The title of this post begins with an adverb and a preposition, in that order. For those who’ve never heard the expression “again with,” imagine those words spoken in exasperation, the same tone you’d use for “not again!” (eyeroll optional). I hear “again with” often in New York City, but I don’t know whether it’s in common use in other areas. Custom, not set-in-stone grammar rules, generally governs prepositions. I wait “on line” in New York, but my granddaughter, who lives in Seattle, waits “in line.” Both of us are grammatically correct (and usually impatient).
Although you have a fair bit of leeway with prepositions, some usage is downright strange:
The odd texture of this photo comes from the screen in front of the sign. Every time I pass “these windows,” I wonder why a double preposition (“BY or NEAR”) appears. Either would make the same point. Coupled with the tripled exclamation point in the last line, I suspect the people living behind “these windows” aren’t happy with their ground-floor apartment. In NYC, that location means you’re essentially living in (on?) a crowded sidewalk, because screens and glass do little to keep out smoke and between-puff conversation.
Another confusing preposition:
I hope the company’s food prep is better than its grammar, because “since” means the company was established at some point between 1983 and the present — including, say, this morning. A different preposition, “in,” would place the company in the “thirty years and counting” category, which I suspect is where it belongs.
Another:
I’m not sure why, but “repairs on” sounds odd to me. It makes me envision someone hovering above a necklace or a ring, loupe and screwdriver in hand. A helicopter jeweler, perhaps, for this era of helicopter parents? I’d substitute “to jewelry” or “repair of jewelry” or simply “jewelry repair.”
Last photo:
To be honest, I’m not sure what this sentence means, regardless of prepositions. I do know that “in points” should be “at points,” but the significance of “affected by” escapes me. Theories welcome AT any time, DURING any time period, FOR the foreseeable future.
Isn’t there supposed to be safety in numbers? I googled “established since” (with quotes) and got “about” (Google’s word, not mine) 3,700,000 hits. Nothing’s safe from the Grammarian in the City.
Isn’t there supposed to be safety in numbers? I googled “established since” (with quotes) and got “about” 3,700,000 hits. Nothing’s safe from the Grammarian in the City.
Thanks for checking, Bill. I bow to Google and the wisdom of the people!
That last sentence is a doozy! I also wonder about “dated in the 5th c.” Is the 5th century when dates were added? When was the grave dug? filled? Hmmmm….
Puzzled me also! It wasn’t any clearer in the Spanish version either!
My interest “in” your posts is related “to” my curiosity “regarding” any use “of” grammar “in” weird, inexplicable, or incorrect ways. These are fascinating!
Thanks, Ellie! I think of prepositions as relationship words, and we all know how difficult relationships can be. By the way – I loved your grammar quiz!
I am really loving the theme/design of your blog.
Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility
issues? A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera.
Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
Sorry, but I know grammar, not tech. Perhaps WordPress could help? Good luck.