Ron,



I've read this use of "sort" in British novels but I don't think it's found much in AmE.  "Bail", in this sense, is.  The expression "Don't bail on us" is pretty widespread.  I wonder if the particle gets lost because this is a metaphorical use of "bail", neither the transitive meaning to remove water from a boat with a bail nor the intransitive "bail out" meaning to exit an airplane by means of a parachute.  One Britishism, "to suss out" in the sense of "to figure out", does seem to be appearing on this side of the Atlantic, but I don't know that I've heard it without the particle.



Herb 





For anyone who both lives in the UK and is aware of both American culture 

and its form of English, is well aware of the strong influence of both on UK 

life.



The influence on British vocabulary is, of course, undeniable.   There is 

even influence on its grammar.   (see, for example, previous messages on the 

neutralisation of the difference between the present perfect and the simple 

past).



My question to members concerns the possibility of British English having an 

influence on American English.



For some 20 years or more, the use of phrasal verbs in British English has 

been exhibiting an interesting change.  That change entails the dropping of 

the adverbial particle.  For example, a common phrasal verb is 'to sort out' 

meaning 'to solve'.   However, more often than not, one now hears people use 

'sort' without the particle.   So, one might hear a boss say, 'Leave it with 

me.  I'll sort it.'.



I have observed the change with other PVs over the years but for the moment 

can only remember 'bail out' as in  'He bailed (out) because he believed the 

idea would not work.'



I have two questions.  The first is for those members based in the UK.



Have you noticed this change taking place?   Can you cite any other 

examples?



The second is for those based in North America.   Have you noticed any signs 

of this change in American English?



Ron Sheen 



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