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Usenet Posted 18 years ago
Usage
Is it "in hospital" or "in the hospital" for British vs American english?
I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were in hospital" when it reminded me of an earlier set of news stories about Singapore which also made liberal use of the phrase 'in hospital' instead of the correct "in THE hospital".
At first I thought it was just poor english, but, now ... I wonder.
Is it possible the British english uses "in hospital" while (whilst) the American english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE?
What is th rule for this english usage?
At first I thought it was just poor english, but, now ... I wonder.
Is it possible the British english uses "in hospital" while (whilst) the American english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE?
What is th rule for this english usage?
Top answer
[nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ... english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE? [/nq] The rules are: 1.
- [nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ...
- english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE?
- [/nq] The rules are: 1.
- Never say that something that is customary usage in anothercountry is not the "correct" usage.
- 2.
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67 Answers
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[nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ... english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE? What is th rule for this english usage?[/nq]
The rules are:
1. Never say that something that is customary usage in anothercountry is not the "correct" usage.
2. Always capitalize "English" when referr
The rules are:
1. Never say that something that is customary usage in anothercountry is not the "correct" usage.
2. Always capitalize "English" when referr
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[nq:1]2. Always capitalize "English" when referring to the people or the language.[/nq]
I did capitalize it properly.
But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not?
Anyone know?
I did capitalize it properly.
But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not?
Anyone know?
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[nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ... the phrase 'in hospital' instead of the correct "in THE hospital". At first I thought it was just poor english,[/nq]
English (note capital)
[nq:1]but, now ... I wonder. Is it possible the British english[/nq]
English
[nq:1]uses "in hospital" while (whilst) the Ameri
English (note capital)
[nq:1]but, now ... I wonder. Is it possible the British english[/nq]
English
[nq:1]uses "in hospital" while (whilst) the Ameri
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[nq:2]2. Always capitalize "English" when referring to the people or the language.[/nq]
[nq:1]I did capitalize it properly.[/nq]
You're mistaken; see below.
[nq:1]But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not? Anyone know?[/nq]
Yes; entirely standard and correct.
For what it's worth, you did not capitalise it properly, as you asked about "the Briti
[nq:1]I did capitalize it properly.[/nq]
You're mistaken; see below.
[nq:1]But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not? Anyone know?[/nq]
Yes; entirely standard and correct.
For what it's worth, you did not capitalise it properly, as you asked about "the Briti
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[nq:2]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying ... the THE? What is th rule for this english usage?[/nq]
[nq:1]The rules are: 1. Never say that something that is customary usage in another country is not the "correct" usage. 2. Always capitalize "English" when referring to the people or the language.[/nq]
In answer to your questions,
Yes, it is correct British-English usage
[nq:1]The rules are: 1. Never say that something that is customary usage in another country is not the "correct" usage. 2. Always capitalize "English" when referring to the people or the language.[/nq]
In answer to your questions,
Yes, it is correct British-English usage
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[nq:1]On 14 Jul 2008, Susan wrote[/nq]
Right. Perhaps it may seem a bit more reasonable if you consider "in prison", "in jail", "in high school", etc. The British usage with "hospital" follows the same pattern, in that what's focussed on is more a status or condition than a location. "He's been in jail four times, but never twice in the same one."
Mike.
Right. Perhaps it may seem a bit more reasonable if you consider "in prison", "in jail", "in high school", etc. The British usage with "hospital" follows the same pattern, in that what's focussed on is more a status or condition than a location. "He's been in jail four times, but never twice in the same one."
Mike.
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[nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ... just poor english, but, now ... I wonder. Is it possible the British english uses "in hospital" while (whilst) the[/nq]
It is possible, but no one knows for sure. Two ships were sent to Britain to learn more about this, but one sank and the other has not been heard from.
[n
It is possible, but no one knows for sure. Two ships were sent to Britain to learn more about this, but one sank and the other has not been heard from.
[n
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[nq:2]2. Always capitalize "English" when referring to the people or the language.[/nq]
[nq:1]I did capitalize it properly.[/nq]
No. Your message contained several instances of "english".
[nq:1]But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not? Anyone know?[/nq]
Yes, we do use "in hospital" for a patient. "Musika" has explained the usage clearly.
Alan Jones
[nq:1]I did capitalize it properly.[/nq]
No. Your message contained several instances of "english".
[nq:1]But do the Brits use "in hospital" (versus "in the hospital") or not? Anyone know?[/nq]
Yes, we do use "in hospital" for a patient. "Musika" has explained the usage clearly.
Alan Jones
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[nq:1]I'm reading a book about Malta and they keep saying "he was in hospital", "they were in hospital", "we were ... english would never say "he was in hostpital" without adding the THE? What is th rule for this english usage?[/nq]
Grammar of the word differs slightly depending on the dialect. In the U.S., hospital usually requires an article; in Britain and elsewhere, the word is normally us
Grammar of the word differs slightly depending on the dialect. In the U.S., hospital usually requires an article; in Britain and elsewhere, the word is normally us
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[nq:1]Right. Perhaps it may seem a bit more reasonable if you consider "in prison", "in jail"...[/nq]
But we also say "in the pokey" and "in the slammer" and "in the Big House."
But we also say "in the pokey" and "in the slammer" and "in the Big House."
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