Indeed, U.S.A. is not America!
America is the name of a whole continent. United States of America means that the United States belongs to America and NOT that America belongs to the United States. So, next time you want to refer to The United States of America, you can do it as U.S. or the States or whatever you want but not as only America. Gotcha?
How should I use the term America then?
Here we will show you some wrong and correct uses of the term America:
This is how we do it in America.
This is how we do it in the States.
- America is my country and I love it.
- The United States is my country and I love it.
- America lost the Vietnam war.
- U.S.A. lost the Vietnam war.
- Here in America we love Mc Donald's.
- Here in the U.S. we love Mc Donald's.
Please, note that this page in not about demonyms (gentilics) but about the way to call a country.
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Comments (260)
I am once again countering ill-informed, simple-minded fantasy with cold hard facts. Although you will continue to resist, I will properly educate you. It is my duty. I must save you from yourselves and resist the spread of the ridiculous notions that are your postings.
proper noun
(also proper name)
NOUN
* A name used for an individual person, place, or organization, spelled with an initial capital letter, e.g. Jane, London, and Oxfam.
https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/proper_noun
Following linguists' definitions, we will take proper names as names of unique beings or things. These include:
* Personal names (surnames, first names, nicknames, and pseudonyms)
* Geographical names (names of cities, countries, islands, lakes, mountains, rivers and so forth)
* Names of unique objects (monuments, buildings, ships or any other unique object)
* Names of unique animals (e.g. Benji or Bugs Bunny)
* Names of institutions and facilities (cinemas, hospitals, hotels, libraries, museums or restaurants)
* Names of newspapers and magazines
* Names of books, musical pieces, paintings or sculptures
* Names of single events (e.g. Kristallnacht)
https://www.thoughtco.com/proper-name-grammar-1691545
A proper name is a noun or noun phrase that designates a particular person, place or object, such as George Washington, Valley Forge, and the Washington Monument. A common noun, on the other hand, is not a particular place or thing, such as a president, a military encampment, or a monument. Proper names are uppercase in English.
https://www.thoughtco.com/proper-name-grammar-1691545
proper noun
noun
Grammar. a noun that is used to denote a particular person, place, or thing, as Lincoln, Sarah, Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Hall.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/proper-name
Perfect, now you know that America is the proper noun of the continent.
Thanks, Mrs. the Obvious.
Actually, Misses the Obvious. Sorry.
GOD BLESS AMERICA... WE LOVE MC DONALD'S!!
Words usually have a root meaning and America has one; the continent named after Amerigo Vespucci. Now, those who say that America can have different meanings, explain what is the root for the name America in the name fo the United States of America? Or in other words, where did U.S. took the word America from? Most words come from other roots and so it is important to note that America has only one root/source ie..the continent. When The United States added America in its name, it did not choose it for some other meaning for the word America like if america meant a flower or something, NO! The United States used the name "America" because it meant the continent in which the United States were founded.
Rumor has it that the original plan for the United States was to expand as much as they possible could throughout the continent and thus the name "United States of America" would had fit well with the expansion. It did happen but only to the west of the North of America. Why? Because Mexico put up a good fight not to be annexed to the growing United States, otherwise the original plan would had been successful in extending its dominion down to probably South America.
To clear out the stupidness
"New York" is a proper name
"Pennsylvania" is a Proper name
and the rest of the States names are Proper names.
United States is obviously what it is, United States because back then unfortunately the States were not united and fighting as hell just like any other country back then.
Any better explanation you idiots?
Sorry I would not waste my time and brain with unequal limited braincellers.
So sorry that I get so mad but I needed to let it go.
It is all about understanding.
When people missunderstand each other that could cause conflicts.
A healthy communication is accepting the understanding oh what is being transmitted specially when it is SO CLEAR.
Have a good day everyone! and do not stress out.
I got mad for a couple of minutes but that's Okay to do so.
I would still have a great day and I wish the same for you!
United States of Asia
United States of Africa
United States of Oceania
United States of Europe
Sorry, this continents decided to get a proper name to their countries instead.
I feel stupid with the over talking of this topic since other idiots with poor knowledge and understanding might be commenting and extending nonsenses paragraph that makes me vomit.
Go back to school and actually learn with your common senses. There have been great explanations made already but IGNORANTS are proud to be IGNORANTS.
The whole continents decided on the name of their countries? They held an Internet vote? You don’t know how names or chosen or how words acquire their meanings. Educate yourself.
So David...How do words /names acquire meaning according to you?
u•nique /yuˈnik/
adj.
1. existing as the only one of its kind or type, or as the only example:a masterpiece unique in all the world.
https://www.wordreference.com/definition/unique
The proper noun (also proper name) ‘United States of America’ is only used as a name for one country. Therefore, it is one of a kind. Therefore, it is UNIQUE by definition. Please consult a dictionary before posting.
When the Europeans were coming to America, before the U.S. was even a country, they were coming to the continent, the new world and they would say I am going to America. Now, these people could have been talking about new Spain, Viceroyalty of Peru, or the British Colonies. Perhaps that is why they continue calling it America, out of repetition and tradition.
Yes. ‘America’ has multiple meanings in many languages. Thanks, Mrs. Obvious.
Not when its picked up by others to change its meaning to mean something else when the word/name was already meant for the same place the country is in. You can't deny that there is a conflict there! But you also can't deny that the conflict was solved by the English language by dividing the continent into two and call it Americas so that the name America could be used by the USA without conflict. However, not everyone in the world buys this swiftly move.