For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 22, 2007

Transcript:

Elizabeth: This afternoon, we're going to go over some English grammar. Children: Groooannn! But we done that last week! Elizabeth: Fact: no matter how capable, no matter how intelligent you are - poor grammar will make you sound less intelligent and poorly educated. So let's work on it! OK? One error I hear all the time is: "her and I went downtown". Here's a way to see if this is correct. Take away "and I". Is it "her went downtown"? What about "me and him"? Take away "me"... Voices: She went downtown! She and I! He went downtown, I went downtown... .he and I went downtown! Elizabeth: Good work! Now, many languages permit double negatives. In Spanish, for example, "I never did nothing" is correct. In English, we say... Girl: I never did anything! Elizabeth: Now, which sentences are correct? I don't got no doughnuts? Voices: I don't have ANY doughnus! Elizabeth: He should have did it? Voices: He should have done it!! Elizabeth: Good grammar is difficult to learn, but someday they'll thank me. What kind of job can they expect to get if they can't speak the language! Voice from radio: "It's Brandy at Rock'n Central, been talkin' to Mizz Candy Rapper - her an' I got 'way back! She's gotta real big hit: "I Seen You Sweatin'!" - comin' up good on the charts, ya'll!"