After driving to work on an exceptionally sunny day last week, I hopped on the elevator, making my way to my company’s fourth-floor suite.
I was in a pretty good mood, which was perhaps due to the sunshine, or maybe because I was feeling good about my work/baby balance on that particular morning.
Little did I know, my good mood was about to take a detour to ‘wtf-ville’ via the elevator…
“What floor are you going to?” I politely asked the man who had allowed me to enter the elevator before him.
“Two,” he said, with a little hesitation.
As the elevator began slowing to his stop, he turned to me and asked, “Did you just end a sentence with a preposition?”
Now, in my before-coffee state, I thought he was asking my advice IF you COULD end a sentence with a preposition, as people who know I have a degree in journalism sometimes do. So, I gave a soft laugh and answered, ‘Well you know, that actually used to be a big no-no, but now the rules are a little more lenient.” I should’ve added, “ESPECIALLY in casual conversation…”
The minute he replied, “It’s still a big no-no… TO WHICH floor are you going…” I realized that I had misheard him, and this was an early morning grammar lesson.
“Oh, right… I’ll remember that for next time,” I said as he stepped off the elevator with a concerned look.
As I arrived at my floor with a furrowed brow, I had three questions…
First of all, I was wondering about the rules… I’ve been out of college almost a decade (yikes!), so I’m sure my grammar skills are a little rusty. IS it okay to end a sentence with a preposition? I’m sure we all do, many times a day even.
Secondly, was that guy a huge jerk, or was he just doing what he thought was right by ridding the world of bad grammar, one clueless person at a time?
Lastly, WHO DOES THAT?! I mean, even if I noticed bad conversational grammar, I don’t think I’d correct someone… Especially if I didn’t notice the person, and especially it was before 9 a.m.
Sheesh!
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