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Standard English

Learn what Standard English means for 11 Plus. Use clear grammar and formal choices so your writing sounds correct in exams and everyday schoolwork.

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Fascinating Fact:

Avoid non-standard verb forms. Say I was, they were, not I were. Use we have not, not we ain't, in formal writing and speech.

In 11 Plus English, Standard English is the agreed, formal way of writing and speaking. It helps readers understand you clearly in tests, letters, reports, and academic work.

Key Terms

Standard English: The accepted form of English used in schools, exams, and formal writing.
Non-standard English: Informal or regional forms that are fine in everyday talk but not for exam answers.
Subject-verb agreement: Matching the verb to the subject, for example she was, they were.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is Standard English for the 11 Plus?

It is the formal version of English used in schools and exams. It follows agreed rules for grammar, spelling, and punctuation so your meaning is clear.

Can I use slang or regional words in exam answers?

Avoid slang and regional forms in exams. Use Standard English so markers understand you easily and you show accurate grammar and vocabulary.

What common mistakes should I look for?

Check subject-verb agreement (I was, they were), avoid double negatives (I did not see), and write full forms in formal work (we have not).

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
I can do that quicklier than you. I don't have nothin' to tell you.

can, don't

quicklier, nothin'

than, nothin'

can, quicklier

They should be 'quicker' and 'anything'

2 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
Then he jumped off of the wall.

off

Then

the

'of' is not required

3 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
If he 'adn't've gone to the match he wouldn't of been late.

wouldn't, of

'adn't've, wouldn't

gone, of

'adn't've, of

They should be 'hadn't' and 'have'

4 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
I ain't never done nothin' like that.

ain't, done

ain't, like

ain't, nothin'

like, that

They should be 'have' and 'anything'

5 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
When yow walked in the dooer.

When, yow

yow, in

in, dooer

yow, dooer

They should be 'you' and 'door'

6 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
That's the swing she swinged on.

swinged

That's

swing

It should be 'swung'. It's an irregular verb: 'swing-swung-swung' (principal parts)

7 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
Wot dya want, then?

Wot, want

dya, then

Wot, dya

Wot, then

They should be 'what' and 'do you'

8 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
You'ze lot 've got a lot to learn.

You'ze, lot

You'ze, 've

've, got

You'ze, got

They should be 'you' and 'have'

9 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
She doesn't know 'im.

'im

She

doesn't

know

It should be 'him'

10 .

Choose which word(s) are in non-standard English.
Waz 'is name, then?

Waz, 'is

Waz, name

'is, then

name, then

They should be 'what's' and 'his'. TIP! It might sound cool to talk like this with your friends, but AVOID talking or writing in non-standard English in serious or formal situations

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)