Oriented v Orientated

[gibberish]

Discuss.

(will be back later for the result... please behave!)

Pah! You boring lot - not one single argument over such a contentious issue!

I thought oriented was the American version of Orientated, but then I am a mere pleb

Orientated. Of course. Oriented is a spelling error.

oriented is like aluminum

missing a syllable so americans can say it more easily

(actually I don't really believe that. I think they have different meanings)

(but it was fun posting it)

Apparently oriented is the American way and they think anyone who says 'orientated' is an uneducated amoeba.

I've always used 'orientated'. There's just something WRONG about 'oriented'. You wouldn't say someone was 'disoriented' would you?

lol @ Yanks pointing finger at 'uneducated amoeba'

(realises that her post will prob be pulled from the board)

I say orientated. Oriented is not a proper word - it is a wor-cess-ter-shire sauce moment.

My American dictionary says 'orientated' is 'chiefly British'.

I think that is an authoritive source.

Or should that be 'authoritative'?

Or should that be wor-cess-ter-shire sorce?

definitely "orientated"

I had always believed it to be orientated

I always thought orientated was one of those words that adds a useless syllable to make it sound more impressive.

I use oriented.

{confused, heads for google to check...}

I always used orientated, and thought oriented to be the US variant. You start to worry, though, when you see so many people using the "incorrect" version, and you think "am I wrong?" It's like the situation with "anymore" - gradually becoming one word through people thinking it was anyway.

Look up aluminium/aluminum, though, minty - I did so and found the history to be more complex and interesting than I'd thought.

Orientated. I thought oriented was an Americanism.

I have cheated and looked it up. I agree with Wendy and tend to use oriented but have found this:

"Frequently Asked Questions

Grammar

Which is the correct spelling: 'oriented' or 'orientated'?

It really doesn't matter: it's a matter of personal taste. Orientated is currently preferred use in general British use. Oriented is prevalent in technical use, and in the US."

Orientated. But then when it comes to dilated or dilatated .... hmmmmmmmm

P.S. authoritative, definitely.

Well, glad to see that 'orientated' is the preferred option. It must be right!

As is authoritative but NOT dilatated (eh???)

Thanks everyone

I prefer dilated and oriented. But then I am Canadian. I HATED when I was pregnant hearing "dilatated"... too many syllables!

Orientated without any shadow of a doubt!!! and while I'm at it, it's nuclear, not nucular

I can only assume Tech doesn't allow punctuation in usernames ... because otherwise you'd better have a pretty good excuse for bringing that name into Pedants' Corner, OMGTSG!

Your assumption is correct

Was forced to remove both apostrophe AND exclamation mark, as a matter of fact

But they were happy with Gaaad, the heathens!!

I feel quite chastened having been a confident user of oriented for many years. Had no idea that it was American. Although am inclined to think so the f what.

However, am quite a stickler for 'an', as in 'an historic moment' etc. Am I also now a pathetic, ill-educated throwback? Or is this one a matter of taste?

I await your erudite thoughts.