Search results for 'tag:Prepositions tag:British English' matching tags 'Prepositions' and 'British English'

Re: should/would

Yoong Liat — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:42:42 GMT

New2grammar
Thanks, Optilang. It's quite difficult to understand. I think American usage of preposition in these contexts is simpler. I think I have quite a good idea now.

I agree with you. The American versions are more logical and so easier to remember. However, it's advisable to know the differences in usage between American and British English. If you persevere, as I have done and am doing, you'll find that you have a better command of English.

Best wishes.

Re: On the weekend /OR/ at the weekend????

Pretty In Pink — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:31:20 GMT

Philip wrote:
Nona The Brit wrote:

I think US English may differ in this respect but with British English you do indeed use 'at' the weekend, and 'on' Saturday. I suppose you might as well query why we say 'in' March - prepositions just differ even in related topics sometimes.

US English: on the weekend, during the weekend, over the weekend, but not 'at'. On Saturday [or no preposition at all].

hi, and thanks for the response.

i have another question:

I hear allot of people saying for example, "i was listening to music IN work"

Is that correct, or should it be , "i was listening to music AT work"

Re: On the weekend /OR/ at the weekend????

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 07:27:25 GMT

Philip wrote:
Nona The Brit wrote:

I think US English may differ in this respect but with British English you do indeed use 'at' the weekend, and 'on' Saturday. I suppose you might as well query why we say 'in' March - prepositions just differ even in related topics sometimes.

US English: on the weekend, during the weekend, over the weekend, but not 'at'. On Saturday [or no preposition at all].

hi, and tnx. it souds rather funny to say "at the weekend"..

andways, similar question:

i hear ppl saying "i was listening to music IN work"

is that right? shouldnt it be "at work?"

Re: On the weekend /OR/ at the weekend????

Philip — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:34:57 GMT

Nona The Brit wrote:

I think US English may differ in this respect but with British English you do indeed use 'at' the weekend, and 'on' Saturday. I suppose you might as well query why we say 'in' March - prepositions just differ even in related topics sometimes.

US English: on the weekend, during the weekend, over the weekend, but not 'at'. On Saturday [or no preposition at all].

Re: On the weekend /OR/ at the weekend????

nona the brit — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:41:26 GMT

I think US English may differ in this respect but with British English you do indeed use 'at' the weekend, and 'on' Saturday. I suppose you might as well query why we say 'in' March - prepositions just differ even in related topics sometimes.

Re: Is American English lazy English?

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 16:02:27 GMT

"I much prefer the attitude of the British. They have enough respect for the language to use correct spelling, clear enunciation and to observe the correct use of prepositions and general grammar. On the other hand, some Americans seem to like reinventing the language as they go."

To use a British word, bollocks! Americans at least pronounce all the syllables in words like "territory" and "secretary". Most of them also pronounce the letter "r" in all positions, where standart British English no longer does. They speak at a slower pace than British English, and as a British English teacher, I am told by my foreign students invariably that they find American English easier to understand. Their pronunciation is closer to the London pronunciation of the early 17th century than modern British RP.

I do not understand what you mean by correct. Do you mean your personal use of English, and do you measure other people's English against this? You seem to me to be one of those, who has never studied linguistics or phonology, let alone grammar, but thinks they can sound off about language in some sort of authoritative way.

Re: Preposition - On or In

Grammar Geek — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 01:10:03 GMT

BrE - British English

AmE - American English

In the US (AmE) if you say someone is "in" the street, it means where the car are. If you say someone is "on" the street, they are along the road. However, "in the street" is used in BrE as "on the street" is used in AmE. Mostly.

Re: Jake walked slowly so as to let his girlfriend catch up to/with him.

Bokeh — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:34:01 GMT

Grammar Geek wrote:
How do you say, in British English, that someone "closed the distance" when one person was ahead?

Hi GG,

Many people would say "caught up with", but it's not what the OED says. I've not heard "caught up to" before but there are a lot of cases where we use different prepositions this side of the pond. In many cases the American choice has replaced (or started to replace) the typical British choice.

Re: with or without 'at'

Cool Breeze — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:53:33 GMT

Grammar Geek wrote:
I go home, and I stay home, and I am home.
Certainly, with motion involved, there's no preposition: I went home, I ran home, I returned home...

Hi GG

That's certainly always true. However, especially in literary style and in upper-class British English there is a tendency to use at in all other cases. If Prime Minister James Hacker in a superb television series entitled Yes, Prime Minister were to tell somebody his whereabouts, I think he would say: I am at home.

In casual conversation people say: I'm home even in Britain.

Cheers
CB

Re: correct preposition/s

Doll — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 21:57:51 GMT

I only know the in forms of them. Maybe again it is that American/British English difference.