Round-the-clock or around-the-clock? 1

[bekibutton]

I've just been asked by my boss which of these is correct. I think that 'round-the-clock' is the right phrase to use for what he wants.

Anyone care to discuss the difference? I know you lot love a good discussion!!

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I was gonna take over the world but got distracted by something shiny

 

[CajunCenturion]

==> I've just been asked by my boss which of these is correct.

They are both equally correct, and they mean the same thing.

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[Gooser]

However,

it is around-the-clock or 'round-the-clock, (note the use of the apostrophe to take the place of the dropped a.)



v/r

Gooser

Why do today
that which may not need to be done tomorrow --me

 

[CajunCenturion]

I don't think the apostrophe is necessary. The word 'round' can be used as a preposition. Round and around can be used almost interchangeably except when around is being used to approximately.

He has around 10 dollars in his pocket.

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Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
But..( there is always a but)..In the phrase 'round the clock ( that is, 24 Hrs) you are actually using a contraction for 'around' - and contractions need apostrophes...






To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[CajunCenturion]

Why does round the clock have to be a contraction of around the clock?

If you can establish that it IS a contraction, then you're abosolutely right; the apostrophe is necessary. I maintain that round is clock is not a contraction.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[ncotton]

Its not necessarily a contraction, as it is literally round......as the motion is perfectly circular.... but the phrase, is crowned " Around the Clock"...meaning to offer something all the time.

If you'd have brought this up 10 weeks ago, we could ave asked Bill Haley... RiP

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[r937]

nobody seems to have mentioned this, so i'll pipe up -- the dashes are wrong

it's around the clock, not around-the-clock

r937.com | rudy.ca

 

[SamBones]

In the phrase 'round the clock ( that is, 24 Hrs)...

If you're speaking of a physical clock, wouldn't 'round the clock be 12 hours? For 24 hours you'd need Twice 'round the clock.

 

[Gooser]

...You spin me right 'round, baby right 'round...[to music]

Although this link begs to differ with my position on the apostrophe. I still would use the apostrophe.

This one offers it with or without the hyphens. Jeez.

Rachel Ray, a hottie that can cook uses the apostrophe in the title to her book, Cooking 'Round the Clock: Rachael Ray's 30-Minute Meals, though being a cook doesn't make her a style and usage expert.

This and that are a couple more of examples of the usage of the apostrophe.

I guess, what I am getting at is this, Write it however the heck you want.




v/r

Gooser

Why do today
that which may not need to be done tomorrow --me

 

[ncotton]

If you want it formal...go to any 24 hour news channel....i promise they will say "Around the clock coverage"

Hope this Helps.

Neil J Cotton
njc Information Systems
Systems Consultant

 

[CajunCenturion]

I stand by my original response:

They are both equally correct, and they mean the same thing.

--------------
Good Luck
To get the most from your Tek-Tips experience, please read FAQ181-2886
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[Stella740pl]

I agree with CC that both, "round" and "around" ae equally correct in the context.

Dictionary.com, here

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/round,

with the reference to The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company., shows that "round" can be a preposition or an adverb on its own; as a synonym, not as a contraction of "around". If you scroll down the page there, you will see the following meanings (and examples):

[i]adv.[/i]
1. In a circular progression or movement; around. 
2. With revolutions: [i]wheels moving round[/i]. 
...

[i]prep.[/i]
1. Around. 
2. From the beginning to the end of; throughout: [i]a plant that grows round the year[/i].

I would say that "round the year" is almost as good an example as "round the clock", except that moving
(a)round the clock can be literal.

r937,
As for the dashes, they could be either right or wrong. If you actually use (a)round as a preposition, then, of course, no dashes needed. But if you use the whole construction as an adjective, then dashes could be used.

Say, like here:

These days, we are working round the clock.

The new store's around-the-clock service is very convenient for the local residents.

 

[r937]

ah yes, the adjective, of course, thanks stella

r937.com | rudy.ca

 

[Gooser]

Good answer, Stella.

--Gooser

 

[Stella740pl]

Glad you liked it and thanks for the star.