What the hell is a Grammar Anarchist?
You can be one! Since we don’t have a U.S. language, feel FREE to set your own rules -- interpret grammar YOUR WAY. You’re not in England anymore. Join the anarchy of U.S. grammar! Make your choices and preserve them in YOUR STYLE MANUAL. —The Grammar Anarchist
Saturday, June 18, 2011
What's Wrong With "amidst" and "amongst"?
They're archaic, old, ancient, outdated, old-fashioned, obsolete. Need I say more?
Hey, this is what I'm anarching about! Whenever I hear, "the dictionary says..." I have to ask, "And who wrote the dictionary?" and "which dictionary?" Like other "authoritative" books, dictionaries offer opposing ideas. Look it up! (Not "alright", but "all right"! The dictionary says so.)
While they may be old and outdated, there are certainly times when they still fulfill a need, a time when they fit better than their shorter versions. I also like whilst. The English we speak is American English, but still, I hate to see good words set aside or replaced with improper ones! "Free to set our own rules." I think not! : )
They're romantic and beautiful for scene setting, as well as setting an omniscient narrative voice apart from dialog. Hemingway-style writing isn't for everyone.
That's what my anarchy is about: create your own limits, guidelines, words, based on how you feel about them, and NOT on how somebody else's style book tells you to.
The dictionary says it's alright to use the s-t words. They're cute!
ReplyDeleteHey, this is what I'm anarching about! Whenever I hear, "the dictionary says..." I have to ask, "And who wrote the dictionary?" and "which dictionary?" Like other "authoritative" books, dictionaries offer opposing ideas. Look it up! (Not "alright", but "all right"! The dictionary says so.)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOuch! But dost thou nay considerest “whilst” and “couldst” and “wouldst” as appropriate when writing about the knights of old?
ReplyDeleteOnly if you use ALL the Middle English, which nobody would understand today. Pick and choose your words carefully.
ReplyDeleteWhile they may be old and outdated, there are certainly times when they still fulfill a need, a time when they fit better than their shorter versions. I also like whilst. The English we speak is American English, but still, I hate to see good words set aside or replaced with improper ones! "Free to set our own rules." I think not! : )
ReplyDeleteTell me, what are "proper" and "improper" words? and who decides? If they're proper for you, then use them. I'm setting my own rules -- for me!
ReplyDeleteThey're romantic and beautiful for scene setting, as well as setting an omniscient narrative voice apart from dialog. Hemingway-style writing isn't for everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! Hemingway had his style; I have my style; and I'll bet you have yours. And that's the way the literary world outta work!
ReplyDeleteFor me they carry an implication of vitality and motion while "among" and "amid" feel more static.
ReplyDeleteThat's what my anarchy is about: create your own limits, guidelines, words, based on how you feel about them, and NOT on how somebody else's style book tells you to.
ReplyDelete