syntax quotes

Mr Robert Montgomery's genius [is] far too free and aspiring to be shackled by the rules of syntax† [His] readers must take such grammar as they can get and be thankful.

-1st Baron
  'Robert Montgomery', in the Edinburgh Review,  Apr.

Syntax and vocabularyare overwhelming constraintstherulesthat runus.Language isusing us to talkwe think we're using the language, but language is doing the thinking, we're its slavish agents.

- Harry Burchell Mathews
  Interview in City Limits, 26 May.

Those who prefer their English sloppy have only themselves to thank if the advertisement writer uses his mastery of vocabularyand syntax to mislead their weak minds.

- Dorothy L(eigh) Sayers
  'The Psychology of Advertising', in The Spectator,19 Nov.