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This could also be AIBU to expect better of the BBC!

(8 Posts)
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phoenix Sun 02-Jul-17 03:51:28

Please, please, pretty please understand the very basic principle of different from and similar to .

BBC reporters/announcers/correspondents should get this right, getting it wrong should result in some sort of punishment, perhaps being forced to spend a month reporting on the day to day activities of the society for the preservation of the earthworm, or monitoring the movement of traffic on the M 25.

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Christinefrance Sun 02-Jul-17 08:07:10

It is so irritating phoenix from people who should know the difference. I was always taught that you differ from and liken to.

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Smithy Sun 02-Jul-17 08:40:10

Agree Phoenix. But you must try not to let it keep you awake at night.

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Nannarose Sun 02-Jul-17 10:04:18

My copy of 'Fowler' says that 'different' can be followed by either 'with' or 'to'.

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phoenix Sun 02-Jul-17 17:00:25

"Different with shock

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phoenix Sun 02-Jul-17 17:02:17

Smithy it wasn't actually keeping me awake, just prone to the odd night of insomnia blush

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trisher Sun 02-Jul-17 17:21:20

My Oxford dictionary says all 3 are right. "Different from and different than are described as American English
different to as British English.
The example given for different to includes a negative- The Royal Academy is no different to any other museum.

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RosieLeah Mon 10-Jul-17 15:00:50

The BBC used to be the epitome of British correctness. Now
the standards have dropped to the same level of corruption as the rest of our modern society. So many people admire the Americans and copy their example, which is a poor choice as the Americans tend to downgrade everything from the pronunciation of surnames to English grammar.

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