use of swan handbook
TRANSCRIPT
Michael Swan,
Practical English Usage,
Oxford University Press,
2
Oxford University Press,
Third Edition.
STUDY THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:
� Don’t say it! 130 common mistakes
pp. xxvi-xxvii
� 1 Abbreviated styles p. 1
4
� 1 Abbreviated styles p. 1
� 2 Abbreviations and acronyms p. 2
� 15 Adjectives (4): order before nouns
pp. 11-12
etc. (see file “B_Programma_2013-
2014_ital” on Didattica Web)
prescriptive grammar
tells people how language
should be used,
rather than describe how it israther than describe how it is
actually used
gives rules of language use
8
descriptive grammar
tends to describe how
language is actuallylanguage is actually
used,
even when usage is
divided
9
examples of “divided usage”
SPELLING
all right and alright
The standard spelling is all right. Alright is common, but some Alright is common, but some
people consider it incorrect, and
that it should not be used in formal
writing.(See section 41)
10
more examples of “divided usage”(See section 309.3)
so-called “correct form”
John and I went to the cinema
so-called “mistake”
John and me went to the cinemaJohn and me went to the cinema
“correct”: Somebody’s dropped his or her keys
“mistake”: Somebody’s dropped their keys
“correct”: Fewer people
“mistake”: Less people
(cfr. Swan 320)11
but
These examples of “divided usage” are referred to native
speakers of English.
They are “mistakes” made by They are “mistakes” made by native speakers.
Some consider them incorrect
forms, but they have become very common in everyday use.
13
Learner mistakes are different.
They are mistakes made by people
who are learning English,
and are the result of incomplete knowledge of grammar
They have to be kept in control
according to grammar regularity.
Here are some common learnermistakes:
14
Some basic mistakes to avoid (Swan: p. xxvi)
It’s often raining here
It often rains here
I have seen Louis yesterday
I saw Louis yesterdayI saw Louis yesterday
The life is difficult
Life is difficult
I have done a mistake
I have made a mistake
15
Some intermediate mistakes to avoid(Swan: p. xxvii)
If I’ll have time, I’ll go home
If I have time…
She told me she has a headache
…she had a headache
My parents wanted that I study
… wanted me to study
You must stop to smoke
You must stop smoking
He has much money
He has a lot of money 16
Using the book to
solve doubts
“La ragazza rischia
18
“La ragazza rischia
di perdere quasi
tutto il lettorato”
“La ragazza rischia di
perdere quasi tutto il
lettorato”:
She risks…
20
She risks…
…of loosing?
…to loose?
See separate PDF’s
of “risk” from Swan book
“The student
24
“The student
risks losing
her lettorato classes”