.
The results of the Google searches in the clip are to be taken with a pinch of salt. In other words, they shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
However, the clip can be used to demonstrate to students how we can use Google to investigate language. This can be useful whenever a ‘Which is more common …?‘ question arises in class. For example:
Which is more common …
- “Have a shower” or “take a shower“?
- “We’re not” or “we aren’t“?
- “Play guitar” or “play the guitar“?
- Alright or ‘all right‘?
- “Different to“, “different from” or “different than“?
- “What time is it?” or “What’s the time?“
- “Every now and again” or “from time to time“?
- Spelled or spelt?
- “Look after yourself “or “take care of yourself“?
- “A chocolate bar” or “a bar of chocolate“?
I wrote an article on this subject a while back. It can be seen here but a word of warning: I stopped using the Google Fight website which is mentioned in the article as the results that it gives are highly inconsistent.
This is more a teaching idea than a lesson plan. If you decide to use the clip with your students, please let me know what you did and how it went.
Thanks
Jamie
Really like your stuff - find it all ver useful and enjoyabel to use. could you please tell what software you use for filming your sceen and incorporating music into your videos for you tube. Thanks vey much for your great ideas - will try to get the place I work to buy your book. Thanks Roy
Left by roy on April 3rd, 2009