Dear Editor:

I was happy to see that Tim Sample is on my side! I have this little Grammar Grouse that goes crazy when she sees or hears flaws in the language. We know that language is always evolving, but let it evolve toward clarity and beauty!

When did Americans stop using prepositions? The most important words, providing direction, linkage, other clarifications. We don't shop Hannafords, we shop "at" or "in" Hannafords. We don't graduate high school, we graduate "from" high school. Don't they teach direct and indirect objects, transitive and intransitive verbs any more?

On the other hand, why the sudden bloom of the preposition "of"? How big of a mistake is that? Should be “How big a mistake?” My Grammar Grouse spins like an angry top when she hears that totally unnecessary "of."

When did Americans start pronouncing "route" "rout"? As if a way of travel were a total hopeless defeat? Don't we like the French any more? Hey, they bailed us out during the Revolution! Think kindly of Lafayette, and pronounce "route" like "root." Much more logical, as roots of a plant follow a route down through the soil.

Thank you for letting Grammar Grouse vent. She and I love our language. We hope the rest of you will repent of your sloppy usage, and join us in giving English more clarity and more beauty!

Jo Cameron
Edgecomb