Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

STANDARD AND NON-STANDARD SPOKEN GRAMMAR

119

General

119a

In 84 the notion of standard spoken grammar was described in relation to

standard written English. In this section some features of non-standard spoken

grammar are described. Learners of British English are likely to hear these forms. 

In 85 five main categories or levels of acceptability for spoken and written

forms of grammar were outlined. For purposes of discussion in this section, each

category has a number to mark the different levels. ‘Widespread’ here means

across users of both genders and across a wide range of ages and social and

regional backgrounds.

1 In widespread use in both spoken and written language (most forms are in this

category). 

2 In widespread use in both written and spoken language but not approved in

more prescriptive grammar books and often avoided by many writers of formal

English, for example, split infinitives, stranded prepositions (e.g. That’s the

woman I gave it 

to, compared with That’s the woman to whom I gave it). 

3 Rare or not occurring in writing but widespread and normal in spoken

language (

Û

for example, 96 Headers and 97 Tails 

), and vice versa. 

4 Regionally or socially marked in writing and/or spoken language but

widespread and normal within major regional/social varieties of British

English (

Û

for example, the use of ain’t, 119b

).

5 Non-occurring and unacceptable in all varieties of British English (for example

a structure such as he did must speak).

It is important, however, to note that what is acceptable may vary from one

context or from one personal relationship to another.