Belated reply re: "the" wife

[Bob Haas]

Andrea, would you address this state of being vs. location phenomenon in regards to
higher education?  I'm thinking of the British "at university" vs. the more
American "in college."  Or have I got it wrong?

"A. Vine" wrote:

> But "in the hospital" is an expression, having no bearing on whether there is
> one or many area hospital(s).  Not sure if "in the bed" is an expression in your
> example.
>
> Perhaps to get away from the connotation of "the" referring to a known hospital,
> the English say "in hospital".  It's more of a state, as in "in school" vs. "at
> school".  When talking about my father who is a doctor, I don't say, "he's in
> the hospital", I say "he's at the hospital".
>
> Pardon, I have vague recollections that this has already been discussed.
>
> Andrea

--

Bob Haas
Department of English
High Point University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

                         "Shun the frumious Bandersnatch!"