Thread: Ah, This Grammar is Making me Insane!

I like OALD dictionary, because it always differentiates between British English and American English. From my experience, Americans tend to say 'apartment' (when they mean a Russian квартира), while Brits usually say 'flat'. It's a common mistake though on the part of Russian speakers to use the word 'house' when they actually mean 'apartment building, or block of flats' (this is due to lack of specific terms in Russian and seeming universality of the word "дом" which might mean anything in Russian, almost any type of dwelling).

flat - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

apartment - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Is there any other thread on 'housing'? I love this topic. I was always wondering what terms would they use in English when referring to Russian "двор", "подъезд". On the other hand, how would a Russian translate 'housing project'? (as in 'I live on project, dawg...'). The difference between Russian 'коттедж' and English 'cottage' seems really fascinating.

Originally Posted by alexsms

On the other hand, how would a Russian translate 'housing project'? (as in 'I live on project, dawg...'). The difference between Russian 'коттедж' and English 'cottage' seems really fascinating.

Interesting: housing project = "a group of houses or flats/apartments built for poor families, usually with government money".
Frankly speaking, it's the first time I learn about it. If I had not read your post, I would think it is just a "project", i.e. something what is being planned, not constructed yet.

BTW, I've just looked through some pictures of "housing projects" at "housing project" - Поиск в Google.

Some of them look more like what we call "микрорайон" in Russian (e.g. pictures of Singapore and Mumbai). I'd say they are beautiful and modern, I would never guess they are for "poor families".