--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [B]y being so long in the lowest form I…" description: "\"“[B]y being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. They all went on to learn Latin and Greek and splendid thi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/winston-churchill-95_learning-english_b-y-being-so-long-in-the-lowest-form-i-g_476680.jpg" --- # \[B\]y being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense… ![“[B]y being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. They all went on to learn Latin and Greek and splendid things like that. But I was taught English. We were considered such dunces that we could learn only English. Mr. Somervell -- a most delightful man, to…” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/winston-churchill-95_learning-english_b-y-being-so-long-in-the-lowest-form-i-g_476680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/winston-churchill-95_learning-english_b-y-being-so-long-in-the-lowest-form-i-g_476680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ef/winston-churchill-95_learning-english_b-y-being-so-long-in-the-lowest-form-i-g_476680.jpg) > ““\[B\]y being so long in the lowest form I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. They all went on to learn Latin and Greek and splendid things like that. But I was taught English. We were considered such dunces that we could learn only English. Mr. Somervell -- a most delightful man, to whom my debt is great -- was charged with the duty of teaching the stupidest boys the most disregarded thing -- namely, to write mere English. He knew how to do it. He taught it as no one else has ever taught it. Not only did we learn English parsing thoroughly, but we also practised continually English analysis. . . Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence -- which is a noble thing. And when in after years my schoolfellows who had won prizes and distinction for writing such beautiful Latin poetry and pithy Greek epigrams had to come down again to common English, to earn their living or make their way, I did not feel myself at any disadvantage. Naturally I am biased in favour of boys learning English. I would make them all learn English: and then I would let the clever ones learn Latin as an honour, and Greek as a treat. But the only thing I would whip them for would be not knowing English. I would whip them hard for that.”” [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that mastering English provides practical advantage over classical languages, emphasizing functional literacy over prestige. **In simple terms:** English is more useful than Latin or Greek for everyday life. Key Takeaway Prioritize practical language skills. Themes education language practicality Mood reflective determined Type didactic historical When to use this quote - career advancement - daily communication - academic writing - public speaking Key Concepts functional literacy social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How does language choice affect social opportunity? - What balance should be struck between practical and classical education? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on English may neglect cultural depth of classics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Common English](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-english/) [Latin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/latin/) [Learning english](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-english/) ## Related quotes > [ By being so long in the lowest form \[at Harrow\] I gained an immense advantage over the cleverer boys. . . . I got… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/by-being-so-long-in-the-lowest-form-at-harrow-i-gained-an-immense/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Thus I got into my bones the essential structure of the ordinary British sentence, which is a noble thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/thus-i-got-into-my-bones-the-essential-structure-of-the-ordinary/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [People sometimes have to correct my English. I knew I had a problem when Arnold Schwarzenegger started doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/people-sometimes-have-to-correct-my-english-i-knew-i-had-a-problem/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Once upon a time the English knew who they were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-pavlova/once-upon-a-time-the-english-knew-who-they-were/) [Anna Pavlova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-pavlova/) > [I came to New York when I was 21, 22. I couldn't speak English. I knew I wanted to go to fashion school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francisco-costa/i-came-to-new-york-when-i-was-21-22-i-couldn-t-speak-english-i-knew-i/) [Francisco Costa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francisco-costa/) > [I came to Los Angeles for the first time in 1994. I spoke no English. I only knew how to say two sentences: 'How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-cruz/i-came-to-los-angeles-for-the-first-time-in-1994-i-spoke-no-english-i/) [Penelope Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-cruz/) > [“I wish I could go visit them and talk in my own language, the English I knew before I grew thorns on my tongue.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/i-wish-i-could-go-visit-them-and-talk-in-my-own-language-the-english/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [“Structure of the Calendar When we talk about the Mayan Calendar, we are really talking about two calendars—one that measures ordinary time, and one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/structure-of-the-calendar-when-we-talk-about-the-mayan-calendar-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Today, in our common English, we speak Tyndale more than we do Shakespeare. 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People of every race, of every color, of every culture are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/america-is-an-open-society-more-open-than-any-other-in-the-world/) [S. I. Hayakawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-i-hayakawa/) > [“They had nothing in common but the English language, and tried by its help to express what neither of them understood.