To boldly go where no man has gone before! Estel

So, can you tell me why I should not split my infinitives?


I have found a Web Site that can


http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutgrammar/splitinfinitives?view=uk


Which is correct: 'a hotel' or 'an hotel'?

This is a classic

Which is correct: 'my friend and me' or 'my friend and I'?


Also

In the sentence 'It is raining' what is 'it'?

<<So, can you tell me why I should not split my infinitives?>>

Most native speakers split infinitives, and often splitting an infinitive is actually the most idiomatic option you have. Native speakers know when to split them, and they don't give a damn if any others say that's wrong for some weird reason.

<<Which is correct: 'a hotel' or 'an hotel'?>>

I think "an hotel" is only ok if you drop the H in "hotel". I don't know if there is anyone who actually says "an hotel" AND doesn't drop the H.

<<Which is correct: 'my friend and me' or 'my friend and I'?>>

Both. But there is no context, so it's impossible to even express a preference.

<<In the sentence 'It is raining' what is 'it'?>>

Either the sky, or God, or a well-known clown who eats children.

OK Johnny

The answers are contained in the Web Site given. However you have provided the answers too.

<<Which is correct: 'my friend and me' or 'my friend and I'?>>

'my friend and me': colloquial

'my friend and I': written English (formal)

Neither sounds particularly good. However the Web site points out. That most people's attempts to avoid these constructions results in even worse grammatical errors. Yet it is 'communicative'.

It is probably easier to say: 'We, John and myself, ...." actually - that was one of the errors if I remember correctly.

So, it is not easy, fortunately most people do not care so long as it is 'communicative' and 'unambiguous'.

Have a look at the Web Site (Imperative!)

Just because Joan Armatrading can say it, does not mean that you can too.

Joan Armatrading lyrics - Me Myself I

I sit here by myself
And you know I love it
You know I don't want someone
To come pay a visit
I wanna be by myself
I came in this world alone
Me myself I

I wanna go to China
And to see Japan
I'd like to sail the oceans
before the seas run dry
I wanna go by myself
I've just room enough for one
My myself I

I wanna be a bigshot
And have ninety cars
I wanna have a boyfriend
And a girl for laughs
But only on saturdays
Six days to be alone
Just me myself I
Me myself and I
Just me myself I

Don't wanna be the bad guy
Don't wanna make a soul cry
It's not that I love my self
I just don't want company
Just me myself I
Me myself and I
Just me myself I

I sit here by myself
And you know I love it
You know I don't want someone
To come pay a visit
I wanna be by myself
I came in this world alone
Me myself I

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutgrammar/meandi

That article you mentioned is among the worst articles I have ever seen. It summarize all the bullshit about English in a nice short paragraph.

Reasons:

1) It implies that colloquial English is wrong:
[...] In colloquial speech 'me' is often used where standard grammar requires 'I' [...] Me and my friend went to a party last night. [Wrong] [...]

2) It encourages modifying sentences with no good reason, in an attempt to prove a questionable point (obvious bias):
[...] If in doubt, take your friend out of the sentence. [...]

3) It tries to explain idiomatic usage with ridiculous assumptions:
[...] Incidentally, saying 'my friend and I' instead of 'I and my friend' is not better grammar, it's just being polite [...]

It is absolutely ridiculous.

There have been many discussion on this website regarding all that you have mentioned. There is no need for me to go over this again, since many experts have explained and given their opinion.

<<'my friend and me': colloquial
'my friend and I': written English (formal)
>>

Both depending on case (as hinted at earlier by Johnny Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:05 pm GMT )

My friend and I like ice-cream; Ice-cream is liked by my friend and me.

<<In the sentence 'It is raining' what is 'it'? >>
The weather condition

*many discussions

Dear Johnny

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutgrammar/meandi

That article you mentioned is among the worst articles I have ever seen. It summarize all the bullshit about English in a nice short paragraph.

+++This article contains the answers++++

Reasons:

1) It implies that colloquial English is wrong:
[...] In colloquial speech 'me' is often used where standard grammar requires 'I' [...] Me and my friend went to a party last night. [Wrong] [...]


+++People often make mistakes in colloquial English. It does not matter if they do so long as they are understood. Grunts are quiet acceptable in colloquial English. If you watch Homer Simpson, his wife grunts when she is deeply unhappy about Homer's bright idea.++++



2) It encourages modifying sentences with no good reason, in an attempt to prove a questionable point (obvious bias):
[...] If in doubt, take your friend out of the sentence. [...]

+++Looking at different constructions of the same sentence to see which constructions work, and which ones don't!++++

3) It tries to explain idiomatic usage with ridiculous assumptions:
[...] Incidentally, saying 'my friend and I' instead of 'I and my friend' is not better grammar, it's just being polite [...]

+++I think you have missed the point here Johnny. Something can be grammatically correct but impolite. 'My friend and I', the friend comes first in the person's thinking. It is not always 'I' 'I' 'I', the writing style of an egotist. ++++

It is absolutely ridiculous.

+++Being self taught is one thing, being 'self opininated' is something else+++

If you don't believe me, do some research on where the article came from.

Best Wishes

But don't compete with a Native Speaker! Grrr.

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Ho Ho Ho ! You have shot yourself in the foot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!