Standard English · Year 3
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).