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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Way vs. ways
Is it correct to say it is a long ways to go or it is a long way to go
Top answer
In standard English it should be "a long way to go". In British English, few people say "a long ways" (in my experience). I believe "a long ways" is more common and more accepted in American English, but I'm assuming that even in American English it is non-standard.
- In standard English it should be "a long way to go".
- In British English, few people say "a long ways" (in my experience).
- I believe "a long ways" is more common and more accepted in American English, but I'm assuming that even in American English it is non-standard.
- )
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6 Answers
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In standard English it should be "a long way to go".
In British English, few people say "a long ways" (in my experience). I believe "a long ways" is more common and more accepted in American English, but I'm assuming that even in American English it is non-standard. (If I'm wrong then hopefully an AmE speaker here will correct me.)
In British English, few people say "a long ways" (in my experience). I believe "a long ways" is more common and more accepted in American English, but I'm assuming that even in American English it is non-standard. (If I'm wrong then hopefully an AmE speaker here will correct me.)
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My two cents.
ways is so commonly used for way that I believe it has already become standard in American English. I may be wrong though. Standardization may still be a ways off.
ways is so commonly used for way that I believe it has already become standard in American English. I may be wrong though. Standardization may still be a ways off.
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CalifJimways is so commonly used for way that I believe it has already become standard in American English.So would it be accepted even in formal writing?
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Mr Wordyeven in formal writing?I doubt it, but I don't feel qualified to give the definitive answer on this one.
CJ
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CalifJimI doubt it, but I don't feel qualified to give the definitive answer on this one.Actually, looking back at my post, I don't think I really meant to say I thought it was "non-standard" in AmE. I think I just meant I thought it was casual.
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Isn't it amazing how our attention is drawn to what we've been thinking about lately?
Just this afternoon I heard "ways" on a political discussion show, which I would consider semi-formal. This was not an academic discussion and not a presidential address, but highly informed and educated journalists summarizing the week's political news. Gloria Borger of CNN (network TV) was on the pa
Just this afternoon I heard "ways" on a political discussion show, which I would consider semi-formal. This was not an academic discussion and not a presidential address, but highly informed and educated journalists summarizing the week's political news. Gloria Borger of CNN (network TV) was on the pa
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