THE ANARCHIST'S GUIDE TO GRAMMAR: Is it "Free"? or "For Free"?

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Is it "Free"? or "For Free"?

Today's News Tribune Executive Editor wrote: "...we supply newspapers for free to students...." A laudible program, I'm sure. Still, The Grammar Anarchist asks, "Is that extra preposition necessary?" Why can't you "supply newspapers free to students"?

2 comments:

Kristen from S.C. said...: I always heard "for free" as far back as the lady at the candy store. She gave us hard candy "for free." I come from South Carolina.; July 1, 2011 at 9:12 PM
The Grammar Anarchist said...: This may be a regional thing. My candy clerk gave us candy freely. That made it free.; July 1, 2011 at 9:14 PM

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About the Grammar Anarchist

The Grammar Anarchist is a published author of books on language, an editor working with other writers, and a writing instructor (not a teacher, who can "teach" writing?) She toils from a dust-free computerized location in the Northwest (free of urban intervention).

The Grammar Anarchist has put up with the bad language habits that are running rampant in the U.S. and has pledged to do away with (destroy, eliminate, terminate, undo, get rid of) those who insist on trying to force "rules" on unsuspecting writers.

A friendly Anarchist, she is willing to help the ungrammarized to clean up their acts, exercise their control over language, and live unfettered lives of happy communication.

No words have been (or will be) harmed in the execution of this exercise.