NATURAL USAGE PREVAILS

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NATURAL USAGE PREVAILS Follow books for ONLY BASIC CONSTRUCTION. And, to express yourself, follow the pattern naturally used by the native users.

The relationship between book grammar and natural usage in language is like the relationship between skeleton and flesh in a human body. In the picture above, you see a person in 1981, 1994, and 2017. The skeleton makes the BASIC CONSTRUCTION of his body and is the same in 1981, 1994, and 2017. But his external looks are NOT the same in the given times. Throughout the time, as the construction of his “flesh” structure changed, his appearance changed also. And, although his 1981 skeleton is same as 2017, when you are talking about his practical form of existence, you are talking about NOT the forms in 1981 and 1994 but the form in 2017. The same way, while book rules are the skeleton or basic construction of the language, the form as exists in the practical or natural usage at the present time is the actual form of the language.

Accordingly, as stated in the first paragraph, “follow books for ONLY BASIC CONSTRUCTION. And, to express yourself, follow the pattern naturally used by the native users.” It, however, does not mean you follow everything that the native speakers use. For example: To say “I am not going to do it”, native speakers in Southern America say “I ain’t gonna do it”. “I ain’t gonna do it” is a bad English. At the same time, focusing on the word “gonna” only, you can safely say “I’m not gonna do it”. But the books tell you “gonna” is a substandard English, while we frequently hear literally everyone (from the president to all decent speakers) using “gonna”. Thus, while “ain’t gonna” is bad, “am not gonna” can be safely used although books disapprove the use of “gonna”. So, you must follow the form in present time practical usage but, in doing so, you have to be a little careful about your choice. Ultimately, in general, between book and natural usage, the latter overrides. ---------LAST NOTE: There is a big difference between “use” and “speak”. “Using” language does not mean “speaking” only. “Speaking” is just one part of “using” that includes “listening, speaking, reading, and writing.” Finally, let me give you an example to illustrate the value of natural usage. “I humbly, respectfully, gratefully, and cordially appreciate it” > This sentence is perfect by book rule. But no one uses this kind of form. To make the idea sound natural, proper expression is: “I cordially appreciate it” or simply “I appreciate it”.

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