http://www.englishforums.com/search/pro.htm?q=tag%3aPrepositions+tag%3aLogins&tag=Prepositions,Logins&orTags=0Search results for 'tag:Prepositions tag:Logins' matching tags 'Prepositions' and 'Logins'en-USCSMOD (Build: 3232.18851)http://www.englishforums.com/English/AnywayAnyWayAndSoForthI/lwnl/post.htmSun, 21 Nov 2004 21:57:40 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:56587Denis the MenaceI'm new here and probably quite qualified to help out when I can. <br /> <br />There is a common error that many people make in written English that compels me to comment. It's the mistaken use of one word where two are intended, or vice versa. <br /> <br />When I registered on EnglishForums.com, one particular sentence said: <br /> <br />"The email you enter is not public, shared in anyway, or displayed on this site." <br /> <br />What's the problem? It was probably a typo of some overworked webmaster, but in fact it should have said "shared in any way". This kind of error has appeared in so many places in recent years that new speakers of English are probably very confused. Even native speakers are confused! Which of the following sentences are correct? <br /> <br />1. They have the lowest prices everyday. <br />2. Big sales are an everyday event. <br /> <br />3. Let's go in to the restaurant. <br />4. I'm glad that you talked me into sushi. <br /> <br />Numbers 1 and 3 are NOT correct. If you think about it, many compounded words are adjectives or prepositions. In number 1, "every" and "day" belong apart because they are not describing a noun. In number 3, "into" was the preposition intended, just as it's shown in number 4. Word pairs also get romantic and hook together when their combined meaning is a noun -- such as "workout" or "landmark" and thousands of others that are recognized by all of the best dictionaries. <br /> <br />For some people, it's tempting to write with liberties that corrupt the logic of English. I note that "Please login" has become conventional. This new 'verb' is highly anomalous to the patterns of sentence structure because sensibly there would be a "login" which is defined as the syntax you use when you "log in". <br /> <br />It's hard to stop the grinding of wheels that force the language to be more and more complicated, fraught with rules for which there are no explanations, but we can make life easier by sticking to our guns. I go through life with the hope that I can encourage at least the occasional person to practise simple logic. <br /> <br />I have a free handout on the one-word/two-word problem that I'm pleased to provide to anyone who asks.