ADS-L Digest - 25 Mar 2001 to 26 Mar 2001 (#2001-86)

[Beverly Flanigan]

Related is "to graduate (from) high school," although this may be a
regional distinction rather than a general change.  Is "graduate high
school" more common in the East than elsewhere?

At 11:47 AM 3/27/01 -0500, you wrote:
>From:  rabinrl at buffalostate.edu
>Subject: Use of preposition "for" with babysit
>
>In the 50s and 60s in Southern California, babysit always required "for"
>before its object:  I'm babysitting for Bobby until 5:00.  In Buffalo, NY
>now, "for" is not used:  I'm babysitting Bobby until 5:00.
>The "for" seems to have disappeared suddenly, but this is only my perception
>from this vantage point.  I do notice that those in Southern California with
>whom I speak has dropped the "for."  I'm curious to know what the pattern is
>here:  Are there places where the "for" has never exited?  Are there places
>where the "for" continues to be used?  Is there a geographical pattern?
>Ron Rabin
>Communication Dept
>Buffalo State College


_____________________________________________
Beverly Olson Flanigan         Department of Linguistics
Ohio University                     Athens, OH  45701
Ph.: (740) 593-4568              Fax: (740) 593-2967
http://www.cats.ohiou.edu/linguistics/dept/flanigan.htm