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You would say or write "They did the cooking". You would never, never, never say or write "They done the cooking"!

Standard English 01

Standard English helps your writing sound clear and correct. Learn when to use formal choices, avoid slang, and pick precise prepositions in speeches, essays, and exams.

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Fascinating Fact:

Standard English prefers precise prepositions. Different from is more common than different to in many guides.

In KS3 English, you learn how Standard English supports clear communication across school and exams. It avoids slang, uses agreed grammar and spelling, and favours precise choices in formal writing.

Key Terms

Standard English: The widely accepted form of English used in formal speaking and writing.
Preposition: A word that shows the relationship between words, for example in, with, from.
Register: The level of formality in language, chosen for audience and purpose.

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Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is Standard English in KS3?

Standard English is the agreed form used in schools, exams, and formal writing. It follows consistent grammar, spelling, and punctuation and avoids slang or regional dialect forms.

Is different from more correct than different to?

Both are used, but many style guides prefer different from in formal writing. Choose from for Standard English unless your teacher or guide specifies otherwise.

How do I choose the right register for a task?

Think about audience and purpose. Use Standard English for essays, letters, and speeches, and keep sentences clear, grammatical, and free from slang or text speak.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
The boys are asking for ..... books as ..... ready to read.

their, their

their, they're

they, they're

they're, their

"They're" is a contraction of "they are". "Their" means belonging to them. We use "there" in sentences such as "I would like to go there"

2 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
I mightn't ..... arrived today if I hadn't booked my ticket.

have

never

not

"I mightn't have" is rather a mouthful!

3 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
I could ..... written to him if I ...... ..... enough time.

have, had had

have, had of had

of, had had

of, Had've had

Never, never, never use "had of had" - it is always wrong!

4 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
He should ..... ..... his work by midday but he was late.

have did

have done

of did

of done

He does, he did, he has done, he had done, he will do!

5 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
Mum would ..... ..... the shopping if she ..... ..... time.

have done, had had

have done, had of had

of done, had had

of done, had of had

Always use "would have", NEVER "would of"! When people make the mistake of writing "would of", they are actually thinking of the contraction "would've", which is short for "would have", of course!

6 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
They ..... the cooking while he ..... the cleaning.

did, did

did, done

done, did

done, done

Use "done" when you want to say that something is finished: "the dishes had been done", "her shift was done"

7 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
She ..... her work early but she ..... her piano practice late.

did, did

did, done

done, did

done, done

Never "she done"!

8 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
I would ..... made the cake if you ..... already done so.

have, had of

have, hadn't

of, had have

of, had'nt

"Hadn't" is a contraction of "had not"

9 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
He only ..... his homework this morning.

did

doing

done

will do

"He only done his homework" would not be Standard English

10 .

Select the word(s) that make the sentence correct.
We couldn’t ..... finished the work without you.

had

have

not have

Always use "couldn't have", NEVER "couldn't of"! When someone writes "couldn't of", they are trying to reproduce the sound of someone saying "couldn't've" (a double contraction of "could not have"), which is not Standard English in writing, even though you might hear people say it!

Author: Sue Daish (English Teacher, Principal Examiner & Published Author)