Hello all, this may sound silly but these days everyone (especially tv adds) say "for free" The reason I ask is, have I had it wrong all my life that if something is free, then we say "this is free" and not this is for free. Otherwise we we would need a bag of "frees" Or did my parents and teachers guide me incorrectly. The other question is, do I now have to write: "Get your hands off of me" or can I still write "get your hands off me"?
I ask because I think I know but am no longer sure. If I am writing then I need to get as much correct as I can. There are more things like this but it would become a list and I think these are the two main ones that bug me.
Or is it just Americanisms? and if this is the case do I have to learn the way they use English.
I hope that makes sense to anyone who reads this post.
Thanks in advance. Regards Paul G
Americanisms creep in, but you don't have to use them, Paul. Be true to your own language! You are English, writing English - stick to that.
You can get something free, as in free of charge. It's a corruption of sorts to say it's for free; comparing it's for free with it's for 5p - it implies there's a charge of 0p. It's nonsense; you can't get something of free because free isn't a charge - it's a neutrality, on the grounds it's neither a cost nor a negative cost.
Get your hands off me, not off of me: the 'of' is redundant.
Lorraine
Thank God and thank you all that is not just li'l ole me, oops was that an Americanism. So sorry, I am just weak willed I suppose.
But seriously, I did not want to have to rethink everything I am typing to make sure it fits in with "a trend".
I will carry on as (has as been said) the way I were learnt!
Sorry I can't help rubbish jokes.
Again thank you all for taking the time to confirm my own thoughts. I know that I often need certain things affirming, just in case.
Kind regards as always, Paul
Hi Paul, I’m a new member of this website, and can already see from questions like yours, that it’s likely to be my go-to place in future to seek answers to my queries! I echo the comments made by Jonathan above. I find the Americanisms sneaking into our everyday language infuriating, the most annoying one that keeps cropping up is an answer to the question, “Have you got everything you need in your bag?” - please tell me I am correct in thinking the answer IS NOT “Yes I do”, and should be “Yes I have”?
I also hate hearing “I’d like two of them ones” when it should be “I’d like two of those ones”, and “I done it” instead of “I did it” or “I’ve done it” .
I suppose in realistic dialogue these quotes will occur as sadly they seem to be part of every day speech now, just as “like” has crept into many youngsters speech, almost every couple of words.