DR>> While an increasing number of UK English speakers now split the DR>> infinitive ("to properly read"), nevertheless it is considered by us DR>> to be an Americanism and not good UK usage..
GK> Please feel free to address your criticism to Björn who introduced this GK> subject and certainly likes to pride himself of the most proper use of GK> BE.
I am addressing my observation to all of you, not to you personally, Mr. Kuehn. You surely understand the difference between netmail and echomail?
I do know of Björn's interest in the correct use of English. We have corresponded on the subject for many years, long before I'd ever seen any messages here from you, and he has always been happy to listen to my comments.
The fact that you interpreted my observation as a criticism does show that you do not understand the nuances of English. How can you? You are not a native English speaker
GK> As a side note, I might add that using the conjunction "while" in a GK> concessive manner is considered bad style in both AE and BE by many GK> people. They think it should be used in its temporal meaning only. ;-)
Now there, sir, I would take issue with your temerity in daring to criticise MY use of the English language! (If you took my remark as a criticism then I am at liberty to do the same with yours.)
GK> PS: When you are used to German, English appears to be a GK> language without any proper rules, anyway.
I *am* used to German sentence construction, which is why I know that it is very difficult for a non-English speaker to understand the complex rules of English.
Tell me, what is wrong with this sentence: "I am living in Reading since thirty years." I haven't seen anyone on this echo get this construction right! The construction is correct in German and in French (and, for all I know, in the other languages represented here) but it is not correct in English.
David
-- David Rance writing from Caversham, Reading, UK
