Grammer question...

[trenzterra]

When you break into a house during daytime, is it called burglar or robber? In dictionary.com, they say that burglar is committed at night, except for US statute laws in some states which states that it can be committed during daytime... And robber, they say, is by force... And in my English essay which is for the national exam, I put in robber... are both acceptable?

[Robert]

If you break into a home/building and steal, you are a bulgar.
If you steal something that's outside, you are a robber.

[Gayowulf]

Grammar*

like robert said, in order to be a burglar you must break into something and commit a felony (like extortion)

[trenzterra]

What happens if I use robber then?

[trenzterra]

In the essay, I wrote that they were struggling to open the door but before they broke in they got arrested

[Canuckkev]

Well, then they'd be neither.

[Webdude]

Robbery is when you rob someone with a weapon and harm, or threaten to harm somone. Such as bank robbery.

Burglary is when there is no intent to harm a person. Such as a museum break in.

Night/day has no relevence.


Originally posted by trenzterra
In the essay, I wrote that they were struggling to open the door but before they broke in they got arrested

Attempted illegal entry. If trying to "break" in, then it would be attempted breaking and entering.

[Weirds]

aren't robbers the people who use force to get your stuff illegally?

[trenzterra]

what do u think will happen if I use the wrong context?

[Canuckkev]

F!!!

Dude, it's one word. Don't make a big deal out of one word. The whole structure and coherance of your essay is much more important than the use of one word.

[Jan]

Originally posted by Webdude
Robbery is when you rob someone with a weapon and harm, or threaten to harm somone. Such as bank robbery.
That is armed robbery over here and carries a much higher penalty than burglary or a simple robbery.

[Robert]

Originally posted by trenzterra
what do u think will happen if I use the wrong context?

They may take points off. Or not even recognize it.

[CareBear]

burglary
n. the crime of breaking and entering into a structure for the purpose of committing a crime. No great force is needed (pushing open a door or slipping through an open window is sufficient) if the entry is unauthorized. Contrary to common belief, a burglary is not necessarily for theft. It can apply to any crime, such as assault or sexual harassment, whether the intended criminal act is committed or not. Originally under English common law burglary was limited to entry in residences at night, but it has been expanded to all criminal entries into any building, or even into a vehicle.

robbery
n. 1) the direct taking of property (including money) from a person (victim) through force, threat or intimidation. Robbery is a felony (crime punishable by a term in state or federal prison). "Armed robbery" involves the use of a gun or other weapon which can do bodily harm, such as a knife or club, and under most state laws carries a stiffer penalty (longer possible term) than robbery by merely taking. 2) a term improperly used to describe thefts, including burglary (breaking and entering) and shoplifting (secret theft from the stock of a store), expressed: "We've been robbed."

breaking and entering
n. 1) the criminal act of entering a residence or other enclosed property through the slightest amount of force (even pushing open a door), without authorization. If there is intent to commit a crime, this is burglary. If there is no such intent, the breaking and entering alone is probably at least illegal trespass, which is a misdemeanor crime. 2) the criminal charge for the above.I agree with everyone else.. unless you're becoming a lawyer don't worry about it. The structure of an essay usually makes up the larger part of your grade.

[notnamed]

It's not that important, but since you asked...


Attempted illegal entry. If trying to "break" in, then it would be attempted breaking and entering.

I'd call it attempted burglary.

[trenzterra]

hmm...

Structure is 15 marks, content 20 marks and organisation 5 marks...

let's see, i may get cut 5 pts for structture, so maybe i'll get around 7 for that, content i hope they like it, I hope I can pass that, maybe about 13, and organisation I *should* get 2-3.

Add that, I can get 22/40... My paper is quite easy, I think/hope I can get 91/110, if I fail the comprehension. Oral, the teacher say I was good, maybe around 23/30? And add my listening comprehension, I hope I listened well, so I could get 19/20. Oh well, I need to get 80 at least.

[conkermaniac]

Originally posted by trenzterra
what do u think will happen if I use the wrong context? Well, I don't know how strict Singapore's education system is, but I would be willing to bet that it's very strict, as are most Asian schools. If they're nasty, they might take off the equivalent of around 5% or so, but if I was the scorer, I probably wouldn't even notice it. I never really differentiated between "burglar" and "robber" anyway.