To simplify the expression \( 2x^2 - 7x - 4x - 4 \), we first combine like terms.
The like terms in this expression are the linear \(x\) terms:
\[ -7x - 4x = -11x \]
Now, we can rewrite the entire expression:
\[ 2x^2 - 11x - 4 \]
This expression is already in standard form, which is generally written as \( ax^2 + bx + c \) where \( a, b, \) and \( c \) are constants.
Thus, the simplified expression in standard form is:
\[ \boxed{2x^2 - 11x - 4} \]