Language Variations and Common Mistakes

1. Understanding Usage • 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

2. How is language used differently in different situations? 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.

3. How is language used differently in different situations? 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?

4. Standard and nonstandard English 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

5. Standard and nonstandard English 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. [End of Section]

6. Words confused or misused Words 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. ? or Its It’s ? or or They’re Their There ? or Whose Who’s

7. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Its/it’s Its is the possessive form of the pronoun it. The raccoon washed its face. It’s is the contraction of it is or it has. It’s a cloudy day. it’s = it is it’s = it has It’s been a good trip.

8. it is belonging to Bella Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds It’s/its My cousin has a pet bird. It’s a parrot, and its name is Bella.

9. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Their/there/they’re Their is the possessive form of they. The children happily flew their kite. There is used to mean “at that place” or to begin a sentence. We are going there soon. “at that place” There are five theaters in town. begins sentence

10. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Their/there/they’re They’re is a contraction of they are. They’re the two best players on our team.

11. belonging to them They are at that place Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Their/there/they’re They’regoing to starttheirgarden overthere.

12. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Your/you’re Your is the possessive form of you. Your Fourth of July picnic was great! You’re is a contraction of you are. You’re a good friend.

13. you are belonging to you Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds You’re/your If you’re planning to walk home, bring your boots.

14. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Whose/who’s Whose is the possessive form of who. Whose backpack is that? Who’s is a contraction of who is or who has. who’s = who is Who’s the new student? who’s = who has Who’s been using the phone?

15. belonging to whom who is Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Whose/who’s Who’s the woman whose home flooded?

16. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds Could of/should of Do not write of after could,should, would, might, or must. Write could have, not could of. Judy could have helped us rake. Judy could of helped us rake. Write should have, not should of. We should have started earlier. We should of started earlier.

17. Words confused or misused Words with similar sounds 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. • Do you think its a good day for your hike? • Let me know when your ready to go. • Jamal should of shown up on time. • They’re leaving for their vacation tomorrow. • 5. Who’s raincoat is lying there on the floor? [End of Section]

18. Words confused or misused Words 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.” Please bring the lemonade to me. Take means “to go carrying something.” Take those boxes when you go.

19. Words confused or misused Words with related meanings Fewer/less Fewer is used with plural nouns. Did you say that fewer plants grow here than there? plural noun Less is used with singular nouns. Desert plants require less water than most other plants. singular noun Fewer tells “how many.” Less tells “how much.”

20. Words confused or misused Words with related meanings Good/well Good is an adjective and modifies a noun. Do not use good to modify a verb. Use the adverb well. adj. Mimi is a good athlete. noun adverb She plays soccer well. verb

21. Words confused or misused Words with related meanings Good/well Well is usually an adverb that means “ably,” but it is also used as an adjective to mean “healthy.” adj. adverb Kim danced well today. Kim feels well now. Verb Noun adjective meaning “healthy” adverb meaning “ably”

22. Words confused or misused Words with related meanings 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. 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. [End of Section]

23. Formal and informal English Formal English is language that is appropriate in serious speaking and writing situations. Hello. How are you today? Informal English is correct language that is common in everyday communication, such as speaking or writing to a friend. Hey. How’s it goin’?

24. Formal and informal English Speeches at ceremonies When is formal English expected? Serious papers, reports Tests and exams Everyday conversations When is informal English okay? Personal letters, e-mails Journal entries Some newspaper or magazine writing

25. Formal and informal English Formal English Informal English How are formal and informal English different? • Sentences: • Shorter and simpler • Word choice: • Includes slang and contractions • Tone: • Conversational, casual • Sentences: • Longer and more complex • Word choice: • Precise, sometimes technical or scientific • Tone: • More serious, dignified

26. Formal and informal English Many words and phrases that are fine in informal situations should be avoided in formal situations. How come In formal situations, use why. Informal How come geese migrate? Formal Why do geese migrate?

27. Formal and informal English Kind of/sort of In formal situations, use rather or somewhat. Informal The bread is kind of stale. Formal The bread is rather stale.

28. Formal and informal English Try and In formal situations, use try to. Informal I’ll try and answer all your questions. Formal I’ll try to answer all your questions.

29. Formal and informal English On Your Own • Review each sentence. Change informal English to formal English. If the sentence is written with formal English, write F. • The story Jen wrote is kind of funny. • 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? [End of Section]

30. 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. [End of Section]

31. Review B • For each sentence, circle any incorrect or informal usage. Write C if a sentence is correct according to formal, standard usage. • This orange tastes kind of sour to me. • Mr. Romero accepted the award and gave a speech. • Don’t forget to take your helmet and knee pads with you to the skate park. • Please try and get here earlier next time. • Do you know how come there always late for school? [End of Section]

32. The End