Standard English in speech and writing

English · Grammar & Punctuation · ages 11-13

Name ______________________ Date ____________

A formal job application should normally use text shortcuts such as 'u' and 'ur' instead of full words.
Circle one: True False
A friend sends the text message 'u ok? fancy a game later'. What kind of communication is this?
- Formal spoken communication
- Informal written communication
- Informal spoken communication
For the meaning 'I am unable to see any objects', which sentence uses Standard English?
- I can't see nothing clearly without my glasses.
- I can't see none at all without my glasses.
- I can't see anything without my glasses.
Which feature often makes a friendly conversation less formal than a written report?
- Using a full sentence to state an idea
- Using contractions and slang with friends
- Matching a subject to the verb beside it
'Because the bus was late.' is a complete sentence ready to stand alone in a formal report.
Circle one: True False
For the meaning 'I did no task', 'I didn't do nothing' is the usual Standard English wording.
Circle one: True False
Why is Standard English commonly expected in school essays, news reports and job applications?
- It is the only variety of English with any grammar rules at all.
- It makes every reader understand every sentence without difficulty.
- It provides shared conventions expected in these formal tasks.
Rewrite 'we was disappointed because we didn't get no tickets' in Standard English. The intended meaning is that no tickets were received.
- We were disappointed because we did not get any tickets.
- We was disappointed because we did not receive any tickets.
- We were disappointed because we did not receive no tickets.
Which formal rewrite keeps the meaning of 'We're chuffed with the results', where 'chuffed' means very pleased?
- We are very pleased with the results.
- We are very disappointed with the results.
- We is very pleased with the results today.
An editor says 'I and Tom will help' cannot use Standard English because 'I' comes first. Which reply is accurate?
- The editor is right: Standard grammar puts every name before a pronoun.
- Both orders use the subject pronoun I; name-first order is a courtesy.
- The editor is right: Put 'me' after Tom whenever another person is named.

Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Standard English in speech and writing W1-mt_S2fP8rUwrl-s1

False · A formal job application normally calls for full words, complete sentences and a polite greeting and closing.
Informal written communication · A text message is written. Its shortcuts and casual wording make this example informal.
I can't see anything without my glasses. · 'Can't' already supplies a negative. For the stated meaning, use 'anything' rather than adding 'nothing' or 'none'.
Using contractions and slang with friends · Contractions and slang are common in friendly conversation. Contractions can still use Standard English grammar.
False · The words give a reason but omit the main event. Add it: 'Because the bus was late, we missed assembly.'
False · For this meaning, Standard English usually uses 'I didn't do anything' or 'I did nothing'. The intended meaning matters when checking negatives.
It provides shared conventions expected in these formal tasks. · These tasks commonly expect widely taught Standard English conventions. Other varieties have rules, and no variety guarantees that every reader understands everything.
We were disappointed because we did not get any tickets. · Use 'were' with 'we'. For the stated meaning, use one negative: 'did not get any tickets'.
We are very pleased with the results. · 'We are very pleased with the results' keeps the stated meaning and uses formal wording. The original contraction is not a grammar error.
Both orders use the subject pronoun I; name-first order is a courtesy. · Both 'I and Tom' and 'Tom and I' use the subject form 'I'. Putting the other person first is a courtesy convention, not a grammar requirement.