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/they-had-nothing-in-common-but-the-english-language-and-tried-by-its/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [They had nothing in common but the English language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-had-nothing-in-common-but-the-english-language/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why on earth do we want closer connection with England? We have little in common with English people except our language. We are fast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-lawson/why-on-earth-do-we-want-closer-connection-with-england-we-have-little/) [Henry Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-lawson/) ## More by Winston Churchill > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/this-is-no-time-for-ease-and-comfort-it-is-time-to-dare-and-endure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Never, never, never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/never-never-never-give-up/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most times he will pick himself up and carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/man-will-occasionally-stumble-over-the-truth-but-most-times-he-will/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [God alone knows how great it is. All I hope is that it is not too late. I am very much afraid that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/god-alone-knows-how-great-it-is-all-i-hope-is-that-it-is-not-too-late/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/when-you-re-20-you-care-what-everyone-thinks-when-you-re-40-you-stop/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Writing a book is an adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/writing-a-book-is-an-adventure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/all-men-make-mistakes-but-only-wise-men-learn-from-their-mistakes/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and defy the clamor of the multitude are not fit to be ministers in time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/people-who-are-not-prepared-to-do-unpopular-things-and-defy-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [To meet Roosevelt with all his buoyant sparkle, his iridescence, was like opening a bottle of champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/to-meet-roosevelt-with-all-his-buoyant-sparkle-his-iridescence-was/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-am-always-ready-to-learn-although-i-do-not-always-like-being-taught/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There are plenty of good ideas, if only they can be backed with the power of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-are-plenty-of-good-ideas-if-only-they-can-be-backed-with-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) [Explore all 1,366 Winston Churchill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More Latin quotes > [Forcing modern speakers of English to not - whoops, not to split an infinitive because it isn't done in Latin makes about as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/forcing-modern-speakers-of-english-to-not-whoops-not-to-split-an/) [Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/) > [The word 'mundane' has come to mean 'boring' and 'dull', and it really shouldn't - it should mean the opposite. Because it comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-word-mundane-has-come-to-mean-boring-and-dull-and-it-really/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [If you can believe it, Hollywood wanted to change my birthdate. I was born after Valentine's Day, so they wanted to change it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/if-you-can-believe-it-hollywood-wanted-to-change-my-birthdate-i-was/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) > [Firstly, economic globalisation has brought prosperity and development to many countries, but also financial crises to Asia, Latin America and Russia, and increasing poverty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-lindh/firstly-economic-globalisation-has-brought-prosperity-and-development/) [Anna Lindh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-lindh/) > [Trombone virtuoso and innovative composer, Papo combines the best of jazz and Latin music to create a genre that is unique and wild. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-brecker/trombone-virtuoso-and-innovative-composer-papo-combines-the-best-of/) Michael Brecker > [I learned Spanish as my second language from middle school through high school. I grew up volunteering at homeless shelters and tutoring kids of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-learned-spanish-as-my-second-language-from-middle-school-through/) [Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/) > [I'm a first generation American. My mother is Italian and Russian and a lot of other things, and my father is Uruguayan. In fact,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-arcelus/i-m-a-first-generation-american-my-mother-is-italian-and-russian-and/) [Sebastian Arcelus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-arcelus/) > [Being a Catholic, I was drawn to the mystery of the Latin and the smoke and the mirrors and all of that. That part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sarandon/being-a-catholic-i-was-drawn-to-the-mystery-of-the-latin-and-the/) [Susan Sarandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sarandon/) > [I have to represent. I feel proud to have a culture that's different... and proud to be a Latina. We're not all categorized as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-martinez/i-have-to-represent-i-feel-proud-to-have-a-culture-that-s-different/) [Natalie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-martinez/) > [How will the Tower of Babel be undone? How will we understand each other in Heaven? Will we all speak English or Dutch or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/how-will-the-tower-of-babel-be-undone-how-will-we-understand-each/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [Altermodern is an in-progress redefinition of modernity in the era of globalisation, stressing the experience of wandering in time, space and mediums. The term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-bourriaud/altermodern-is-an-in-progress-redefinition-of-modernity-in-the-era-of/) Nicolas Bourriaud > [The American influence is not so aggressive anymore. The American big business influence in Latin America is not as strong, so people can vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/costa-gavras/the-american-influence-is-not-so-aggressive-anymore-the-american-big/) [Costa-Gavras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/costa-gavras/) > [I read that 36% of Latin kids drop out of high school, and we're the most bullied minority in schools right now. 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