RIP prepositions?

'Different from' seems to have mutated to 'different to'. We were always taught 'different from' but 'similar to'.

But we didn’t used to meet with people, so maybe it’s swings and roundabouts?

I see exactly what you mean and having been thinking much the same as you. I was reminded about the "debate" example only this morning while listening to the radio.

While I accept that language evolves (sometimes to its detriment), in my opinion when the prepositions are omitted the sentence doesn't make sense.

On the other.hand there was a thread a.while back complaining about the unnecessary addition of them. I can only think of two examples off the top of my head - both of which I have since noticed in cooking videos: "cooking out" (as opposed to just "cooking") and "frying off" (rather than just "frying")

But I agree, in some cases the preposition completely changes.the meaning. "Debating Harris"? Who with?

Also,why 'park up'?

And one that has confused me in recent years is "sorry for" rather than " sorry about"

I didn't know the verb to grieve needed a preposition. I'm just grieving. Full stop. Or "period", as Americans say.

Surely one can be sorry for a person? As in pitying their situation/suffering/whatever.

I agree that "park up" is daft.

I just park.

I just grieve.

Saying you are going to debate someone means you are going to debate a topic (or several) with them. Topis is understood and therefore superfluous.

*c

Prepositions are fiends anyway.

Baggs

Surely one can be sorry for a person? As in pitying their situation/suffering/whatever.

Yes, or I would be sorry for doing something wrong, but sorry about a misfortune that befell someone.

I would be sorry that a misfortune befell somone.

And feel sorry for the person to whom it befell.

Baggs

I would be sorry that a misfortune befell somone.

Yes, that works for me, too

A daughter of a friend thought a preposition was something you got at the doctor’s !

JackyB

And one that has confused me in recent years is "sorry for" rather than " sorry about"

Similarly, the use of "excited for" rather than "excited about". As in, "I'm excited for my birthday party".

Funny. Same thing occurred to me. I thought it had something to do with auto text. Can't stand the phrase 'to plate up'.

i agree. i have an irrational dislike of to plate up.
i think it has morphed from a commercial setting, canteen or restaurant catering operation, to the domestic realm.
perhaps through the influence of professional chefs presenting cookery programmes.

re grieving etc, people say to the bereaved, i'm sorry for your loss; that sounds spot on to me.
some of the variations above are american usage, eg meet with; i will write him.
variety is the spice of life.

Where I live (in Essex) so many people appear to have stopped using “the” and “to” so they “go shops” “go Spain” “go Doctors” I cannot bear it, it sounds like gibberish!

In Cumbria we go t' shops, He's going up t' Street etc. it's a sloppy way of saying 'to'.
(had to smile, just before I hit the 'post' button I realised the auto-text had corrected it to to.)