Standard vs non-standard English

Recognising and choosing standard English forms in formal writing

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
Which sentence is in Standard English? A) We were waiting for the bus. B) We was waiting for the bus. C) We were waitin' for the bus. D) Us was waiting for the bus.
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2
Rewrite in Standard English: 'I done my homework.' Change 'done' to ___. I ___ my homework.
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3
Which is the Standard English form? A) They were walking home. B) They was walking home. C) Them was walking home. D) They walking home.
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4
Which is STANDARD English? A) I done my homework. B) I did my homework. C) I done done it. D) I doed it.
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5
Rewrite in Standard English: 'I ain't got no money.' Fill the blank: I have ___ money. I have ___ money.
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6
Which sentence uses Standard English? A) I saw him yesterday. B) I seen him yesterday. C) I seed him yesterday. D) I sawed him yesterday.
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7
Standard English form: We ___ at the cinema last night. We ___ at the cinema last night.
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8
Rewrite in Standard English: 'She ain't coming.' She ___ coming. She ___ coming.
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9
Which sentence is in Standard English? A) I haven't done anything wrong. B) I haven't done nothing wrong. C) I ain't done nothing wrong. D) I never done nothing wrong.
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10
Standard English form: Those books ___ mine. Those books ___ mine.
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Answer key

Standard vs non-standard English · for parents and teachers

1
We were waiting for the bus.
Standard English: 'we were'. Non-standard regional forms may use 'we was' but this is not formal English.
2
did
The past tense of 'do' is 'did'. 'Done' is the past participle, used with 'have' (I have done).
3
They were walking home.
Standard English uses 'were' with 'we', 'you' and 'they'.
4
I did my homework.
Standard: 'I did my homework.'
5
no
'Ain't' is non-standard. Standard English: 'I have no money' (single negative, no double negative).
6
I saw him yesterday.
Standard English: 'saw' (past tense). 'Seen' is the past participle, used with 'have' (I have seen).
7
were
Standard English uses 'were' with 'we', 'you' and 'they'.
8
isn't
'Ain't' is non-standard. With 'she', use 'isn't' (is not) in Standard English.
9
I haven't done anything wrong.
Standard English uses a single negative: 'haven't done anything'. Double negatives like 'haven't done nothing' are non-standard.
10
are
Standard English: plural subjects take 'are', not 'is'. 'Books' is plural, so 'are' is correct.