1. I want something for writing;any pen or pencil will be OK.

2. I want something for writing with;any pen or pencil will be OK.

3.I want something for writing.

4. I want something for writing with.

(Are they correct? If I remove the latter part, are they correct? Check the four sentences, please.)

Responses

English - SraJMcGin, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 7:32pm
It was Winston Churchill who said "Never end a sentence a preposition with!" #2, I want something to write with = is more common.
#4 again, I want something to write with = is more common.

Sra

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1. I want something for writing;any pen or pencil will be OK.

2. I want something for writing with;any pen or pencil will be OK.

3.I want something for writing.

4. I want something for writing with.

Are #2 and #4 also grammatical?
Are the four sentences all grammatical?

1 and 3 are better. 2 and 4 are awkward.

Sra

And don't forget to put a space after each of those semicolons!

=)

Yes, all four sentences are grammatical.

1. "I want something for writing; any pen or pencil will be OK." This sentence is grammatically correct. The phrase "for writing" describes the purpose or intended use of the requested item.

2. "I want something for writing with; any pen or pencil will be OK." This sentence is also grammatically correct. The phrase "for writing with" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, indicating the tool or instrument used for writing.

3. "I want something for writing." This sentence is grammatically correct. Though it does not specify the tool or instrument, it conveys the general idea of needing an item for the purpose of writing.

4. "I want something for writing with." This sentence is grammatically correct. It is similar to sentence #2, but without the mention of any specific acceptable tool or instrument. It expresses the idea of needing a writing tool without specifying which one.