Some examples of what I was taught then, and what seems commonplace now:
1960: My husband and I ...
2007: My husband and myself ....
1960: Jobseekers' Allowance
2007: Jobseekers Allowance
1960: I dislike his calling me.
2007: I dislike him calling me.
1960: Has everyone brought his tools?
2007: Has everyone brought their tools?
2007-02-25 08:43:01 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
What passes for correct grammar has not changed signicantly although both usage and standards certainly appear to have done so. I believe, however, that "split infinitives" are now regarded as acceptable - largely due to "Star Trek" ("....to boldly go...") and it is no longer considered taboo to end a sentence with a preposition. In fact, this particular taboo was always fallacious, in my opinion, since a word which, in other positions is considered a preposition, becomes an adverb - or, at least is used adverbially - when it occurs at the end of a sentence.
2007-02-25 08:57:20 · answer #1 · answered by GrahamH 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Also commas.
1960: This, that, and the other
2007: This, that and the other
1960: This is a compound sentence, and it has a comma.
2007: This is a compound sentence and it doesn't have a comma.
Also the use of first and second person in more formal writing, which I happen to think is a good, less convoluted thing.
2007-02-25 08:50:33 · answer #2 · answered by TaDa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It hasn't changed, the teaching has. In 1960 everyone was taught grammar at schools. Nowadays, not even the teachers seem to know any.
2007-02-25 22:20:00 · answer #3 · answered by Beau Brummell 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English grammar has gotten worse since 1960. I think the more commonplace of your first example is:
Me and my husband...
2007-02-25 08:48:56 · answer #4 · answered by TheTCB71 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It seems like you just answered your own question. As in your examples, not a whole lot has changed, don't you think?
2007-02-25 08:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly_from_Texas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did you just get unfrozen like Austin Powers?
2007-02-25 08:45:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
How about starting sentences with 'and' - wasn't this absolutely never done?
2007-02-25 08:52:04 · answer #7 · answered by Kate J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we were screwed up in the 60's.
2007-02-25 08:47:10 · answer #8 · answered by Richard J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
possibly - you were taught wrong? I suppose I should say "taught incorrectly"
its just a thought......
2007-02-25 08:46:09 · answer #9 · answered by ~Mustaffa~Laff~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it hasn't changed, it's just that most people have forgotten it.
2007-02-25 20:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by cymry3jones 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