Conversation started Jul 24, 2015 at 17:34.
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
Jul 24, 2015 17:34
1
A: Can "where" be used as "from which"?

WillThis is an interesting syntax, though I've heard it's falling out of favor. The purpose is to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition (from, to, on, etc). So rather than say "...the car I am sitting in." you would say "...the car in which I am sitting.". This can be confusing, ...

Interesting!
Though I think...
> A preposition is a terrible thing with which to try not to end a sentence.
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
What?
Damkerng T.
Damkerng T.
would be something the professor had in mind. :P
> a) "A preposition is a fine thing to end a sentence with."
> b) "A preposition is a terrible thing with which to end a sentence."
Oh, I see. A) and b) were said by two different people.
One was a linguist and the other was an English professor.
So, b) would be what they really wanted to say.
I thought the linguist might've wanted to demonstrate its awkwardness.
 
3 hours later…
Anonymous
Jul 24, 2015 20:43
A) is of course more natural English, but the grammar in B) is still seen today in formal style.
Anonymous
Of course, it would be a mistake to suggest that anyone should speak exclusively in formal style.
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
Third answer today!
What's happening to me? Worried
Anonymous
There's an old joke, though.
Anonymous
> Speaker A: Excuse me, where's the library at?
> Speaker B: Here at Harvard, sir, we do not end a sentence with a preposition.
> Speaker A: Oh, sorry. Where's the library at, asshole?
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
Hah!
Anonymous
Jul 24, 2015 20:52
Questions of the form Where's the library at? are interesting, actually.
Anonymous
The at seems to be extra. You can say:
Anonymous
> Where's the library?
Anonymous
But not:
Anonymous
> *At where's the library?
Anonymous
But people actually do say:
Anonymous
Jul 24, 2015 20:53
> Where's the library at?
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
Oh yes, that's one common error too.
Anonymous
Well, I'd rather call it "non-standard" than an "error".
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
Oh?
K.
Anonymous
If you believe it's not acceptable in Standard English, well, that's one point you can argue. I think it's perfectly reasonable to say it's non-standard.
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
inɒzɘmɒЯ.A.M
Oh my newest answer is about the subjunctive mood.
Anonymous
Jul 24, 2015 20:54
Although someone might make an argument in the other direction.
Anonymous
But I can't see any reasonable argument for calling it an error.
Anonymous
Surely the native speakers who say "Where's the library at?" intend to say it!
Anonymous
It can't just be a slip of the tongue.
 
Conversation ended Jul 24, 2015 at 20:54.