Why do Americans use the word "what" for certain questions where Brits use the word "which"?

Shannie3385

Because we as a nation have become lazy and ignorant! lol. sad but true! The proper way to phrase that question is using "which" Apr 11 07, 2:44 PM

star_gazer

American english is different in many ways to British english. I don't see one as better than the other (lazy and ignorant) just culturally different. Apr 11 07, 3:07 PM

lanfranco

"Which" is fundamentally correct in the example you give, but not all Americans would use "what." Please don't paint us with a broad brush. Every nation, including the U.K. in my experience, contains some people who speak grammatically and some who do not. Using "what" where "which" is preferred is not a standard feature of American English. As for the difference between the two, "which" is preferred when the set from which one is choosing is limited and well-defined: "Which [of these two pairs of shoes] do you prefer?" There are situations in which the set is defined but very large, so that "what" is acceptable. And we do need to avoid pedantry. Scroll down to "What and Which": http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/001461.html Apr 11 07, 4:38 PM

gmackematix

In Britain we have a magazne called "What Hi-Fi?" that probably ought to be "Which Hi-Fi?". Apr 11 07, 6:44 PM

rickyb24

Sorry frank, I am the ignorant one here. I agree that any given nation will have people who speak and write grammatically poor. The reason I asked this question was purely brought about from reading questions on this site whose authors were american and used what instead of which. I truly believed that this was the American way, again sorry for my ignorance Apr 11 07, 8:40 PM

Baloo55th

Frankie, I like that '"what" where "which"' in your post. Anyone manage to get a 'when' into it as well? Apr 12 07, 10:57 AM

queproblema

Now, Baloo, you know that was clear and perfect grammar and syntax. Here's a "when" by an American. when by now and tree by leaf she laughed his joy she cried his grief bird by snow and stir by still anyone's any was all to her When "what" is written where "which" belongs, anyone lives in a pretty how town. Apr 12 07, 2:23 PM

Baloo55th

I know it's correct, and like it. But can anyone add a 'when' to make four in a row? Apr 12 07, 2:34 PM