English Mistakes

Common Errors in English is a compendium of mistakes I find constantly in newer writers' works. Better yet, Paul Brians, Professor of English at Washington State University explains the correct usage. He'd like visitors to start at the home page of this website, but I wanted you to have the most helpful reference right at hand. In a series of Q&A about the site, Dr. Brians addresses a controversial issue:

Why do you discuss mainly American usage?
Because I'm an American, my students are mostly American, most English-speaking Web users are Americans, and American English is quickly becoming an international standard. I am slowly reworking the site to take note of American deviations from standard British practice. However, the job is complicated by the fact that Canadians, Australians, and many others often follow patterns somewhere between the two. If the standard usage where you are differs from what is described here, tell me about it; and if I think it's important to do so, I'll note that fact. Meanwhile, just assume that this site is primarily about American English.

He sends you to The President's English if you feel inclined to argue this point; there he states that "My goal is to defend American standard usage from the bullying of non-American critics, and to warn Americans not to be parochial in assuming that everyone speaks like they do. For obvious reasons, careful writers have to pay attention to a relatively small number of differences; but we don't have to let those differences whip us into a frenzy of mutual denunciation."

I have no difficulty reading non-American versions of English (although some flaming misconceptions have resulted, especially with Australian stories). A problem arises when I read the awkward prose of Indian, Pakistani, and Afghan writers for whom English is a secondary form of communication. They take umbrage at suggestions that their writing is usually self-evident as ESL and less than perfectly proper expressions, whether in a British or American style. I'm beginning to wonder if the schools in those countries are using colloquial forms and telling the students it is standard English?

[English]

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