topic Re: Question On Proper Usage in Community Chat

Question On Proper Usage

Mama Mia — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:03:38 GMT

I always say going to "the hospital", or going to "the university", but now I always see it said "hospital" etc., no the. However I would say just "college". It may be my Midwest upbringing.

Any thoughts?

Re: Question On Proper Usage

Irshgrl31201 — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:05:15 GMT

The only people I hear refer to it that way are usually British or Australian.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

DoneTryin — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:07:45 GMT

I'm not an expert on grammar, but I'd say "to the hospital." If I'm attending college or university, I'd say "I'm going to ABC College" or "I'm going to XYZ University" if that makes any sense at all.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

Mama Mia — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:09:36 GMT

Irshgirl, right, the first time I heard it was years back in a Michael Douglas movie, but a poster somewhere in a thread today used it too.

Thanks much.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

sophiamarie — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:10:36 GMT

We go to ""the hospital"". I have heard the expression ""he's in hospital"" from people who are not from the U.S.

We go to college. He is attending university - or - he goes to the University of __________. I'm sure there are other opinions out there.....

Re: Question On Proper Usage

DoneTryin — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:12:45 GMT

I suppose it's regional. One of my co-workers, not U.S. born, told me recently that she & her family are "moving home." I'd never heard that phrase before; the rest of us around here would just saying we're "moving" to indicate we're moving into a new house, apartment, condo, etc.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

Mama Mia — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:18:55 GMT

Thanks to all of you!!

at least it's not just me.lol

Re: Question On Proper Usage

foundinlv — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:44:35 GMT

So and so is in hospital sounds odd to me but it's apparent that some yanks on the boards were imitating the Brits and Aussies. Don't know why the ""the"" was originally dropped.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

sidsmom — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:13:58 GMT

Maybe it depends on how many you have in the area. For instance, the Hospital & the University would translate (in my area) to the hospital, Baylor, and the university, SMU. If you're in an area of one, you would capitalize. And for university vs college, that's like lawyer vs attorney or doctor vs physician. Thoughts?

Re: Question On Proper Usage

hckynut — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:35:19 GMT

I have gone, been in/admitted/released/and got home from the hospital. I do not know how others speak but I personally say going to the hospital.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

Mama Mia — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:39:46 GMT

Interesting replies and I really appreciate your sharing them here. Thanks to everyone again!

Re: Question On Proper Usage

RainCityGirl — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:58:24 GMT

British English removes the article in front of hospital and university. American English uses the article. I don't know why that is; it just is.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

VanSleepy — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 00:00:32 GMT

On 3/25/2014 sidsmom said:
Maybe it depends on how many you have in the area. For instance, the Hospital & the University would translate (in my area) to the hospital, Baylor, and the university, SMU. If you're in an area of one, you would capitalize. And for university vs college, that's like lawyer vs attorney or doctor vs physician. Thoughts?

I don't know if there is a difference between doctor and physician or lawyer and attorney, but there is a difference between college and university. A university is many different colleges.

Re: Question On Proper Usage

stevieb — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 00:15:25 GMT

I think it's a Brit thing that some are adopting as an affectation...

Re: Question On Proper Usage

sylviahomeatlast — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:02:41 GMT

one of my super pet peeves is: ""graduated college"" instead of ""graduated FROM college""