When I studied linguistics it was drilled into us that there isn't really any such thing as 'correct' grammar.
Nevertheless, my previous schooling had instilled certain things into me, and one of the Americanisms I wince at (or, at which I wince!) is 'the secret to ...'. For example, 'the secret to good spelling is to miss out the U'. It really puts my teeth on edge. I would be happier if everybody said 'the secret of'. -- Bob > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of Don Williams > Sent: 09 January 2007 15:37 > To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List > Subject: Re: OT Question (was Re: OT Is returning a > phonemessage reallythatcomplicated) > > Hi Shel, > > Every single US website that offers free services, that I have ever > seen, uses "For Free!" and not "Free" or "Free of Charge" or > "Gratis" or > any other correct combination of words. But if you look again > you'll see > that I write US spoken English is sometimes strange. And do not imply > that this is always the case. But find me a website offer > that is "Free" > and not "For free" and I'll take back (most of) my words. > > If you see a child with dirty sneakers up on the sofa cushions do you > say "Get you feet off the sofa" or "Get your feet off of the sofa?" > > Don -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
