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Michelle Cha Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

free and for free

1. You can have it free.

2. You can have it for free.

3. This is free.

4. This is for free.

Are they all correct and grammatical?
  

Top answer

I would use only #2 and #3.

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  • I would use only #2 and #3.
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7 Answers
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I would use only #2 and #3.
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'Free' is fine.
In a few years, I think 'for free' will also be considered standard. But not yet.
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I think it’s already standard. The COCA’s got over 1500 citations for it.
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"for free" is widely used but is considered bad English by some. In my opinion it is OK to use informally, but I would avoid it in formal writing.
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Aspara GusI think it’s already standard. The COCA’s got over 1500 citations for it.
On the other hand, Collins dictionary calls it "not standard":

http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/for-free
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GPYOn the other hand, Collins dictionary calls it "not standard":
I’d say that label was outdated.

The Random House Dictionary and Oxford call it informal:

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/for-free
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Aspara GusI’d say that label was outdated.
You're probably right. I do think it deserves at least an "informal" though.
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