If so, my analysis amounts to a rule in search of actual usage—a prescription rather than a description Confusingly, in the uk, they are known as public schools. A friend claims that the phrase for free is incorrect
Should we only say at no cost instead? With the advent of the free software movement, license schemes were created to give developers more freedom in terms of code sharing, commonly called open source or free and open source software. What is the opposite of free as in free of charge (when we speak about prices)
I don't think there's any difference in meaning, although free of charges is much less common than free of charge Regarding your second question about context Given that english normally likes to adopt the shortest phrasing possible, the longer form free of charge can be used as a means of drawing attention to the lack of demand for. I want to make a official call and ask the other person whether he is free or not at that particular time
I think asking, “are you free now?” does't sound formal So, are there any alternatives to. Saying free or available rather than busy may be considered a more positive enquiry It may also simply mean that you expect the person to be busy rather than free, rather than the other way round
