Our power went off. Correct?

[Naeem Afzal]

Hi teachers,

Our power went off. Correct?
Our electricity went off. Correct?
There's a cut in our power/ electricity. Correct?


Many thanks.

 

[Barb_D]

As an American, I'd say the power or electricity went "out." I think that usage is not universal.
"Power cut" is not used much in the US, but I believe it's the most common way to say it elsewhere.

 

[Naeem Afzal]

Can we use "our power/electricity"?
"There's a cut in our power/electricity. Incorrect?

 

[SoothingDave]

I would only say "cut" for a deliberate action. Like "they cut the power to the alarm system prior to breaking into the bank."

 

[emsr2d2]

BrE:

We've had a power cut.
The electricity's/power's gone off.

I wouldn't say "Our electricity/power" in normal conversation but if I rang the power company to find out what was going on, I would say "My electricity's [gone] off".

 

[Odessa Dawn]

***NOT A TEACHER***

Additionally, power died.

 

[emsr2d2]

***NOT A TEACHER***

Additionally, power died.

No. That is unnatural and incorrect. The power on your computer or your mobile phone might die but that means it has simply run out of charge. It's not the same as a power cut at all.

 

[Odessa Dawn]

Thank you, ems, and agreed. But what does the below underlined words talk about, please?

"Rather than criticizing or comparing, I try to ask what’s behind the use of chopsticks, the way traffic “works,” or how people manage when power dies on a regular basis".

 

[emsr2d2]

I find that use very unnatural too even though it's clear that the writer means that there are regular power cuts.