Jose Carillo's English Forum

English Grammar and Usage Problems => Use and Misuse => Topic started by: nutcracker on February 06, 2013, 12:50:10 AM

Title: Between " anyway" and " anyways"
Post by: nutcracker on February 06, 2013, 12:50:10 AM

I often hear youngsters using " anyways." Is this also acceptable?

Title: Re: Between " anyway" and " anyways"
Post by: Joe Carillo on February 07, 2013, 10:33:21 AM

Many youngsters often use “anyways” instead of “anyway” these days largely because of the influence of watching too many Hollywood movies on cable TV or video, where characters of low educational level use it habitually. This is a pity because “anyways” is American slang or colloquialism that’s considered nonstandard usage in the United States and Canada. I don’t think “anyways” is proper and acceptable usage for nonnative speakers or learners of English, so I believe it should be discouraged as a matter of course in schools and in everyday discourse.

RELATED POSTING IN THE FORUM:
“Is a professor’s use of the word ‘anyways’ acceptable in class?” (http://josecarilloforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1631.0)

Title: Re: Between " anyway" and " anyways"
Post by: nutcracker on February 07, 2013, 10:16:57 PM

I am also guilty of using it sometimes, going after the trend when even local  DJs and native speakers use it. I remember a speaker in one seminar I attended saying " English is a growing language."
Definitely not in this case, especially for  those learning English as a second language.  I agree that nonstandard usage should be discouraged in formal school.

Thanks again for this enlightenment.