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Bassa Posted 15 years ago
Grammar
Is this correct in American English Language?
If someone calls me while I'm at a hospital and I don't know him/her, which one is correct to say in (American English Language) and why:
a)I'm at a hospital I can't talk with you.
b)I'm at hospital I can't talk with you.
c)I'm at the hospital I can't talk with you.
Thanks
a)I'm at a hospital I can't talk with you.
b)I'm at hospital I can't talk with you.
c)I'm at the hospital I can't talk with you.
Thanks
Top answer
Are you sick in a hospital or visiting someone who is in a hospital? American say " in the hospital " when they are sick and being treated. They say " at a hospital " or " at the hospital " if they are visiting someone else who is sick and being treated, or if they are working there.
- Are you sick in a hospital or visiting someone who is in a hospital?
- American say " in the hospital " when they are sick and being treated.
- They say " at a hospital " or " at the hospital " if they are visiting someone else who is sick and being treated, or if they are working there.
- a)I'm at a hospital .
- I can't talk with you.
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8 Answers
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Are you sick in a hospital or visiting someone who is in a hospital?
American say "in the hospital" when they are sick and being treated.
They say "at a hospital" or "at the hospital" if they are visiting someone else who is sick and being treated, or if they are working there.
a)I'm at a hospital. I can't talk with you. OK
b)I'm a
American say "in the hospital" when they are sick and being treated.
They say "at a hospital" or "at the hospital" if they are visiting someone else who is sick and being treated, or if they are working there.
a)I'm at a hospital. I can't talk with you. OK
b)I'm a
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I would say:
I'm at a hospital; I can't talk to you (now).
American usage requires an article ("a" or "the").
"The" refers to a particular hospital known to the caller. You don't know him, so he doesn't know the hospital. However, "a hospital" informs him of the general situation. (Most hospitals have rules against using cell phones.)
I'm at a hospital; I can't talk to you (now).
American usage requires an article ("a" or "the").
"The" refers to a particular hospital known to the caller. You don't know him, so he doesn't know the hospital. However, "a hospital" informs him of the general situation. (Most hospitals have rules against using cell phones.)
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Thanks
I'm visiting someone in a hospital.
I would say (I'm at a hospital) because the person who is calling does
I'm visiting someone in a hospital.
I would say (I'm at a hospital) because the person who is calling does
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Note:
I would say (I'm at a hospital) because ... < not correct
I would say "I'm at a hospital" because ... < correct
CJ
I would say (I'm at a hospital) because ... < not correct
I would say "I'm at a hospital" because ... < correct
CJ
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bassaI would say,"I'm at a hospital," because the person who is calling doesn't know which hospital I'm in, right?Yes, but in real life, people often respond "I'm at the hospital." without thinking. If they live in a small town with only one hospital, then the natural reply would be: "I'm at the hospital."
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