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That's my new jumper. My mum gave it to me.

Standard English

Standard English is clear, accurate English used in exams and formal writing. Learn how audience and purpose guide choices in grammar, vocabulary, and tone.

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Fascinating Fact:

Best test for Standard English is fitness for audience and purpose. If a reader understands first time, your choices worked.

In GCSE English, Standard English refers to widely accepted grammar, spelling, and punctuation used for formal contexts. You will learn to match register to audience and purpose and to choose forms that make meaning precise and respectful in essays, speeches, and exam responses.

Key Terms

Standard English: The widely accepted form of English used in formal writing and most exams.
Register: The level of formality chosen to suit the audience and purpose of a text.
Non-standard English: Varieties that differ from Standard English, such as regional dialect or slang, suitable in the right context.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is Standard English in GCSE?

Standard English is the accepted form of English used in formal contexts. It includes correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation suitable for exam answers and academic writing.

Is slang always wrong in GCSE English?

Slang is not always wrong. Use it only when the audience and purpose demand an informal voice, such as creative dialogue. Formal tasks should use Standard English.

How do I choose the right register for my audience?

Decide who will read or hear your text and why you are writing. Then select vocabulary and sentence structures that are clear, respectful, and fit that situation.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

He don't want to watch no more t.v. - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

It has an example of double negation

The subject and verb do not agree

The subject and verb do not agree and there is an example of double negation

This sentence is in standard English

In standard English, 'he don't' would be 'he doesn't'; 'don't want no...' is an example of double negation

2 .

Are yous coming with us? - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

It has an example of double negation

The word order is non-standard

The pronoun has a plural ending

The sentence is in standard English

'Are you coming with us?' would be standard English

3 .

I'm going to see me aunt. - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

Another pronoun has been substituted for the possessive pronoun

It includes an abbreviation

The subject and verb do not agree

This sentence is in standard English

'I'm going to see my aunt' would be standard English

4 .

He were down the shops when I phoned him. - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

The subject and verb do not agree

The choice of preposition is non-standard

The choice of preposition is non-standard and the subject and verb do not agree

This sentence is in standard English

In standard English, 'he were' would be 'he was' and 'down' would be 'at'

5 .

If I were retired, I would sail around the world. - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

The subject and verb do not agree

A non-standard pronoun has been used

It includes an example of multiple negation

The sentence is in standard English

'If I were' is an example of a subjunctive. Although it is often replaced by 'if I was' in spoken English, 'if I were' is standard. You have probably heard the phrase 'if I were you...' - this is another, easily remembered, example of the subjunctive

6 .

Where is she at? - Why is this sentence NOT standard English?

It has a non-standard choice of preposition

It has an additional, unnecessary preposition

The pronoun has a plural ending

This sentence is in standard English

The 'at' is redundant (unnecessary). 'Where is she?' would be standard English

7 .

In which of these sentences has an adjective been used in place of an adverb?

Her manager told her to be quick because he wanted to go home

Her manager told her to clear up quickly

He had a reputation for firing slow workers

She cleared up and went out the door quick

The adjective 'quick' has been used in place of the adverb 'quickly' - this is a common feature of non-standard English

8 .

Which of these displays a non-standard use of comparative adjectives?

You are more tired than I am

I am faster than he is

He is more cleverer than me

We are earlier than everyone else

'More clever' would be standard English

9 .

Which of these is also evident in the answer to question eight?

Non-standard choice of pronoun

Double negation

Non-standard choice of preposition

The pronoun has a plural ending

Standard English would be: 'He is more clever than I.' You can easily tell that this is standard by adding the implied verb - He is more clever than I am - Keeping the word 'me' would sound like this: 'He is more clever than me is', which is obviously non-standard English

10 .

Which of these is a non-standard example of leaving out a preposition?

We saw each other last week

That's my new jumper. My mum gave it me

She made me coffee this morning

I went to bed early last night

Each of these examples omits a preposition, but only the second is considered non-standard English. Standard English would be 'my mum gave it to me'

Author: Sheri Smith (PhD English Literature, English Teacher & Quiz Writer)