How to Teach Non-standard English Commonly Misused Words 2
Commonly Misused Words
Non-standard English Commonly Misused Words
Play the quick video lesson HERE and click the upper left back arrow to return to this lesson.
Common Core Language Standard 1
We speak differently in different social situations. Hopefully, you talk to your mom and teacher differently than the way you talk to your friends. Most of us text differently than the way we write an essay. After all, beginning an essay with “BTW some so reb ldrs thot they really would win the civil war LOL” will probably not impress your history teacher. Students definitely need to learn the fine art of “code switching.” To code switch means to consider your audience and adjust what you say or write and how you do so. Using non-standard English in the wrong setting, such as in the classroom, is important to recognize and avoid.
Today’s grammar and usage lesson is on Non-standard English Commonly Misused Words. Remember that Non-standard English often differs from Standard English because of regional or cultural dialects. Often we are used to hearing and saying words or expressions that are not Standard English. Now let’s read the mechanics lesson and study the examples.
Following are commonly misused words:
- Additions: We should say anyway, not anyways. We should say toward, not towards.
- Deletions: We should say used to, not use to. We should say nothing, not nothin’. something, not somethin’, and anything, not anythin’. Example: I used to play guitar.
- Misused Phrases: We should say I couldn’t care less, not I could care less. We should say once in a while, not once and a while. We should say any more, not no more. We should say could have, not could of. And no would of, should of, might of.
Now circle or highlight what is right and revise what is wrong according to grammar and usage lesson.
Practice: I could care less if you put somethin’ towards the balance of the loan. That amount doesn’t matter much anyways.
Let’s check the Practice Answers.
Grammar and Usage Practice Answers: I couldn’t care less if you put something toward the balance of the loan. That amount doesn’t matter much anyway.
Now let’s apply what we have learned.
Writing Application: Write your own sentence using a commonly misused phrase.
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