Is Write Me a Unique American Linguistic Feature?

[pinball1970]

A thread from another poster had a quick discussion and the phrase, 'write him' was used rather than 'write TO him.'

I have noticed this before in US TV shows and always wondered why the 'to' is dropped.

Is this just an American thing? Is writing 'to' someone or something known to be correct and dropping the 'to' is just a quirk?

Replies will be appreciated from from US guys, English as a second language guys as well as any Brits who also find it odd.

 

[Bystander]

as well as any Brits who also find it odd.

Particularly those "in hospital?"

 

[pinball1970]

Particularly those "in hospital?"

I know it's not a concern of tectonic proportions. I did use the word 'quirk.'
You have also somehow just reminded of when I first heard this and questioned it.
'Why don't you write me.' Simon and Garfunkel. I think I asked my mum why they left the 'to' out.
It concerned me.

 

[symbolipoint]

"me" as used in "Write me!" is taking the role of INDIRECT OBJECT, and the helpful preposition, "to" can be implied and understood, but maybe not easily in everybody.

 

[symbolipoint]

"me" as used in "Write me!" is taking the role of INDIRECT OBJECT, and the helpful preposition, "to" can be implied and understood, but maybe not easily in everybody.

As a longer form, "Write me!" can be told as "Dear readers, please write a note to me." The chief verb is "write"; the direct object is "a note", and the indirect object is "me".

 

[pinball1970]

As a longer form, "Write me!" can be told as "Dear readers, please write a note to me." The chief verb is "write"; the direct object is "a note", and the indirect object is "me".

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[berkeman]

A thread from another poster had a quick discussion and the phrase, 'write him' was used rather than 'write TO him.'

Yeah, like the common "Call to me!"

https://www.canstockphoto.com/mature-man-making-call-me-gesture-sign-87032871.html

 

[gmax137]

Yeah, like the common "Call to me!"

Beat me to it, @berkeman

 

[jtbell]

Yeah, like the common "Call to me!"

Can you imagine a certain song as "Call to me maybe"?

 

[pinball1970]

Yeah, like the common "Call to me!"

View attachment 301205
https://www.canstockphoto.com/mature-man-making-call-me-gesture-sign-87032871.html

Ok where does this apply/not apply and why do Americans say it where as we do not?

What about?

I sent a present to her.

I said to her.

I called out to her.

While I was talking to her she smiled and proceeded to correct my grammar.

 

[StevieTNZ]

What puzzles me is I see British people writing 'Here I am sat watching ...'. Shouldn't it be 'Here I am sitting watching ...'?

 

[phinds]

British "English" has its own weirdnesses. For example "in an hour's time" ... as opposed to what? "in an hour's length" ?

 

[symbolipoint]

What puzzles me is I see British people writing 'Here I am sat watching ...'. Shouldn't it be 'Here I am sitting watching ...'?

Interesting difference of usage. The wording seems strange but to them, it is a way they may normally say such things. If someone is "sat", then he is "seated". USA people might say, "Here I am seated, watching". I put in the comma to help with clarity.

 

[StevieTNZ]

British "English" has its own weirdnesses. For example "in an hour's time" ... as opposed to what? "in an hour's length" ?

An hour from 1.52pm (NZ's current time).

 

[StevieTNZ]

Another example of "sat": "Now I am sat at home with this ..."

It just doesn't sound right. And I'm sure it is not slang. It is how they're actually taught to speak/word things.

 

[DaveC426913]

Here in the Great White North we are not fazed by "write me".

 

[phinds]

Yeah, "write me" sounds to me just a normal as "call me"

 

[hmmm27]

write me a poem
sing me a song
call me, whenever
pass me the bong.

 

[symbolipoint]

Yeah, "write me" sounds to me just a normal as "call me"

Looking into the grammar,Write me = Write a note to me.
"a note" is the direct object.
"me" or if you prefer, "to me" is the indirect object.

Call me = Call me!
I feel I'm picking rightly if I say, "me" is the direct object; this could be debatable.

 

[berkeman]

Another example of "sat": "Now I am sat at home with this ..."

It just doesn't sound right.

So you are saying that it just doesn't sat right with you?

 

[gmax137]

British "English" has its own weirdnesses. For example "in an hour's time" ... as opposed to what? "in an hour's length" ?

How about "At the present time, ..."

That's just blather. I would instead say, "Now, ..."

 

[phinds]

How about "At the present time, ..."

That's just blather. I would instead say, "Now, ..."

"At the present time" is just someone trying to sound official/important. It is hardly limited to anyone English speaking country.

"In an hour" vs "in an hour's time" however, is clearly American vs British English.

 

[pinball1970]

So you are saying that it just doesn't sat right with you?

How about "At the present time, ..."

That's just blather. I would instead say, "Now, ..."

This has to be just another example of evolution?

“Write me” is strange to me, normal to Dave Phinds and other guys across the pond

There was another thread on American/English spelling and they may have mentioned word substitution and spelling too.

Faucet = tap

Trunk= Boot

Diaper= nappy

Tune – pronounced “Chew-n” not “two – n”

Dropping the “U” in words (Noah Webster?)

And “write me.” Where question first arose by the fantastic S&G song. They even leave out the question mark!

Edit: Just checked and it is a blurred image. So I deleted.