Originally Posted By: Jakearoo
Originally Posted By: cadet
As an English teacher, the ability to wield the English language with precision and clarity is something I aspire to (and often fail...).
a trial", and "the condition of having been tested and approved".
RG


RG, I really don't mean to cast dispersions but when one announces they are an English teacher and ends that very sentence with a preposition it is a bit of a surprise. I am sure you meant "to which I [you] aspire."
And since we are aspiring "to wield the English language with precision and clarity," it might be pointed out that quotation marks (") belong after the commas and periods not before them.

Sorry for the post but the fruit was hanging very low.
Regards, Jake


You noted my caveat "often fail..."

I am aware of the punctuation/quotation mark order thing; I've always found the "correct" way counter intuitive though - in my brain, the quote within the sentence/clause finishes, and then the sentence, clause etc finishes.
I'd have to check, but I think Burchfield/Fowler has no problem ending a sentence with a preposition.
My little boy has no problem with it: "What did you get that book that I didn't want to be read to out of out for?"!

I tell my students that once one knows the rules, one can break them for effect.

Continue "casting dispersions" Jake: this thread has turned out to be good fun!
RG