English usage: to "subscribe" to a course?

Subject: English usage: to "subscribe" to a course?
From: Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>
To: TECHWR-L Whirlers <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>, Yves Barbion <yves -dot- barbion -at- gmail -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:09:23 -0400

Yves Barbion wondered: <<... when I review English documents written
by Dutch authors, I often see the phrase "to subscribe to a course"
in the meaning of "to register for/to sign up for a course". In my
opinion (but I'm not an English native speaker) you "subscribe to a
magazine/newspaper, or to an organization, for example an
environmental action group.>>

"Subscribe to" is definitely valid English, but I can't recall ever
seeing it in American English and I'm not sure it's still commonly
used in British English. I'd "enroll in" a course, or "register for"
the course.

<<I also have the feeling that "to subscribe to a course" is a "false
friend" (from the Dutch "zich inschrijven voor een cursus").>>

A definite faux ami, yes.

----------------------------------------------------
-- Geoff Hart
ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca / geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com
www.geoff-hart.com
--------------------------------------------------
***Now available*** _Effective onscreen editing_
(http://www.geoff-hart.com/home/onscreen-book.htm)

Print version: http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fStoreID=1505747

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

References:
English usage: to "subscribe" to a course?: From: Yves Barbion

Previous by Author: Maximum size of a dialog box?
Next by Author: Maximum size of a dialog box? (take II)
Previous by Thread: Re: English usage: to "subscribe" to a course?
Next by Thread: Re: English usage: to "subscribe" to a course?


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads