"Went to hospital" "Was at hospital"

[NFS4]

Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: NFS4

that sucks.

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

still

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Canai

Originally posted by: NFS4
Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

still

We Americans typically say, "I went to the hospital." They say "I went to hospital."

 

[Canai]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Canai

Originally posted by: NFS4
Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

still

We Americans typically say, "I went to the hospital." They say "I went to hospital."

oh. ok.

 

[Alone]

Well, just think about it.

"I went to church."

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Alone
Well, just think about it.

"I went to church."

True, true. I guess it just strikes me as funny whenever I hear "to hospital"

But what's the distinction? "Went to jail" "Went to church."

I could say "Went to mall" "Went to airport" but all I'd get would be blank stares

Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention in English class

 

[OutHouse]

"My nephew is at University"

 

[Alone]

Using "the" implies a specific destination.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Citrix
"My nephew is in University"

Fixed?

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Citrix
"My nephew is in University"

Fixed?

yes, thats how they say it.

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Citrix
"My nephew is in University"

Fixed?

yes, thats how they say it.

Are you sure?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Alone
Using "the" implies a specific destination.

So "went to hospital" would be specific for British, but unspecific for us? B/C I never hear them say "went to the hospital"

 

[Balt]

They also go on "holiday" instead of vacation.

I love those crazy Brits.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Citrix
"My nephew is in University"

Fixed?

yes, thats how they say it.

My nephew is in college
Dont we say that?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: Citrix

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: Citrix
"My nephew is in University"

Fixed?

yes, thats how they say it.

My nephew is in college
Dont we say that?

Your mom went to college

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: NFS4
Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

er.. i went to jail?!

 

[redgtxdi]

Hmmm...........I find it unusual too.

Some food for thought..........



Hospital is a building.

Yes, church is a building though I think we reference more as "church service". (i.e. I went to church service today.)


Here's one that'll put a wrench in it all...........


1.) I went to emergency.

2.) I went to the ER.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: NFS4
Don't quite get british phrases sometimes. Where's the "the"

er.. i went to jail?!

I know, I know. I acknowledge that up above.

I guess the real question is what is the distinction between went to "jail", "church" vs the "the airport" or "the post office"

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Stop trying to understand English, it's unpossible.

 

[sdifox]

The hospital implies specific one, presumably the recipient knows which already.

 

[randomint]

my main gripe with the british accent is that whenever they pronounce a word ending in "a" they make it seem like it ends in "ar"

example: australia sounds like australiar

uggghh! i hate it!

 

[Alone]

Originally posted by: randomint
my main gripe with the british accent is that whenever they pronounce a word ending in "a" they make it seem like it ends in "ar"

example: australia sounds like australiar

uggghh! i hate it!

I think you're wrong.

 

[randomint]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: randomint
my main gripe with the british accent is that whenever they pronounce a word ending in "a" they make it seem like it ends in "ar"

example: australia sounds like australiar

uggghh! i hate it!

I think you're wrong.

no i don't think so.

 

[randomint]

Originally posted by: Alone

Originally posted by: randomint
my main gripe with the british accent is that whenever they pronounce a word ending in "a" they make it seem like it ends in "ar"

example: australia sounds like australiar

uggghh! i hate it!

I think you're wrong.

I KNEW there was a NAME for it!