Standard English

Standard English is the form of English used in formal writing, exams, the news and when speaking to people you don't know. Many people speak local dialects that are just as rich, with their own grammar: ⟦we was⟧, ⟦I done it⟧. In formal situations we switch to Standard English: ⟦we were⟧, ⟦I did it⟧.

Key facts

  • ⟦was⟧ / ⟦were⟧: ⟦I was⟧, ⟦he was⟧, but ⟦we were⟧, ⟦you were⟧, ⟦they were⟧.
  • Past forms: ⟦I did⟧ or ⟦I have done⟧ (not ⟦I done⟧); ⟦I saw⟧ or ⟦I have seen⟧ (not ⟦I seen⟧); ⟦she sang⟧, ⟦he came⟧.
  • ⟦should have⟧, ⟦could have⟧, ⟦would have⟧: it sounds like ⟦of⟧, but it is ⟦have⟧.
  • One negative, not two: ⟦I didn't do anything⟧ (not ⟦I didn't do nothing⟧). ⟦ain't⟧ becomes ⟦am not⟧, ⟦isn't⟧ or ⟦haven't⟧.
  • ⟦those books⟧ (not ⟦them books⟧); ⟦himself⟧, ⟦themselves⟧; ⟦Sam and I went⟧ (not ⟦Me and Sam went⟧); ⟦he doesn't⟧ (not ⟦he don't⟧).

Worked examples

Example 1

Write in Standard English: ⟦We was late.⟧

  1. With ⟦we⟧, Standard English uses ⟦were⟧.
  2. ⟦We were late.⟧

Answer: ⟦We were late.⟧

Example 2

Write in Standard English: ⟦I should of known.⟧

  1. ⟦should of⟧ is how ⟦should've⟧ sounds.
  2. Write ⟦have⟧: ⟦I should have known.⟧

Answer: ⟦I should have known.⟧

Example 3

Which word is not Standard English? ⟦He hurt hisself.⟧

  1. The Standard English form is ⟦himself⟧.
  2. ⟦He hurt himself.⟧

Answer: ⟦hisself⟧