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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
British vs American usage: earlier than vs. later than
I read on the first page of a recent book by British novelist Tom McCarthy the following, in reference to the authenticity of the shroud of Turin:
"A few decades later, when the shroud was radiocarbon dated, it turned out to come from no later than the mid-thirtheenth century; but this didn't trouble believers."
Shouldn't that read "no earlier than"? Im quite certain that would be correct in American English, but how about in British usage?
"A few decades later, when the shroud was radiocarbon dated, it turned out to come from no later than the mid-thirtheenth century; but this didn't trouble believers."
Shouldn't that read "no earlier than"? Im quite certain that would be correct in American English, but how about in British usage?
Top answer
We would expect 'earlier', but context might allow the possibility of 'later',
- We would expect 'earlier', but context might allow the possibility of 'later',
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1 Answers
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We would expect 'earlier', but context might allow the possibility of 'later',
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