As I skipped through the pages of this past Sunday's New York Times Book Review, I reached the final article, an essay that's usually worth the look. And this week did not disappoint.
I can't remember when I became attached to Fowler but I suspect it has something to do with one of the many articles I've read about the inner workings of the New Yorker. But it had to be during my undergraduate days because the fly-leaf is inscribed with my name and student ID number. One of my dearest friends from those halcyon days sent me a gift of three books, one being The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary, and this book I've torn through and have re-read several passages already. What's fascinating about the book is the comparision and contrast is makes between English and other languages.
And what we find is that few, precious few of the wise people in positions of influence put their foot down and try to stomp out a certain type of usage. For example, I recently became obsessed with the usage of "more: and "over." Example:
The charity raised more than $3,000 for the orphans.
The charity raised over $3,000 for the orphans.
If you look it up in any book you'll probably find the same thing I do: The second construction is not correct, but if you try to change it people will think you're a prig so get over it.
