QUESTION BANK

GRAMMAR
Malaysian English Usage
Malaysian English is widely spoken and generally acceptable when used among Malaysians. It
is sometimes known as Non-standard English. However, it is normally not accepted in academic
writing. In a more formal situation, such as in academic writing, it is advisable to use Standard
English.
The table below shows some non-standard use of vocabulary commonly used among Malaysians.

Non-standard English Standard English

– My best friend, Gina, called me to lunch
yesterday.
– The immigration officer chopped my
passport.
– Can I follow you to the supermarket this
afternoon?
– My father has gone outstation. He will be
back next week.
– The van driver horned at me angrily.
– My best friend, Gina, invited me to lunch
yesterday.
– The immigration officer stamped my
passport.
– Can I go with you to the supermarket this
afternoon?
– My father has gone out of town. He will
be back next week.
– The van driver sounded his horn at me
angrily.

PRACTICE 5
Read the following statements and underline words or phrases in non-standard English (Malaysian
English). Then write the Standard English equivalents.
1 The price of the pineapples is so cheap that we can buy a whole basket of them.
2 Last time our village did not have electricity supply so we had to use kerosene lamps.
3 Muthusamy was so boring that he left the seminar halfway through.
4 The victim of the accident was sent to the nearest hospital.
5 Mr Tan was angry with the students because they did not pass up their assignments.
6 We will shift to our new house next month.
7 The boys arrived at the house, opened their shoes and dashed into the house.
8 Hurry up, Kim. Open the television. It is time for the The Fast and Fury film.
9 Sallehuddin is much taller compared to his brother.
10 Faridah is now attached to Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.

1
ACE AHEAD MUET
© Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd. (008974-T) 2011
Answers

Malaysian English Usage

PRACTICE 5

1 The price of the pineapples is so cheap that we can buy a whole basket of them.
low

2 Last time our village did not have electricity supply so we had to use kerosene lamps.
In the past

3 Muthusamy was so boring that he left the seminar halfway through.

bored

4 The victim of the accident was sent to the nearest hospital.

taken

5 Mr Tan was angry with the students because they did not pass up their assignments.
hand in

6 We will shift to our new house next month.

move

7 The boys arrived at the house, opened their shoes and dashed into the house.
took off

8 Hurry up, Kim. Open the television. It is time for the The Fast and Fury film.
Switch on

9 Sallehuddin is much taller compared to his brother.

than

10 Faridah is now attached to Maybank in Kuala Lumpur.

working for

2
ACE AHEAD MUET
© Oxford Fajar Sdn. Bhd. (008974-T) 2011