Job Discussion Forums

Dominic-Pax · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 77

I would like to know the living conditions of people reading these threads. Could you give a brief description of the facilities and comment on the reason why you like or dislike it?

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

You'll get such a wide range of replies it is doubtful it will help you at all.

007 · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Housing experience

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:43 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

I had provided, fully-furnished accommodation as well, but I never had these:

"free bills"

What denomination were they: $1, $5, $10, $20, etc.?

Regards,
John

007 · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject:

Free vouchers do not exist in the Magic Kingdom.
"free bills" means you get electricity, gaz, and water free of charge.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

That makes no sense in my dialect of English. Bills are bills... which means that you owe money, so they are never "free." Is that BrEng or are you translating from Arabic?

I would say free utilities... which means that the bill goes to your employer, not to you.

VS

007 · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject:

http://www.macmillandictionary.com/dictionary/british/bill

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:02 pm Post subject:

Dear 007,

Nice of you to provide the link.

"a written statement showing how much money you owe someone for goods or services you have received
a telephone bill
bill for: I hate to think what the bill for the repairs will be.
pay/settle a bill: I always pay my bills on time."

You could possibly wriite that you were "free OF bills," but "free bills" does NOT mean you get electricity, gas, water, etc. free of charge.
In fact, the phrase "free bills" has no meaning.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Well John... you and I do share the same dialect... the question is would someone from the UK ever say this?

That's why I assumed that it might be a translation from Arabic.

VS
(Isn't "free bills" an oxymoron?)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Now now, leave that poor feline alone.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:57 am Post subject:

Is it "dialect"? I prefer "variety"...

NCTBA

also in saudi · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 137

seems like a cat fight to me.

007 · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:19 am Post subject:

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

I'd say 'utility bills paid' or 'free utilities'. 'Free bills' does sound strange. They have to be paid, not paid for.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

A British friend has told me that he would never say "free bills" and agreed with me that it makes no sense in English.

VS