are.

They’re the two best players on our team.



They’re going to start their garden over there.

They are

at that place

belonging to them


Your/you’re

Your is the possessive form of you.

You’re is a contraction of you are.

Your Fourth of July picnic was great!

You’re a good friend.


You’re/your

If you’re planning to walk home, bring your boots.

you are

belonging to you


Whose/who’s

Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has.

Whose is the possessive form of who.

Who’s the new student?

Whose backpack is that?

Who’s been using the phone?

who’s = who is

who’s = who has


Whose/who’s

Who’s the woman whose home flooded?

who isbelonging to whom

Judy could of helped us rake.Judy could have helped us rake.

Do not write of after could, should, would, might, or must.


Could of/should of

Write could have, not could of.

Write should have, not should of.

We should of started earlier.We should have started earlier.

On Your Own

Some of the following sentences contain errors in the use of standard English. Find and correct each error. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.

1. Do you think its a good day for your hike?

2. Let me know when your ready to go.

3. Jamal should of shown up on time.

4. They’re leaving for their vacation tomorrow.

5. Who’s raincoat is lying there on the floor?

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Words confused or misusedWords with related meanings

Some pairs of words are confusing because their meanings are so close to each other.

Bring/take

Bring means “to come carrying something.”

Take means “to go carrying something.”

Please bring the lemonade to me.

Take those boxes when you go.


Fewer/less

Fewer is used with plural nouns.

Less is used with singular nouns.

Did you say that fewer plants grow here than there?

Desert plants require less water than most other plants.

plural noun

singular noun

Fewer tells “how many.” Less tells “how much.”

Good is an adjective and modifies a noun. Do not use good to modify a verb. Use the adverb well.

verb

noun


Good/well

Mimi is a good athlete.

She plays soccer well.

adj.

adverb

Verb Noun

Well is usually an adverb that means “ably,” but it is also used as an adjective to mean “healthy.”


Good/well

Kim feels well now.Kim danced well today.

adjective meaning “healthy”

adverb meaning “ably”

adj.adverb

On Your Own

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Some of the following sentences contain errors in the use of standard English. Find and correct each error. If a sentence is already correct, label it C.

1. Please eat less cookies and more vegetables.

2. The goalie played good at yesterday’s game.

3. Bring the paper with you when you go to Grandma’s house.

4. Go rest if you don’t feel well.

Informal English is correct language that is common in everyday communication, such as speaking or writing to a friend.


Formal English is language that is appropriate in serious speaking and writing situations.

Hello. How are you today?

Hey. How’s

it goin’?


Speeches at ceremonies

Serious papers, reports

Tests and exams

Everyday conversations

Personal letters, e-mails

Journal entries

Some newspaper or magazine writing

When is formal English

expected?

When is informal

English okay?

Sentences:

• Shorter and simpler

Word choice:

• Includes slang and contractions

Tone:

• Conversational, casual


Formal English Informal English

Sentences:

• Longer and more complex

Word choice:

• Precise, sometimes technical or scientific

Tone:

• More serious, dignified

How are formal and informal English different?

Many words and phrases that are fine in informal situations should be avoided in formal situations.

How come

In formal situations, use why.

How come geese migrate?

Why do geese migrate?


Informal

Formal

Kind of/sort of

In formal situations, use rather or somewhat.

The bread is kind of stale.

The bread is rather stale.


Informal

Formal

In formal situations, use try to.

Try and

I’ll try and answer all your questions.

I’ll try to answer all your questions.


Informal

Formal

On Your Own

Review each sentence. Change informal English to formal English. If the sentence is written with formal English, write F.

1. The story Jen wrote is kind of funny.

2. My dad wants me to try and clean my entire room in one afternoon.

3. This soup is rather spicy.

4. How come you were late for the game?

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Review A

For each sentence, choose the correct word in parentheses, according to formal, standard usage.

1. Cory danced (good/well) in the school musical.

2. I borrowed (fewer/less) books from the library this week than I did last week.

3. At the zoo we watched a snake shed (its/it’s) skin.

4. Jaime (should of/should have) talked to me about the problem.

5. Turn (your/you’re) test in when (your/you’re) finished.

Review B

[End of Section]

For each sentence, circle any incorrect or informal usage. Write C if a sentence is correct according to formal, standard usage.

1. This orange tastes kind of sour to me.

2. Mr. Romero accepted the award and gave a speech.

3. Don’t forget to take your helmet and knee pads with you to the skate park.

4. Please try and get here earlier next time.

5. Do you know how come there always late for school?

The End

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How is language used differently in different situations? Standard and nonstandard English Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Words with