Notes & Asides

■ Dear Mr. Buckley:

I write this missive with a great deal of compunction (inasmuch as you are a person for whom I have the utmost respect), but I should like to question your rather frequent use of the construction “so therefore” in speech. I realize that this is a common verbal sin which doubtless many are culpable of (indeed, I have heard figures as diverse as I. M. Pei and Noam Chomsky peppering their speech with “so therefore”). Pace your linguistic skills, could you possibly be incorrect in your usage?

About the Author

William F. Buckley Jr.

William F. Buckley Jr. founded National Review magazine in 1955.

■ Dear Mr. Buckley:

I write this missive with a great deal of compunction (inasmuch as you are a person for whom I have the utmost respect), but I should like to question your rather frequent use of the construction “so therefore” in speech. I realize that this is a common verbal sin which doubtless many are culpable of (indeed, I have heard figures as diverse as I. M. Pei and Noam Chomsky peppering their speech with “so therefore”). Pace your linguistic skills, could you possibly be incorrect in your usage?