Versus

“go into hospital” vs. “go into the hospital”

Outsider's Perspective, Versus

This post is not about a problem, explanation, and solution.

Instead, it’s about a difference between British English and American English.

Americans and the British use “going to school” and “going to town” without a definite or indefinite article preceding the noun.

Where Americans and the British part ways is with hospitals: Americans put the definite article (“the”) in front of “hospital” whereas the British do not.

  • British English: “go into hospital” or “when I was in hospital”
  • American English: “go into the hospital” or “when I was in the hospital”

I don’t know the source of this difference, but it continues to fascinate me (as does the difference between “Americans” and “the British”).

“Bring” vs. “Carry”

Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Verbs, Versus

Just as I often hear “bring” when the speaker means “take” instead, I often hear speakers confuse “carry” with “bring”.

Problem:
The verbs “bring” and “carry” are not interchangeable.

Explanation:
One should use “carry” when one is telling the listener to transport something to a location other than where one currently resides.

One should use “bring” when one is telling the listener to transport something to a location where one currently resides.

I believe that the use of “bring” instead of “carry” supports my “Devolution toward Simpler” hypothesis. The verb “bring” (with one syllable) is simpler to say than is “carry” (with two syllables).

Solution:
Use “bring” when the person making the request is at the destination.
Use “carry” when the person making the request is NOT at the destination.

“Invite” vs. “Invitation”

Common English Blunders, Devolution toward Simpler, Nouns, Verbs, Versus

I increasingly hear “invite” where “invitation” is required.

Problem:
The word “invite” is not a noun.

Explanation:
Sentences such as “I’ll send you an invite.” or “Could she send them an invite?” drive me crazy.

How lazy can one be?!

The word “invite” is a verb, not a noun.

We have a perfectly good noun for what is intended: “invitation”.

I believe that this growing tendency to use “invite” where “invitation” is required is consistent with my “Devolution toward Simpler” hypothesis.

It’s simpler to say or write the two-syllable “invite” than the four-syllable “invitation”.

Solution:
Use “invite” when you need a verb; use “invitation” when you need a noun.