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SuperESL Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Reckon
Hello, How common is the use of the word 'reckon,' in the sense of 'to think sth or to have an opinion about sth,' in North American English? as in:
"If the ancien régime, or at least a modified version of it, was to endure – reckoned nimble conservatives such as Metternich, Talleyrand and Castlereagh – then a broader international vision was required."
Some of my dictionaries say the word is a British informal word.
Thank you.
"If the ancien régime, or at least a modified version of it, was to endure – reckoned nimble conservatives such as Metternich, Talleyrand and Castlereagh – then a broader international vision was required."
Some of my dictionaries say the word is a British informal word.
Thank you.
Top answer
SuperESL Some of my dictionaries say the word is a British informal word. I'd say it is rather formal (in that use) in AmE. ', it is informal, antiquated, or regional.
- SuperESL Some of my dictionaries say the word is a British informal word.
- I'd say it is rather formal (in that use) in AmE.
- ', it is informal, antiquated, or regional.
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5 Answers
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SuperESLSome of my dictionaries say the word is a British informal word.I'd say it is rather formal (in that use) in AmE. In the phrase 'I reckon that...', it is informal, antiquated, or regional.
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I frequently heard it among New England farmers, and in old cowboy movies.
I remember the end of the theme song of one of the singing cowboys,
How it beckons, and I reckon,
I would work for any wage,
To be free again, just to be again,
Where the bloom is on the sage.
Probably Roy Rogers or Gene Autry.
I remember the end of the theme song of one of the singing cowboys,
How it beckons, and I reckon,
I would work for any wage,
To be free again, just to be again,
Where the bloom is on the sage.
Probably Roy Rogers or Gene Autry.
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Thank you.
But allow me to pursue this a bit further. Exactly how do you distinguish between the formal and informal usages of 'reckon.' So it is considered informal only in "I reckon" (but not in "she reckons" or "they reckon" or when used in the passive voice "it is generally reckoned......")?
Thank you.
But allow me to pursue this a bit further. Exactly how do you distinguish between the formal and informal usages of 'reckon.' So it is considered informal only in "I reckon" (but not in "she reckons" or "they reckon" or when used in the passive voice "it is generally reckoned......")?
Thank you.
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There's definitely a grey area.
There's usually some form of calculation involved in the formal usage. The more involved the calculation, the more likely it is to be formal.
There's usually some form of calculation involved in the formal usage. The more involved the calculation, the more likely it is to be formal.
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