Which is more formal and which is easier to understand?

Question

>1. Affixes are subdivided into prefixes, which precede the base to which they attach >2. Affixes are subdivided into prefixes, which precede the base which they attach to. The difference between them just is to put the phrase attach to together or division. I think the second one is easier to understand and easy to use? But the first is more formal?

Answer 1

You're basically correct.

Traditional English grammar says that you should never end sentences with prepositions, and many people still consider such old-fashioned rules more "correct" or formal. However, linguists and other scholars increasingly recognize that a lot of those rules were imposed on English only because they apply in Latin, and a few hundred years ago, people thought that Latin was better than English, and they could make English "better" by making it follow Latin grammar rules. Pretty silly, right?

However, it's a viewpoint that still persists today, in the idea that English was somehow better a few hundred years ago, and that we should still follow those rules. So yes, in that sense, the first is more "formal," though of course it's not for me to say which is easier for you to understand!

So when writing or speaking, my suggestion is: make your own choice. Everyone will understand what you mean when you say "the base which they attach to," but some snobs may consider it a sign of poor education (if so, since this is tagged "ESL," you might ask them how many languages they speak).

And if anyone criticizes you for it, you can remind them that Winston Churchill made fun of exactly this kind of snobbery when he said, "ending sentences with prepositions is a practice up with which I will not put!"

Answer 2

English grammar has a rule that one should not end a sentence with a preposition. Proper English requires the first version of the sentence. However , if you are speaking informally or if you are quoting a person then you may use the second form.

John