What Do You Get “For Free”?

Where on earth did the idea come that you receive some things for free, rather than just free? You hear it on the media, even see it in print. Why use that preposition (for) when “free” is an upstanding, stable, reliable adjective or adverb? Free means “uncontrolled, without cost, unchained, unfettered”, and other such synonyms.

Of course there will be those who believe for free refers to the “without cost or charge” definition. Believe with me that extra words clutter up good writing, and offer your book “free” for three weeks, or offer a gift “free with purchase”, or offer your services “free to the first ten customers”.

Sloppy writers overuse prepositions. More cases in point (also in italics): “Jill tumbled down from the hill.” “Where should she have gone to?” “All of the king's men... ”, "Maizy set the plate down on the table.” “The plate fell off of the table.” And my least most awful unnecessary usage example: “These writers don’t know where it’s at.” (Boo! Hiss!)

Save Our Prepositions. Don’t overuse them!