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Ask for help > Traffic signal or Traffic light
Traffic signal or Traffic light
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lofthanzaaa
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Traffic signal or Traffic light
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Teachers, could you please correct this for me:
The bus stop is about two kilometers away from my house. After you reach the bus stop, go to the traffic signal and turn left. Then go straight for one block. My house is on your left next to the bank.
1- Should I use traffic signal or traffic light? If both, then what is the difference?
2- Should I say � � After you reach" or " After you have reached"? If both, then what could the difference be again?
Thanks,
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26 Nov 2010
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[email protected]
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1. In Br Eng it �s traffic light. Maybe it �s different for Am Eng, I �m not sure.
2. You can say both. Directions are often given as a chain of present simple instructions: �Turn left at the ..., then you go..., stop at the bank..., walk over the bridge... � etc. This is in common with most instruction sets (for example, �what to do in the event of fire � or �recipes �). However, if you are thinking the instructions through as you �re telling someone - that is, picturing it in your mind �s eye - you might well use the present perfect �After you �ve reached � because, in your head, that �s what you �ve done - you �ve reached somewhere and now you �re continuing.
Hope that makes some sense!
Alex
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26 Nov 2010
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nombasa
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In South Afrcia, traffic lights are called �robots �. I still can �t bring myself to say, "turn left at the robots.: |
26 Nov 2010
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chrissmolder
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Hello!
My flag is Aussie, but actually I �m from the US. I prefer to say traffic light, or simply light. I live in Australia, but I can �t say for certain what is commonly said here--maybe it �s light too, as I haven �t noticed any differences. I agree with Alex that it is probably just a regional preference or that maybe traffic signal might be more formal (used in driving manuals etc.)--but I am not sure.
I think Alex is right on number 2, too!
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26 Nov 2010
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Jayho
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That �s right Chris - Ozzies mostly say traffic lights and traffic signals is more formal. Both are acceptable for us.
Cheers
Jayho |
27 Nov 2010
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