American/ British English usage?

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by Charles

I have never heard "firstly". "Lastly"...yes but it is not common. If it is used it would often be used for emphasis, with feeling, as in the verbal listing of grievances or demands in a confrontation or argument.

First, I want you to tell her you are sorry!
Second, I want you to pay for the damage!
Lastly, don't ever kick a ball in the house again!

I would use third or last or finally. Lastly is OK but it is like a coat and tie with barbecue and beer.

Lastly is totally and completely common in my neck of the woods, especially in written English when completing a list

[xchic]

Originally Posted by Here4good

Lastly is totally and completely common in my neck of the woods, especially in written English when completing a list

Agreed. It's almost as if we were speaking a completely different language to AmE!

I wonder what the differences would be if we had a native AusE speaker here?!

What would my neck of the woods be in AmE or AusE?

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by xchic

Agreed. It's almost as if we were speaking a completely different language to AmE!

Yes, except that the original sentence

Lastly, bring your own shopping bags with you to the supermarket

was taken from an American text!!


I wonder what the differences would be if we had a native AusE speaker here?!

What would my neck of the woods be in AmE or AusE?

How about in the nearby buffalo roamin/ kangaroo hopping area...

...

[xchic]

Originally Posted by Here4good

.How about in the nearby buffalo roamin/ kangaroo hopping area.....

jejeje/lol!

so the American text said lastly.................

[poli]

All this firstly, secondly, lastly stuff is gramatically correct (as far a I can tell), but I hate it stylistically.

[bobjenkins]

Originally Posted by poli

All this firstly, secondly, lastly stuff is gramatically correct (as far a I can tell), but I hate it stylistically.

Sí tienes en lo cierto , es una palabra que se asume ser correcta pero a todos les molesta la oreja / nos suena un poquito rara, por eso no la usa nadie.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

Originally Posted by Perikles

I see nothing wrong at all, provided that there has been a list, and this is the last item. I would have said finally, but maybe that's just personal choice.

To me finally sounds more natural