Thursday, March 26, 2009

Grammar Anyone?

Last night we were watching a movie, Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery. While watching, I heard a sentence that, for some reason, drives me crazy. The narrator said, "He was going to try and get to the summit by nightfall."

Is that grammarically correct? Shouldn't it be, He was going to try to get to the summit by nightfall. Please! Someone help me here. I read it in books all the time! I hear people say it endlessly.

If I am wrong, I will try and not correct it in my head any longer. I mean, I will try to not correct it in my head any longer!

3 comments:

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Tricky one that, Shabstress! I wouldn't say either was technically wrong, but I am not fabulous on grammar - As schools in my sixties generation didn't focus so much on the technical stuff, just on getting us to write...

I think they're to blame for my lloooonnngg Hemingway-style sentences!

I hate bad grammar generally, 'though, so I shall look forward to your responses, 'though. Thank you!

septembermom said...

I think both ways would be fine. I prefer your version of the sentence. Like you, I can drive myself crazy with wondering about whether something sounds right or not. I'll be interested to see the other comments.

shabby girl said...

Okay gals. We may never know. :) I'll try to control myself! Ha!

Flora & Fauna

Books I have known & loved

  • Life of Pi
  • A Hundred Years of Solitude
  • Kite Runner
  • The Way the Crow Flies
  • Fall on Your Knees
  • Poisonwood Bible
  • East of Eden
  • Shantaram
  • I Know This Much is True

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