To Be or Not To Be: An Empirical Test of English Prime as Theory

Abstract

English Prime is a language prescription advocating the abolition of all forms of the verb “to be” from usage. Such benefits of a “to be”-less form of communication might include an increased appreciation for the essential complexity of reality and the intangibility of certain forms of knowledge. However, to date, no English Prime claims have been rigorously examined in an empirical manner. A program of research systematically assessed individual differences in the use of the verb “to be” to determine their relationship to outcomes described by English Prime scholars. Relations between English Prime violations and the following theoretically relevant measures were examined: dialectical endorsement, temporal nonlinearity, interpersonal complexity, the dialectical self, arrogance, and neuroticism. No support was found for English Prime theory via these measures. Possible reasons for such null results and implications are discussed.