Saying that "someone is in hospital" vs "someone is in the hospital"

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PlanetJosh

PlanetJosh

Golden Member
May 6, 2013
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I do believe the normal way to say it in America is "he is in the hospital" or "she was admitted to the hospital." So what's with dropping the "the" in Europe and Asia? Is "he is in hospital" or "she was admitted to hospital" some kind of broken English or a cultural language thing?

Do the Asians and Brits go around saying "he is in clinic" too?

Edit: And let not stop there, do they say "she is in medical facility" as if absolutely nothing is wrong with it? Btw "And let not stop", get it?
 
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BoomerD

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
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You're trying to make sense out of "British English?"

aad.gif
 
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brainhulk

brainhulk

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2007
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Down here in southern California, when we refer to freeways, we precede the name with "the".

I am on the 405 freeway.
I am on the Santa Monica freeway.

I am told nobody else does that.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
E

Exterous

Super Moderator
Jun 20, 2006
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brainhulk said:
Down here in southern California, when we refer to freeways, we precede the name with "the".

I am on the 405 freeway.
I am on the Santa Monica freeway.

I am told nobody else does that.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Huh. I've spent a decent amount of time traveling to and working with Californians. Thinking about how I would say it I would say "the 405" when talking about California freeways but would say "I'm on 94" when talking about I-94 in Michigan. Just seems natural and I never made the connection about the difference
 
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Pohemi

Pohemi

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Oct 2, 2004
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Exterous said:
Huh. I've spent a decent amount of time traveling to and working with Californians. Thinking about how I would say it I would say "the 405" when talking about California freeways but would say "I'm on 94" when talking about I-94 in Michigan. Just seems natural and I never made the connection about the difference
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Yep. In Vancouver, Washington and the Portland, OR area, it was always, "Taking the 5 into the city" or "getting on the 205 South to cross the Columbia."

Here in the midwest, 'the' typically gets dropped from speech/convo like you said. "I'm on I-41 to Milwaukee" or "I'm taking 90-94 West to Minneapolis."

Never crossed my mind until now either the differences from this area to the coast, but I HAVE noticed the 'in hospital' phrase recently and was irked by it.
 
C

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
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brainhulk said:
Down here in southern California, when we refer to freeways, we precede the name with "the".
Click to expand...

Actually, the distinguishing thing about Southern Californians is that they refer to distance by driving time, rather than miles. "Oh, that's about 30 minutes" instead of "That's about 8 miles".
 
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Pohemi

Pohemi

Lifer
Oct 2, 2004
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Craig234 said:
Actually, the distinguishing thing about Southern Californians is that they refer to distance by driving time, rather than miles. "Oh, that's about 30 minutes" instead of "That's about 8 miles".
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Chicago is one of the only places in the midwest where mileage does not approximately come out to equivalent numbers of minutes for travel time. :tonguewink:
 
ISAslot

ISAslot

Platinum Member
Jan 22, 2001
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most things you can be 'in' require 'the' in american english it seems?
except for 'she's in school'. 'she's in the school' just sounds funny.
 
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VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
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PlanetJosh said:
I do believe the normal way to say it in America is "he is in the hospital" or "she was admitted to the hospital." So what's with dropping the "the" in Europe and Asia? Is "he is in hospital" or "she was admitted to hospital" some kind of broken English or a cultural language thing?
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No, just a Ponyo thing. He hasn't mastered using articles yet.
 
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zinfamous

zinfamous

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Jul 12, 2006
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brianmanahan said:
why do americans say "he is in school" or "she went to church", instead of "the school" and "the church"?
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Because we don't live in colonial times and there is, well, more than one of each of these things in 98% of where Americans live?
 
snoopy7548

snoopy7548

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2005
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What really buckles my britches is when someone says "My car's tires need replaced" instead of "My car's tires need to be replaced." I don't get it.
 
feralkid

feralkid

Lifer
Jan 28, 2002
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I'm getting used to people saying INsurance, as if it's to differentiate from OUTsurance.

-replying from West Consin.
 
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CZroe

CZroe

Lifer
Jun 24, 2001
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I am in Doctor's Office. I am in gas station. I am in work.

They seem to consider "in hospital" to be a status label, like "in progress" or "in transit" or "indisposed" or "unavailable."
 
dullard

dullard

Elite Member
May 21, 2001
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snoopy7548 said:
What really buckles my britches is when someone says "My car's tires need replaced" instead of "My car's tires need to be replaced." I don't get it.
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I nearly posted a similar reply earlier, then I decided against it. But your idea needs replied.

The words "to be" need used. My face needs cringed every time I hear "the dishes need washed", "the toilet needs flushed", "the bill needs paid", etc. Yet I know several people who always say things like that. It is like they need schooled.

This link needs posted: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/needs-washed
 
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