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Ask for help > Possible or not?
Possible or not?
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almaz
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I tried the Ngram viewer test as well, Tap, using a lot of different permutations and it confirmed what we said earlier: if after a preposition is rare in written English � formally and informally. It is used in conversation (and Gigi�s examples seem to come from social media where a conversational style is more common or, as in the case of the "legal option" he links to, English may not be the writer�s first language � just read the first paragraph). Basically, it�s not "wrong" � it�s just non-standard.
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11 Dec 2015
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Gi2gi
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Indeed, a big thanks to the OP for this lively discussion. What we seem to have concluded so far is: "Over if" is not wrong. We have heard that British English speakers would prefer to use whether. Would love to hear what the US speakers have to say. As for the rule - no if after a preposition - I would not generalize it this way. It depends on a certain preposition, I guess, with some preposition it must be more common than with others. We can �t put all cases in the same pot, imho. We have heard Almaz �s opinion that although people do use it in "conversational" English, they rarely use it in informal writing. I was wondering if (whether :D) conversational English is very different from what people use when writing informally...  Non-standard? I have heard some fervent speeches here on this forum where people insisted that non-standard English is more than acceptable. I remember someone generously shared a video of a David Crystal on this topic.
Giorgi (Please, spell my name correctly or use my nickname)
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11 Dec 2015
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almaz
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Non-standard doesn�t mean "wrong", Giorgi. And it certainly doesn�t mean "more than acceptable" (what on earth is that supposed to mean, anyway?).
Alex
EDIT: Oops, obviously hit a nerve there: have edited name accordingly.
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11 Dec 2015
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Gi2gi
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Amaz, I will no longer reply to any of your posts unless you have the courtesy to spell my name correctly. Good night everyone. EDIT: Thanks for your edit :)
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11 Dec 2015
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almaz
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Just to recap where we were...
Non-standard doesn�t mean "wrong", Giorgi. And it certainly doesn�t mean "more than acceptable" (what on earth is that supposed to mean, anyway?).
Incidentally, h/t to Giorgi�s friend Lynne for also pointing out that "It�s Giorgi, not Gigi or Georgi..."
Alex
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11 Dec 2015
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Gi2gi
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almaz, Non-standard doesn�t mean "wrong" - Of course, I was saying just that. And it certainly doesn�t mean "more than acceptable" - There was a topic here a while ago, I was referring to it. You can search for it if you like. Hope I made it clear now. If not we can go on some other time. It �s past my bedtime. Giorgi |
11 Dec 2015
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almaz
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As usual, Giorgi, you�ve made nothing clear except the fact that you�re unwilling to debate matters of grammar and usage in a mature way. Alex
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11 Dec 2015
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Tapioca
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Let �s all go to bed and be glad no-one was injured :-)) |
11 Dec 2015
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Gi2gi
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Alex, as always you are turning to offensive sarcasm when you feel you are cornered. I can do nothing to change that, I just feel sorrow for wasting my time on people like you ...
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11 Dec 2015
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