Grammar and usage overlap and are mutually Grammar and usage overlap and are mutually dependent, but they do not mean exactly the dependent, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.same thing.

• GrammarGrammar is concerned with the structure of the is concerned with the structure of the language, the way it works, and it remains constant language, the way it works, and it remains constant over long periods.over long periods.

• UsageUsage is a matter of language etiquette, of is a matter of language etiquette, of conventional requirements, of a prescribed or conventional requirements, of a prescribed or accepted code and is constantly changing.accepted code and is constantly changing.

Grammar and UsageGrammar and Usage

Are we living in aAre we living in a

grammatically challenged society?grammatically challenged society?

• Political correctnessPolitical correctness• MediaMedia

• TechnologyTechnology• On-line grammar On-line grammar

toolstools• Software wizardsSoftware wizards

Influences on writingInfluences on writing

What is correct?What is correct?

““. . . correct English is . . . correct English is that which is spoken that which is spoken and written by the and written by the majority of ‘reasonably majority of ‘reasonably educated American educated American people.’ ”people.’ ”

Sterling A. LeonardSterling A. Leonard

Author ofAuthor of “Current English Usage” “Current English Usage”

Better Middle-Class Better Middle-Class English?English?

Better middle-class English Better middle-class English we’ll teach in our schools,we’ll teach in our schools,

And correct composition we’ll And correct composition we’ll leave to the foolsleave to the fools

Who are picayune, narrow, and Who are picayune, narrow, and nasty enoughnasty enough

To insist that their pupils must To insist that their pupils must master such stuff.master such stuff.

TimeTime, November , November 19951995

Do we want to sound like an expert, lecturing the uninformed?

• One can appreciate the health benefits of high school athletics for the players and the entertainment value for the fans.

Or like an acquaintance, informally discussing thoughts and opinions?

• I think high school athletics can be healthful for the players and enjoyable for the fans.

Elizabeth McMahan and Robert FunkElizabeth McMahan and Robert Funk

Here’s How to Write WellHere’s How to Write Well

How should we write?How should we write?

What is appropriate What is appropriate language?language?

• Use Use formal languageformal language when you want to when you want to downplay your personal involvement downplay your personal involvement and emphasize the factual content of and emphasize the factual content of your writing.your writing.

• Use an Use an informal toneinformal tone when you want when you want your readers to know something about your readers to know something about your personal feelings or attitudes.your personal feelings or attitudes.

Elizabeth McMahan and Robert FunkElizabeth McMahan and Robert Funk

Here’s How to Write WellHere’s How to Write Well

Formal Writing

• Write in third person• Avoid addressing the audience directly as “you”• Use no contractions• Use no slang• Use no sentence fragments• Avoid ending sentences with prepositions

Informal Writing

• Write in first person• May address the audience as “you”  May use contractions Use slang only if it’s appropriate for audience Use occasional fragment for stylistic effect

Elizabeth McMahan and Robert FunkElizabeth McMahan and Robert Funk

Here’s How to Write WellHere’s How to Write Well

What rules should we enforce?What rules should we enforce?

Are these really Are these really Non-ErrorsNon-Errors??

Usages people keep telling you are Usages people keep telling you are wrong but which are actually wrong but which are actually standard in English.standard in English.

• Split-infinitivesSplit-infinitives

• Ending a sentence with a prepositionEnding a sentence with a preposition

• Beginning a sentence with a Beginning a sentence with a conjunctionconjunction

• ““Over” versus “more than”Over” versus “more than”

• ““None” singular versus pluralNone” singular versus plural

None of the students (is,/are)

What were youthinking of?

• If correct English is that which is spoken and written by If correct English is that which is spoken and written by the majority of “reasonably educated American people” the majority of “reasonably educated American people” . . .. . .

• If the majority of people write as they speak . . .If the majority of people write as they speak . . .

• If language is influenced by media and technology . . .If language is influenced by media and technology . . .

• If students ignore formal writing rules . . .If students ignore formal writing rules . . .

What Can English Instructors What Can English Instructors Do?Do?

What Can English Instructors What Can English Instructors Do?Do?

Should we continue to enforce formal writing rules?

Are there certain rules that may be considered “non-errors”?

What is appropriate and what is inappropriate?

Can the English department come to consensus?