Re: CHAT: silly names, prepositions

Muke Tever sikayal:

> > But, there are a few
> > definite examples of final prepositions:
> >
> > What channel is it on?
> > What store did you buy that at?
> > What did you do that for?
> > Who'd you learn it from?
> > What chapter is the test on?
> > Who'd you get it from?
> > Who'd you buy it for?
>
> Hmm, but I think some final preposition use might be more dubious:
>
> How many tables have you looked for my cat under?
I'd blink at that one, sure, but I still think that it would be the first
thing to come out of my mouth if I were to try to say this.  I certainly
*wouldn't* say "Under how many tables have you looked for my cat?"  So the
preposition-final form, although it strikes me as odd, is still the form
I'd produce.


Jesse S. Bangs jaspax@u.washington.edu
"It is of the new things that men tire--of fashions and proposals and
improvements and change.  It is the old things that startle and
intoxicate.  It is the old things that are young."
-G.K. Chesterton _The Napoleon of Notting Hill_
Conlanger code: CLI> l%p+++ cS:R:N:H a++ y n18d:6 X+++ A-- E-- L-- N2.5
Idmp k++ ia-- p+ m++ o+++ P d++ b++ Yivríndil

Reply