I *knew* it - Most don't know difference between concurrent and consecutiv

[scooterscot]

The other day I had me a nice perambulation in the old toon, I suggest you try it sometime, and oh what lovely vivacious sights strutting around town like she owned the place, ah yes summer has finally arrived.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

That'll be the one. Webster's new world dictionary (so at least they admit they made it up).

Of course the OED note that as a common misuse.

Crikey - that took me back to school. I've been aware of that since it was pointed out to me by my English teacher when I was about 15. I didn't think anyone else was aware of it, though; as anyone I've mentioned it to since has been suitably nonplussed.

[ASB]

Would that be Webster's Dictionary of American?

That'll be the one. Webster's new world dictionary (so at least they admit they made it up).

Of course the OED note that as a common misuse.

[BrowneIssue]

Webster's implies that infer is an acceptable definition of imply.

Would that be Webster's Dictionary of American?

[ASB]

Webster's implies that infer is an acceptable definition of imply.

[NickFitz]

"Concurrent" (adj) Commit ten murders and get the same sentence as for one; what the British justice system uses.

"Consecutive" (adj) Serve full sentence for each conviction, and then start on the next sentence for the next, and so on; what the US justice system uses.

Not correct. People are sometimes given sentences by English courts that are to run consecutively, although concurrent sentences are more common.

[BrowneIssue]

Okay as long as they never meet. Which being parallel, they won't.

Have one ampere point.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Extrapolating a single answer in a manky quiz show is hardly a rigorous statistical study. Sentencing is done by Judges not the government.

HTH

[VectraMan]

Several girlfriends in parallel, could get difficult.

Okay as long as they never meet. Which being parallel, they won't.

[expat]

Difference between series and parallel. Several girlfriends in series, cool. Several girlfriends in parallel, could get difficult.

[Bagpuss]

It's hardly the most ignorant thing ever said on The Weakest Link

[Pondlife]

I do

WTGPS.

[Pogle]

Just had the Weakest Link on in the background, and one contestant was asked "what 'C' is several prison sentences served simultaneously", and the daft cow answered "consecutive".

I'm sure she isn't the only one confused, and have long suspected that actually the vast majority of people are hazy about the distinction, and the Government relies on this woeful ignorance to con people that the justice system is stricter than it is (to save money on prison places).

On the off-chance that anyone reading this isn't sure either (very unlikely, but you never know):

"Concurrent" (adj) Commit ten murders and get the same sentence as for one; what the British justice system uses.

"Consecutive" (adj) Serve full sentence for each conviction, and then start on the next sentence for the next, and so on; what the US justice system uses.

I do

[OwlHoot]

Just had the Weakest Link on in the background, and one contestant was asked "what 'C' is several prison sentences served simultaneously", and the daft cow answered "consecutive".

I'm sure she isn't the only one confused, and have long suspected that actually the vast majority of people are hazy about the distinction, and the Government relies on this woeful ignorance to con people that the justice system is stricter than it is (to save money on prison places).

On the off-chance that anyone reading this isn't sure either (very unlikely, but you never know):

"Concurrent" (adj) Commit ten murders and get the same sentence as for one; what the British justice system uses.

"Consecutive" (adj) Serve full sentence for each conviction, and then start on the next sentence for the next, and so on; what the US justice system uses.