Talk:write a test
Verification debate (1)
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I'm in Australia, but I have never heard the first usage, and would only use it in the second sense (erroneously listed as US). --Ptcamn 07:57, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
- I have never heard it used in the first sense over here in the UK — only in the second sense. Raifʻhār Doremítzwr 09:57, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
- Besides updating association for the countries (looks like I'd gotten it wrong), I've swapped the definitions for maximum confusion. Should Canadian be added to the taking def? DAVilla 16:38, 21 September 2006 (UTC)
- If it turns out that sense 1 is unattestable, would this entry even be idiomatic? Jeffqyzt 13:09, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
- The OED includes, and has cited, a similar definition (sense 3j of write). It notes that is chiefly S African (but one of its cites is from Barbados). --Enginear 13:32, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
- In South Africa it is unheard of to take a test. Scholars / students always write a test or more commonly write an exam. This is bog standard South African usage. Teachers set a test or set an exam Andrew massyn 20:02, 14 September 2006 (UTC). I see if I can dig up examples from the local newspapers. It shouldn't be difficult.
- The OED includes, and has cited, a similar definition (sense 3j of write). It notes that is chiefly S African (but one of its cites is from Barbados). --Enginear 13:32, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
- These quotes are from three different South African universities.
- There is one test which will be written in the first term
- You will be required to write a test or take an oral test. within 1 week of the original test date and it is your responsibility to ensure that you know ...
- The tests will be written in the Jameson Hall from 14h00 to 15h00.
Any student who misses more than one class test (for valid and substantiated medical or compassionate reasons) will write the test at a time to be arranged. If this is not possible, students may be required to write a test at the end of the course covering all material.
- 1. Official tests will be written on the days scheduled by the lecturer. Unofficial tests can be written as arranged by the lecturer. Test and examination papers must be neat and handwriting must be legible. 2. If absent for a test or practical, a doctor’s certificate must be produced upon return. A test will be written immediately upon your return, a pro-rata point will be awarded, or an absent with a reason will be awarded. The decision will be taken by the lecturer
(realigning for readability) My former boss used this term in the context of 'write an exam', he was Canadian. I remember it because it didn't make sense to me.
- here are some examples of that context:
- http://umanitoba.ca/student/records/finals/683.htm
- http://faculty.goucher.edu/eng211/how_to_write_an_exam.htm
- and some debate over 'writing' vs 'taking'
- http://www.velocityreviews.com/forums/t49376-writing-vs-taking.html --Versageek 16:23, 14 September 2006 (UTC)
Rfvpassed. Andrew massyn 20:01, 20 October 2006 (UTC)
Verification debate (2)
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A previous RFV verified the usage of the phrase. This one is a separate issue: whether it's sum of parts. The talk page suggests that this is just one construct using write and test (because we also see there "The tests will be written"), so I think that the South African sense should merely appear under write. Equinox 12:05, 31 December 2008 (UTC)
- Where are the citations from the previous RfV? Three of the four links are dead. None seem to have been to attestable sources. Was the previous RfV properly closed?
- There are at least two distinct sensess:
- To make a test; to design examination questions or test cases.
- To take a test;
- I don't doubt that at least the "take a test" sense is in use, though not much in the US. We don't have the appropriate wording at write for these, IMO. DCDuring Holiday Greetings! 13:27, 31 December 2008 (UTC)
- Yes, it's SoP imo. It's a question for RFD afaIct. (Incidentally, I know the phrase as meaning "take a test" from older UK books, not from SAfr ones. Can anyone confirm that this, perhaps dated, UK usage?)—msh210℠ 17:48, 31 December 2008 (UTC)
- Clocked out without any valid citations. DCDuring TALK 22:16, 7 February 2010 (UTC)
- Striking as no longer exists. Equinox ◑ 00:06, 7 July 2010 (UTC)
Deletion debate
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- the following discussion follows on directly from the verification debate above
this is a case of collocation, not of verifying if a term exists. Suggest this as your typical verb-noun collocation. --Rising Sun talk? contributions 22:35, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
- Delete SoP. --Yair rand 22:39, 15 March 2010 (UTC)
- Definitely delete sense 1. But possibly keep sense 2, which is not current in UK English and may be a set phrase in some countries. Ƿidsiþ 09:31, 16 March 2010 (UTC)
- Well that sense really should be at RFV, and since it's failed it should go. Mglovesfun (talk) 08:55, 4 April 2010 (UTC)
- That's only due to no one's having done the work, not due to the absence of citations. google books:"write a test in" yields , , , and just among the first twenty hits. Another with full text visible (to me) is .—msh210℠ 17:03, 8 April 2010 (UTC)
- Well that sense really should be at RFV, and since it's failed it should go. Mglovesfun (talk) 08:55, 4 April 2010 (UTC)
I wonder how this relates to write an exam, write exams, write the finals, write a survey, write a questionnaire, etc. —Michael Z. 2010-04-08 17:12 z
- I too was thinking that perhaps this is a South African use of "write" that other variations don't have. Can anyone confirm that write only collocates with test? I'll add the sense at write#Verb. Mglovesfun (talk) 07:54, 21 June 2010 (UTC)
- Deleted, added the sense to write per Michael Z. Mglovesfun (talk) 10:24, 29 June 2010 (UTC)