difference between "get off" and "get down&qu

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Anonymous

Guest
1. Would you please clarify the distinction between "getoff" and "getdown"? Which one is preferable in the following sentence.
----I shall (getdown/getoff) in the next station.
2. Why don't we use idioms in the written english?
 

whl626

Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
English
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Malaysia
While you are on a bus I think to say ' get off ' in the next station is more appropriate.

We can use idioms in written english :) what's wrong with that :)
 

Red5

Webmaster, UsingEnglish.com
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Native Language
British English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
I would "get off" at the next station. ;-)
 

RonBee

Moderator
Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
What Red said.

:wink:
 

shane

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Member Type
Student or Learner
I dare say that I would get down at the next station if I were sitting on top of the bus. :wink:
 

RonBee

Moderator
Joined
Feb 9, 2003
Member Type
Other
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
shane said:
I dare say that I would get down at the next station if I were sitting on top of the bus. :wink:

:wink:
 

Casiopea

VIP Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2003
Member Type
Other
Me thinks "get off" has its origin in "get down (the steps) off (of the X)", in the same way that "get on" has its origins in "get (up) on(to the X)"

Before buses, there were carriages (not that I'd know that from personal experience :oops: ), the steps of which people had to "get up onto" and "get down off of".

To my knowledge, speakers, albeit traditional users, do in fact say, "Can I get down here?" , "Can you let me down here?"

Cas :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top