68
Mrs. Bluezette's Grammar Guide
where's it "at," anymore/any more
When George Strait sings, "where it's at," Mrs. B can deal with it.
Outside the context of a country song, it makes her cringe.
"Where" means "at" or "in what place."
So when someone asks, "Where's it at?" or "Where are you at?" it's
downright redundant.
Recording artists take liberties with the language.
As a journalist, though, you serve as a touchstone for how to use it.
There's a difference between using regionalisms and using
substandard language.
In the South, for example, "anymore" is commonly used to mean
"nowadays."
Hearing that from the anchor desk south of the Mason-Dixon Line
might be expected.
Consultants preach using a conversational style of delivery.
Mrs. B, a consultant in another life, agrees.
But she draws the line at lowering standards to the "sub" level.
While we're on the subject of "anymore," a reminder.
"Anymore" means "any longer," "at the present" or "from now on."
v
We won't be reporting on the stock market ANYMORE on the
morning show.
"Any more" is about amount left.
v
Do we have ANY MORE VHS tapes in the building?
Mrs. B leaves you today with a quotation by John Stuart Mill:
"The structure of every sentence is a lesson in logic."
