Past tense, future imperfect
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Utpalendu Gupta's succinct analysis of the ever-changing nature of written English is brilliant.
Actually, the debate goes back at least to the 13th century, when the pope hauled King John over the coals for daring to term himself “Rex Angliae” (King of England) rather than the traditional “Rex Anglorum” (King of the English). That’s papal bull for you.
Winston Churchill got into hot water when he criticised the attire of Neville Chamberlain, his predecessor as prime minister: “His coat looked as though it was thrown into the gutter and run back after for.” You should never end a sentence with a preposition, let alone two. But then, as former Bangkok Post columnist Bernard Trink used to say, “I don’t give a hoot.”
Barry Kenyon
