Thread: English

Hi!
I have a question for(to?) all (of?) you native English speakers. Can you say "in difference to" instead of "unlike"?

I wouldn't use it. For one thing, different or difference should be followed by "from" rather than "to". Another difficulty is that the two words "in difference" sound like "indifference" which is a noun meaning lack of interest in something. Indifference can be followed by to, for instance "my dog's indifference to cats is unusual." You wouldn't however want to say "my dogs in difference to cats can bark."

Bunbury, the Brits say "different to."

Okay, and what about the words that I put in brackets? Would you say a question to somebody or a question for somebody? Would you say all of you native English speakers or just all you native English speakers?
Thanks for your help!

Originally Posted by Harold14370

Bunbury, the Brits say "different to."

I'm a Brit by birth and while it's true Brits tend to say different to I maintain that it's not correct. I was brung up to speak proper.

Originally Posted by thyristor

Okay, and what about the words that I put in brackets? Would you say a question to somebody or a question for somebody? Would you say all of you native English speakers or just all you native English speakers?
Thanks for your help!

I have a question for all of you would be the correct form. However I might wish to direct a question to all of you would be correct also. Note that the decision to use for or to depends upon the verb you use. Thus one could also say, correctly, I wish to ask a question of all of you, or I wish to put a question to all of you.

All of you who are native speakers sounds, to my ear, most correct.

All of you native speakers is, I think, correct.

All you native speakers is colloquial and fine for conversation and informal writing.

Please note that I base my interpretation not on learned rules of grammar, but upon what I have learned 'sounds right'. If a grammarian comes along with contrary views but convincing rules you should follow their direction.

Edited: corrected their for there.

Thank you for shedding light on this matter.

Originally Posted by Bunbury

Originally Posted by Harold14370

Bunbury, the Brits say "different to."

I'm a Brit by birth and while it's true Brits tend to say different to I maintain that it's not correct. I was brung up to speak proper.

I hate bad grammar, even in jest.

Originally Posted by CrimsonViper

Originally Posted by Bunbury

Originally Posted by Harold14370

Bunbury, the Brits say "different to."

I'm a Brit by birth and while it's true Brits tend to say different to I maintain that it's not correct. I was brung up to speak proper.

I hate bad grammar, even in jest.

Then you should perhaps lighten up a little.