[E. Albright]

Originally posted by Arryn:
You do not end a sentence with a verb in English, though it is the common way to do things in many non-English Languages.

Weeell... That depends on whom you ask. A linguist would say that you do in fact end sentences in English. [S]->[VP]->[NP VP]->[N V]. E.g., "He left." Those individuals trying to impose linguistic homogeny, eliminate regional variation, and otherwise quash langauge evolution are more likely to assert that, no, it's like this. Of course, langauge evolution is a Bad Thing in terms of mutual intercomprehensibility. But it's also inevitable, and the standardization of language tends to become political. As do most things. 'Cept if ya reckon that they'uns what ain't in power're the folk who make up all-a these rules. So one ought to be wary, and seek some semblence of balance.

Wow. I've drifted rather far afield, haven't I? Geez. I guess I really don't want to be working on my program, as I should be...

H'm. My Last sentence seems to parse under standard English despite ending its with a verb. Mayhaps the sociolinguistic rant was irrelevant, at that. Or maybe I'm drifting into colloquial English. Arrgh!

[ February 10, 2004, 15:40: Message edited by: E. Albright ]