0
Hxcboatcaptain Posted 19 years ago
Linguistics Studies
Difference between European English and US English.
I've noticed, mostly from British television programs, some discrepancies between the two "versions" of the English language. American English speakers consider groups of people to be a singular noun. IE, in America, you would say, "The audience was rising to their feet." European English consider groups, such as an audience, to be a plural noun. Across the pond, you would say, "The audience were rising to their feet."
Which of these is correct? Or is neither more correct than the other?
Which of these is correct? Or is neither more correct than the other?
Top answer
Very observant! Yes, there is a tendency for AmE and BrE to differ in this way. Either way is fine.
- Very observant!
- Yes, there is a tendency for AmE and BrE to differ in this way.
- Either way is fine.
- CJ
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
28 Answers
0
Very observant! Yes, there is a tendency for AmE and BrE to differ in this way. Either way is fine.
CJ
CJ
00
Hi,
I guess I must live a sheltered life, because I've never heard the expression European English before.
In my experience, many British people don't even think of themselves as part of Europe (ie the British Isles are just 'near Europe'.
I guess I must live a sheltered life, because I've never heard the expression European English before.
In my experience, many British people don't even think of themselves as part of Europe (ie the British Isles are just 'near Europe'.
00
I wanted to include all of Europe since there are more English-speaking countries outside of Great Britain.
00
The audience were rising to their feet.
The audience was rising to their feet.
Some grammarians consider the second sentence to be wrong as 'were' should be used with 'their' (both plural).
The audience was rising to their feet.
Some grammarians consider the second sentence to be wrong as 'were' should be used with 'their' (both plural).
00
Hi,
I wanted to include all of Europe since there are more English-speaking countries outside of Great Britain.
Well, there's Ireland, of course, which is yet another 'island off the coast of Europe', and which is partly an English possession.
I wanted to include all of Europe since there are more English-speaking countries outside of Great Britain.
Well, there's Ireland, of course, which is yet another 'island off the coast of Europe', and which is partly an English possession.
00
I'd stick to calling it British English.
On your logic, you'd have to call American English something else as well, as loads of other countries speak that version of English. There are more speakers of American English than there are in America, the same as there are more speakers of British English than there are in Britain. But they are still called British English and American English.
On your logic, you'd have to call American English something else as well, as loads of other countries speak that version of English. There are more speakers of American English than there are in America, the same as there are more speakers of British English than there are in Britain. But they are still called British English and American English.
00
HxcboatcaptainI wanted to include all of Europe since there are more English-speaking countries outside of Great Britain.What are these countries in Europe besides Ireland?
00
Clivemany British people don't even think of themselves as part of EuropeThat's just slum prudery. The fact is they are part of Europe geographically and after several referenda, all with positive outcomes, the UK is a key player in Europe, both politically and ecomomically.
CliveWell, there's Ireland, of course, which is yet ano
00
slum prudery? Interesting turn of phrase. I think it is pretty true that a lot of British people don't consider us as part of Europe in quite the same way as other Europeans. Politically, yes. But geographically, no. We are happy to talk about 'going to Europe'. I'm sure it seems peverse to outsiders but it's a common attitude in all sectors of our society.
No other European countries hav
No other European countries hav
00
I remember seeing this headline in a British newspaper once:
British Man Missing in Europe
And I remember finding that headline quite humorous.
British Man Missing in Europe
And I remember finding that headline quite humorous.
0
Related Questions