wace
Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2008
- Member Type
- English Teacher
- Native Language
- Italian
- Home Country
- Italy
- Current Location
- Italy
Here's another doubt originating from the somewhat 'liberal' use that some native speakers of English make of their own language.
Any grammar book will say that the preposition BESIDES must be followed by the -ing form..... And sure enough, I have found besides followed by the infinitive......:-( The following are a few examples taken from a random Google search
1) What else can I do with a teaching degree besides teach?
2) What else did you do besides read books?
3) What else could you do besides watch TV?
Much to my relief, I've found just as many with the -ing form. Could I therefore try and 'expound my own theory' as a non-native speaker?
They are both acceptable in common parlance today, the -ing form being technically better and to be preferred in academic writing (?)
Thanks
Any grammar book will say that the preposition BESIDES must be followed by the -ing form..... And sure enough, I have found besides followed by the infinitive......:-( The following are a few examples taken from a random Google search
1) What else can I do with a teaching degree besides teach?
2) What else did you do besides read books?
3) What else could you do besides watch TV?
Much to my relief, I've found just as many with the -ing form. Could I therefore try and 'expound my own theory' as a non-native speaker?
They are both acceptable in common parlance today, the -ing form being technically better and to be preferred in academic writing (?)
Thanks
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