What is Standard English and Non-Standard English?
Standard English is the form of English that is taught around the world and understood by all speakers of the language.
It uses correct grammatical rules and can be thought of as the formal, official, or polite way of speaking or writing.
Non-standard English is the informal version of the language, which can change depending on where it is being spoken.
It contains lots of slang (very informal versions of standard words), which can be particular to a certain area or group of people, so may not be used or understood by everyone.
Watch: The difference between Standard and Non-Standard English
Watch this video in which teacher Mr Smith explains more about the difference between standard and non-standard English and how we use them in our day-to-day lives. Have a go at answering Mr Smith's questions as you watch!
What's the difference between standard and non-standard English? Watch this Teacher Talk to find out more.
Hello or…
A-up.
I'm Mr Smith and today we're going to practise how to use standard and non-standard English.
Hyah.
Hey.
You good?
Good mornin'.
Mate.
Hello.
These greetings all convey a similar message: Hello.
However, some of these phrases include standard English and others non-standard English.
When we say standard English, we're talking about the English uniformed language, which is taught around the world.
It follows the grammatical rules and the correct use of verb tenses or pronouns, and is used in formal settings such as writing a letterto the Queen or reporting the news.
Because it follows the core grammatical rules of English, it can be understood by a wide audience.
For example: "NASA scientists have discovered a new cluster of galaxies."
On the other hand, we use non-standard English often in informal settings like with our friends or families.
Non-standard English generally follows most of the grammatical rules as standard English, but may also include slang and words particular to where we live.
For example: "We went NASA last year – them scientists are ace."
So, when we speak or write, we need to consider our audience and identify if it's a formal situation or an informal situation, and whether we should use standard or non-standard English.
Let's take a closer look.
Coming up are a list of places and people you're likely to talk or write to.
I'd like you to divide them up into formal and informal situations.
Ask yourself: do you know the person or are they in a position of authority?
Ready?
Excellent.
There's actually only one example of an informal setting here – and that's chatting with your friend about a film.
The other three examples are all formal situations, so would therefore require you to use standard English.
OK, next up – believe it or not – Barack Obama, former president of the United States of America, is coming to dinner.
The question is whether he'd like peas or beans with his meal.
Should we use standard English to ask him or non-standard English?
Is it a formal or informal situation?
And therefore, which sentence do you think is most appropriate?
That's right.
We should use standard English and ask:
"Mr Obama, would you prefer peas or beans with your meat?"
The former president might be a familiar face to us and we may also be in our own home.
However, most of us don't know him personally.
So, we should use formal language and standard English.
Next up, can you turn a sentence using non-standard English into a sentence using standard English?
Let's do it.
"They was really noisy in the hall and the teacher weren't happy."
You may say this sentence to your friends.
But if you were to write this, it's really important to write in standard English.
In order to transform this sentence into one using standard English, we need to swap out two words.
Which words are they?
That's right – "was" and "weren't".
Which words should we use instead to transform this sentence from using non-standard English to standard English?
Let's take a look now.
Using standard English the sentence will now read:
"They were really noisy in the hall and the teacher wasn't happy."
Did you suggest them too?
Awesome.
So, "well done" – standard English.
And "nice one, guys" – non-standard English.
You're now an expert linguist.
Why not write a poem next?
One draft in standard English and the other in non-standard English.
For more help, challenges and games on this subject, visit bbc.co.uk/bitesize
Using Standard and Non-Standard English
Standard English is used in formal settings, for example when we talk or write to people we don’t know well, such as doctors or head teachers. We do this to show them respect or to make a good impression.
We use non-standard English in informal settings, when we are more relaxed and with people we know well, such as family or friends.
Look at the table below to see two versions of the same message in standard and non-standard English, and compare the different features they have.
| Standard English | Non-standard English |
|---|---|
| "Good morning. How are you? I'm pleased to meet you." | "Hey! Alright?" |
| Formal language, correct grammar and full sentences | Very informal language, less use of grammar and not full sentences |
Top tip!
Think about the different people you might speak to during the week.
How do you behave when you're around them?
Does this affect how you speak and the words you use?
Watch: Formal and informal language
We all use a mixture of formal and informal language in our daily lives and often swap between the two without realising it!
Watch this next video to learn more about using formal and informal language for different settings, and how they affect how we talk to other people.
When should we use formal and informal language? Watch this video to learn how to get the right tone in how you speak.
We need to change how we speak depending on the situation and who we're speaking to.
When we don't know people very well, we need to use more formal language.
Receptionist:"Helen Thompson? Doctor Campbell is still with another patient. She’ll be with you as soon as she possibly can."
I'm a patient here and we don’t know each other, so the receptionist talks to me in a formal way.
Me:"Thank you. I appreciate you letting me know."
And I need to respond in a similar manner.
But with people you know well, you can be more informal.
[PHONE RINGS]My best friend.
Friend:"Where are you? I’m sitting here all on my own! Are we still on for lunch?"
This gives me the go-ahead to be more informal. Chatty.
And the language I use to apologise can be more informal too.
Me:"Yeah, soz, I’m stuck at the doctor’s."
Receptionist:"Helen Thompson?"
Me:"I’ll see you tomorrow, right?""I’d rather see you now.""Sorry.""Please, follow me."
Using different forms of English in writing
Different forms of English are used in writing too.
We often use standard, formal English in things like school work or writing letters.
When writing things like text messages, emails, postcards or letters to friends and family, we are much more likely to use non-standard, informal English.
Look at the table below to see some of the main differences between formal and informal writing.
| Features of standard English in writing | Features of non-standard English in writing |
|---|---|
| Formal or polite style or tone | Informal or friendly tone |
| Standard grammar | Mostly standard grammar but some variations |
| Longer words and phrases | Simpler words and phrases |
| Fewer contracted words, like you're and we'd | Lots of contracted words |
| No slang | Lots of slang |
| Fewer abbreviations | Lots of abbreviations, like asap (as soon as possible) or gonna (going to) |
Activity 1
You need to decide which of the words are written in standard, formal English and which are written in non-standard, informal English.
Click on the activity to begin and then select 'formal' or 'informal' as you work through.
Activity 2
Test what you have learned so far on standard and non-standard English with this quiz!
Click 'Start' to open the quiz.
Activity 3
Mr Smith the teacher has sent a letter home asking parents and carers to make sure pupils are on time for school.
He's written his letter in non-standard English though!
Unfortunately, instead of sounding polite and formal, he sounds very laid-back and informal.
Re-write his letter in standard English so it is appropriate for parents and carers to read.
Click on the image to the right to open the letter.
Top tip!
- Read Mr Smith's letter out loud first, to make sense of it - some of the words in the letter look quite different to their standard, formal equivalents, so might seem tricky at first!
You can check your answer in this suggested answer sheet.
Play our fun English game Crystal Explorers! game
Use grammar, punctuation and spelling skills to explore jungles, caves and tombs on your mission.
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