Using Standard English

Standard English is the version of English that should be used in schools, business transactions, and professional communications. The following types of spoken or written English are often used informally, but they should be avoided in academic writing:

Dialects

In the United States, many ethnic groups speak informal English dialects. Although such language is certainly appropriate in informal conversations, it is usually not appropriate in academic writing. Dictionaries often label expressions like the following as non-standard:

youse, hisself, theirselves
them books, them courses
knowed, throwed, hadn’t ought, could of

Regionalisms

Each region of the United States has several native expressions or pronunciations. For example, y’all is commonly used in the South, and howdy is a common greeting in Texas. Like dialects, such regionalisms are appropriate for informal conversations, but not for academic writing.

Which sentence is appropriate for academic writing? You should of been here last night, because the game was real exciting. I could have given you my extra ticket, and you could have ridden with us.