4 ms·
I wouldn't consider them experts on the language, since English is not a prescriptive language. However, they do provide good historical references on use of wo
by sitharus 4y ago
I wouldn't consider them experts on the language, since English is not a prescriptive language. However, they do provide good historical references on use of words to avoid the ridiculous 'you can't use that word like that' arguments.
If we're going to be prescriptive about use of 'they' as a definite pronoun we may as well complain about how particular and peculiar swapped meanings in common vernacular.
- dotancohen 4y ago> English is not a prescriptive language Do you mean that there is no single body, like the French have, directing the usage of the language? I would consider "prescriptive / descriptive" to be properties of a dictionary, but not properties of the language itself. I'm not a subject matter expert so I'm not contradicting you, rather I'm asking.
- TheCoelacanth 4y agoIf people who are widely considered among the greatest English writers of all time aren't experts in English, then no one is. English is defined by use, and they are the best users of it.