0
Mrrobinangel Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Figures and numbers

Have others noticed the shift from the traditional" figures" in the statistical sense, e.g. "economic figures" to the American " numbers"? Even Tim Harford on the BBC now says "numbers".

  

Top answer

g. "economic figures" to the American " numbers"? Even Tim Harford on the BBC now says "numbers".

— CalifJim

  • g.
  • "economic figures" to the American " numbers"?
  • Even Tim Harford on the BBC now says "numbers".
  • I have not noticed this.
  • Nor have I noticed that Americans say "numbers" in the cited context, and I'm American.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
mrrobinangel

Have others noticed the shift from the traditional" figures" in the statistical sense, e.g. "economic figures" to the American " numbers"? Even Tim Harford on the BBC now says "numbers".

I have not noticed this. Nor have I noticed that Americans say "numbers" in the cited context, and I'm American.

CJ

0
0

As a BrE speaker, I don't personally perceive "economic numbers" to be particularly American.

Google Ngrams shows "economic numbers" relatively more popular in AmE than BrE, compared to "economic figures", but "economic figures" is still well ahead. I'm not sure, though, how much these stats could be

0

Related Questions