TexasCHLforum.com

No less a master of the English Language than Winston Churchill brilliantly illustrated the ridiculousness of the "never end a sentence with a preposition" rule when upon being "corrected" for doing so, replied "that is an outrage up with which I shall not put!"

In English, it is perfectly grammatically sound to end a sentence with a preposition. The "rule" against doing so does violence to the way the language is structured, and the way it is used. It was invented by prissy little old-maid schoolmarms (the kind who wear cargo pants, Birkenstocks and a sour face these days) who were trying to force English (a Germanic language) grammar to conform to the rules of Latin because it was seen as the language of the "educated."

Consequently, people twist up the most bizarre and awkward contortions of the English language in an attempt to abide by this silly "rule."

The way the language is used precedes its grammar, not the other way around.

Music theory is not a set of rules a composer must adhere to, it is a way of explaining how the composer did what he did. Similarly, grammar is properly an explanation of how the language is actually used by its practitioners.

Yes, there is such a thing as good and bad grammar. But it's really not that hard. Basically, if it sounds wrong, it is wrong. Just like Winston's riposte I quoted above.

Language changes and evolves over time. English is no exception. Just look at the differences from Shakespeare and the King James Bible to the Victorians to Today.

Um, yeah. Really.

And my ABD (that's All But Dissertation to you non-academics) wife who went through a Doctoral program in English Literature agrees with me.

But I'll bet you that the 20-volume OED has the word "ghastily" in it.

I am not being whimsical. I am being correct.

There are plenty of legitimate words not found in "the dictionary."

Say "hearty ate" and then say "heartily ate" out loud. Which one sounds correct?

Ghastly is indeed the correct spelling. It is the wrong word.

Ghastily is the adverbial form of ghastly.

"not comprehending how ghastily platitudinal they sound" is an adverbial phrase wherein the words "ghastily" and "platitudinal" are used to modify the verb "to sound."

Abraham wrote:... not comprehending how ghastly platitudinal they sound.

Since we're on the subject anyway...

ghastily platitudinal

Imply and infer.

One implies to and infers from.

But what really drives me up the wall is when people can't seem to understand the plain meaning of simple, basic English phrases like "shall not be infringed" and "the right of the people."