It is what you say AND how you say it

Winston Churchill said, when commenting on the proper use of English, “ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I shall not put”. Dryly, he made a point about the ability to express an idea in a way appropriate to the situation, a way that can come only from an understanding of the language’s rules and structure.

To listen to these sorts of habitual blunders is often as funny as listening to announcer wannabes on public address systems, using a sing-song tone in their very formulaic deliveries, often ending on a rising inflexion.

Listen, also, as speakers inform listeners that a particular event will happen in “one ourwah”.

Smile patronisingly as speakers add and stress inappropriate word supplements to verbs: “we DO have a wide range of goods in stock”. Is there any doubt that you did?

As I mentioned earlier, you have to know the rules to be able to break them, but it is important also to be flexible in speaking properly. This includes punctuation. There can be a considerable change of meaning in the insertion, or placement, of a punctuation mark: “What is this thing called, love.” “What! Is thing called love”?

Being able to define what is “proper” is essential. With a language as broad and subtle as ours, its uses are enormous, and it is important to speak in the way that suits best the listener.

The only way to understand what is proper is to have been taught it in depth, and correctly. Then you can break whatever rule you choose if it will add strength to what you wish to say.

Yes, English is certainly changing, so try to keep up with it!

I, myself, personally, hope that you avoid the perils of tautology, rising terminals, trying for more betterer than the worstest grammar, and that the groundswell of clichéd English misuse will ebb.

Good on yez!