Miss Elaine Eos typed thusly:
> In article <MPG.1c5228f9fbe6e54a98ac95@news.individual.net>,
> the Omrud <usenet.omrud@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Can I talk to Mr. Benito? Poor
>
> > These days, nearly everybody uses this form, except for people
> > learning English as a foreign language.
>
> First, I would suggest that far from "nearly everybody" uses this form.
> Do not mistake "most of the people I know" for "nearly everybody."
Thank you for your advice.
> Second, even if most people do use that form, it only indicates that
> most people speak poorly, not that it is the correct form.
>
> Yes, I understand that language evolves according to usage. However,
> improper usage does NOT become proper just because a bunch of kids,
> these days, can't be bothered to learn to speak their own native tongue
> correctly ;)
Sorry, but I'm afraid it does. English is not prescriptive.
English dictionaries record usage, not regulation.
> On the flip side, I'll grant that "I don't know, can you?" is about the
> most ridiculous reply possible to such a query. <G>
Although I am often tempted to make such a reply. But then I'm an
Engineer.
> Getting back to the original, though -- if the querier's intent is to
> write a natural-sounding dialog, he might go with something along the
> lines of "is Mr. Benito available?" This form carries an implied:
> "...to speak with me" or "...for a brief phone conversation" -esque
> ending.
Yes.
--
David
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