We all conjugate the word "to be" as "I was," right? Then why do I often hear things like "If I were you..." Which is right? Are they both?
Also, I have questions on lots of little things. People seem to use "where" in places where (heh heh) I don't think it belongs, like: "This is the stage of photosynthesis where leaves get their color." I think it should be "when" or "in which," but "where" is how people really speak.
Similarly, I know you're not supposed to split infinitives: "To boldly go where no man has gone before." Problem is, it sounds better to split them. "He selfishly told me not to go with him" sounds better than "he told me selfishly to go with him." Or am I way off?
I also know you're not supposed to dangle participles (is that the word?), but there are times when you really have to, or else you would sound alien and ridiculous, like when Winston Churchill said, "that is the sort of language up with which I will not put!"
I love Winston Churchill.
Sarah
Also, I have questions on lots of little things. People seem to use "where" in places where (heh heh) I don't think it belongs, like: "This is the stage of photosynthesis where leaves get their color." I think it should be "when" or "in which," but "where" is how people really speak.
Similarly, I know you're not supposed to split infinitives: "To boldly go where no man has gone before." Problem is, it sounds better to split them. "He selfishly told me not to go with him" sounds better than "he told me selfishly to go with him." Or am I way off?
I also know you're not supposed to dangle participles (is that the word?), but there are times when you really have to, or else you would sound alien and ridiculous, like when Winston Churchill said, "that is the sort of language up with which I will not put!"
I love Winston Churchill.
Sarah