Originally posted by mochironTo quote that article:
http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/prepositions1.html
please note.
Language is an ocean not a canal
"...and equally obviously..."
I'll use proper grammar, not what that twat says. The "doesn't it sound far better when I talk like a 4th grader" argument wasn't very persuasive.
Originally posted by cmsMasterIn a society that is now dominated by writers and musicians who can't even graduate, never mind speak proper english. It's nearly impossible to expect people to speak proper english this day and age.
...with prepositions. "Where are all the bitches [b]at?" and "Where are all the witches at" should both exclude the "at."[/b]
Originally posted by pawnfondlerYour first sentence is actually a clause and not a sentence. "English" is capitalized. Thank you for using "It's" correctly. 🙂
In a society that is now dominated by writers and musicians who can't even graduate, never mind speak proper english. It's nearly impossible to expect people to speak proper english this day and age.
Originally posted by cmsMasterCMS... your anal retentive view on English will not help. Rules do not always work in English. Please note:
To quote that article:
"...and equally obviously..."
I'll use proper grammar, not what that twat says. The "doesn't it sound far better when I talk like a 4th grader" argument wasn't very persuasive.
http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/prepositions2.html
Try learning another language or taking some linguistics courses. May help open your "canal" view of languages.
Originally posted by mochironThe argument in the first piece is puerile, CMS is quite right when he says we should not follow the 'talk like a 4th grader' notion. Simplifying language is a double edged sword. Those of us who have a good command of it can discard the rules in pursuit of artistry, poetic flair or just colloquial style and that's just fine, but teaching that we should discard such rules to make it easier for others is feeble.
CMS... your anal retentive view on English will not help. Rules do not always work in English. Please note:
http://www.grammartips.homestead.com/prepositions2.html
Try learning another language or taking some linguistics courses. May help open your "canal" view of languages.
Language does evolve beyond rules, it has to, but notice the 'beyond'; just dissolving rules is a mistake.
English has now become the language in which most of the world communicates. Human beings usually become reasonably literate in their own language, but "broken English" is where those of us who use it as a second language usually find themselves.
This poses a problem for native English speakers. If we insist on a reasonable standard of grammar and punctuation, we unreasonably handicap and criticise people whose English is at least understandable, and also those native English speakers whose intellect is limited.
I have noticed extreme variations between posters in RHP forums, and being charitable I ascribe these variations to lack of opportunity rather than lack of diligence. Unfortunately, if the posters' displayed flags are a guide to the their birth languages, English sentence construction is no longer being taught in schools in English-speaking countries.
Should there perhaps be two levels of acceptable English: the standard variety, with its extensive vocabulary, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure, which is such a pleasure to read; and the "communications" variety, where they're and their and there are interchangeable and apostrophes run riot?
