[Suggestion] A list of word/phrases for the non-native english users

[Michael_Denmark]

Okay. I have been in this community for a long time now. I have communicated a lot with non-native English users as well as native ones but still today there's a lot of words, phrases, sayings that I either don't understand or don't know for sure how they sound in an native English ears?

Stuff like one or I when addressing my self

Stuff like how to end a conversation using cheers, best regards, bye, later and so forth

Stuff like Dude, mate, fellow


Basically I am trying to suggest a list of words/phrases/sayings that both native and non-native.Come to think of it, does the expression "native English" sound wrong/weirdupper-class/lower-clas in a ...native english ear?

[V3N0N_br]

Up on this...
I would also suggest an explanation that would enlighten us on the differences between freeway, highway, expressway, road, etc

[gazzthompson]

a few i use


nackered

"cant be assed" = cant be bothered

ill get more.

[Scot]

Originally Posted by V3N0N_br

Up on this...
I would also suggest an explanation that would enlighten us on the differences between freeway, highway, expressway, road, etc

I personally have no idea Have to ask a yank i guess

[Colonelcool125]

Originally Posted by V3N0N_br

Up on this...
I would also suggest an explanation that would enlighten us on the differences between freeway, highway, expressway, road, etc

I'm sure there's a technical difference, but I (and a lot of people in America) use them interchangeably.

In a general sense, a road has less traffic and less lanes than a highway/freeway/expressway/whatever you call it.

[HughJass]

Originally Posted by Colonelcool125

I'm sure there's a technical difference, but I (and a lot of people in America) use them interchangeably.

In a general sense, a road has less traffic and less lanes than a highway/freeway/expressway/whatever you call it.

america wise, the things you go fast on = highway, freeway, expressway

regular roads with under 55 mph = road

streets in suburban areas, with houses around the street = side street

[TheAmazingYant]

Yeah, freeway, highway, expressway, interstate, parkway, turnpike, and beltway are only used for high speed, high traffic capacity roads - they're mostly the same as an autobahn. There are, technically, some slight differences in their meanings. There's instances where "highway" can refer to a smaller road, but that is kind of an arbitrary designation. The name "expressway" is mostly used for inner city highways designed to relive traffic, and allow people to quickly get from one side of town to another. Interstates are specifically designated roads as well, and primarily refers to the long, cross country routes (I-90 runs nearly 3100 miles, or almost 5000km). Parkway, Turnpike, and Beltway are rarely used.

It's easiest to just refer as all those types of roads as highways or freeways. There's no way you can confuse people on your meaning with that. Anything smaller - the standard roads with stop signs and traffic lights - can be called roads or streets, both are acceptable general terms.

Also keep in mind that you drive on an parkway, and you park on a driveway. No one has any idea who came up with that.

From some of the words you used above: "mate", "fellow", "cheers" are all British words, or at the least rarely used in America. There's actually a lot of differences between American English and... English English? I doubt "dude" is used much there, which it's widely used in the U.S. However the differences are not great enough to make communication difficult.

"Dude", by the way, is a very informal way to refer to a man. Save it for male friends, and never use it with someone are trying to show respect to, such as a boss.

Also, don't refer to Americans as "Yanks". Yankee only describes people from the American North East (New York, Boston, etc.), and the rest of the country uses the word as an insult, like calling a southerner a "hick" or "redneck".

"Native English Speaker" sounds just fine to me.

If you have anything else, go ahead and ask.

[Cobhris]

Originally Posted by V3N0N_br

Up on this...
I would also suggest an explanation that would enlighten us on the differences between freeway, highway, expressway, road, etc

A road is basically any paved or unpaved pathway designated for use by automobiles.
A side street is a small, two lane road designed not as a primary travel route, but to provide homes and businesses with access to the main roads.



Technically:A highway refers to any road that is part of the Interstate Highway System, the US Numbered Highway System, or a state highway network. A freeway/expressway is a limited access highway, meaning that the highway can only be legally entered at designated entry and exit ramps.

Freeway=Highway=Expressway in most common usage.

[Michael_Denmark]

Thx so far, please keep it coming, so we at some point can post a decent list.

[Warpig-]

"How's it going?" Would probably be the most formal greeting we use, other than that it get's very in formal

As for Cheers, use it like the word thanks. For example

"Top shot mate, you nailed that guy with an RPG" "Cheers"