What is the difference between "enter a university" and "enter university"?
I am going to make up two similar sentences below.
(1) John wants to enter university next year.
(2) John wants to enter a university next year.
I think there is a subtle difference in meaning between the sentences. I guess (1) without an article refers to the level of education whereas (2) with an article talks about the geographical location of a university. Please explain the difference. Thank you very much for your help.
Top answer
ansonguy Please explain the difference. I only know one difference. a university is American English.
- ansonguy Please explain the difference.
- I only know one difference.
- a university is American English.
- university is British English.
- The meaning is the same.
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ansonguyPlease explain the difference.
I only know one difference.
a university is American English.
university is British English.
The meaning is the same.
CJ
0The differences between British and American English also complicate this.
#1 seems more typical of British English, meaning to enroll in a university-level curriculum. Americans do not typically say this.
#2 in American English means that John wants to apply to some university somewhere and get accepted.
0It may be that the word "university" is English while "a university" is American. But I think we can find ourselves in a similar situation by substituting a different word, to get rid of the Englishness of it.
1) John wants to go to college next year.
2) John wants to go to a college next year.
1) is in very common use in America. 2) is perfectly good grammar and
0
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