11-23-2012, 10:07 PM | #1 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,981
Karma: 11862367
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Sony Reader PRS-T2
|
Regional English differences
I have to plead ignorance on this, however is it true "Sign out, and sign in as a different user" is British English whereas "Sign out and sign in as a different user" is American English?
Google think so: that is what happens when you switch between English (United Kingdom) and English (United States) in their Google Drive application under Windows 7! |
11-25-2012, 08:01 AM | #2 |
Official Lurker
Posts: 1,050
Karma: 7096675
Join Date: Apr 2012
Device: Kindle 3.4
|
It's because either most of us americans don't know how to use commas, or someone at Google just typed it differently than the other.
|
Advert | |
|
11-26-2012, 12:09 AM | #3 |
Murderous Mustela
Posts: 10,196
Karma: 47842158
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer
Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite
|
Generally we do not put a comma between only two non-contrasting clauses in a short sentence.
Last edited by Dylrob; 11-26-2012 at 12:22 AM. |
11-26-2012, 03:39 PM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 8,512
Karma: 64095689
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harrisburg outskirts
Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1
|
In fact, we are specifically TAUGHT that line. I rather prefer that the comma should be present, but we are taught not to use it. Maybe we are running out of commas? Are they over-hunted?
|
11-26-2012, 03:44 PM | #5 |
Member Retired
Posts: 1,999
Karma: 11348924
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Limbo
Device: none
|
Come on, aren't we splitting hairs in this thread ?
|
Advert | |
|
11-26-2012, 03:57 PM | #6 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 8,512
Karma: 64095689
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Harrisburg outskirts
Device: Palms, K1-4s, iPads, iPhones, KV, KO1
|
Yeah, but some people (like editors and typesetters) care about this particular hair.
|
11-27-2012, 06:44 AM | #7 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 19,226
Karma: 67780237
Join Date: Jul 2011
Device: none
|
^Agreed. In Canada we were taught not to use the comma as shown above. We do still spell things with a u though. Colour, humour, etc.
|
11-27-2012, 04:14 PM | #8 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 16,731
Karma: 12185114
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Florida
Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3
|
A really interesting book on the subject is The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson. You will learn fascinating things about English including, among many others, that the single most understood word in the entire world is an English one. And it is an artificial word, invented by a bunch of upper middle class school boys in Boston at the turn of the century (19th to 20th).
You'll also learn how we ended up making plurals with an 's' rather than the Anglo Saxon way, by adding an 'en'. Interestingly enough there are still at least four words we still make plural with an 'en' |
11-27-2012, 05:35 PM | #9 | |
Cannon Fodder
Posts: 2,832
Karma: 50921712
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Probably a library
Device: PRS-350, Kindle DX, Kindle Paperwhite
|
Quote:
I have Bryson's Dictionary of Troublesome Words. Bill can make a dictionary interesting! I love reading his books. |
|
12-02-2012, 10:54 PM | #10 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,981
Karma: 11862367
Join Date: Apr 2008
Device: Sony Reader PRS-T2
|
Apparently the comma is more important than I first thought! http://www.newscientist.com/article/...opyright.html?
|
12-21-2012, 03:39 PM | #11 | |
Holy S**T!!!
Posts: 5,213
Karma: 108401
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Diego, California!!
Device: Kindle and iPad
|
Quote:
|
|
12-21-2012, 03:42 PM | #12 |
Holy S**T!!!
Posts: 5,213
Karma: 108401
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: San Diego, California!!
Device: Kindle and iPad
|
Rats .... not available for Kindle. I'll have to see if the local library has it, or if it is available digitally elsewhere.
|
12-21-2012, 03:42 PM | #13 |
Not scared!
Posts: 13,424
Karma: 81011643
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midlands, UK
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10
|
People probably know this, but it's also where I learnt what 'ghoti' spells.
Cracking book - I've reread it many times for the sheer enjoyment of it. |
12-21-2012, 04:25 PM | #14 |
Addict
Posts: 304
Karma: 2454436
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: PRS-505, PRS-650, iPad, Samsung Galaxy SII (JB), Google Nexus 7 (2013)
|
|
12-21-2012, 04:26 PM | #15 |
Not scared!
Posts: 13,424
Karma: 81011643
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Midlands, UK
Device: Kindle Paperwhite 10, Huawei M5 10
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Touch Regional lock-in? | xenoglaux | Kobo Reader | 6 | 01-05-2012 02:46 AM |
Anyway to bypass regional restrictions? | seagull | General Discussions | 49 | 05-16-2010 09:07 AM |
An email from Amazon (regional restrictions) | DawnFalcon | News | 32 | 12-25-2009 05:06 PM |
Regional restrictions now in the UK | tech_au | News | 166 | 10-26-2009 02:52 PM |
Regional copyright quesiton on MR books | boydcarts | Feedback | 8 | 02-22-2009 01:50 PM |