The usage of move and transfer

English grammar and usage issues

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chocalate
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The usage of move and transfer

Unread post by chocalate »

hi
What is the difference between move and transfer? Is it correct to say i have transfered to another house? i hope to know the usage of each one with examples.

chocalate
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schetin
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Unread post by schetin »

Hi Chocolate,

You can transfer data - you can move objects.

'Transfer' is a transitive verb, i.e. you can only transfer SOMETHING.

'Move' can be used both transitively and intransitively: you can move to a new location or move something to a another place.

My two cents,

Slava
Robbo
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Unread post by Robbo »

Hello Chocalate

A very good question!

Both words mean about the same but they are sometimes used in different ways.

'transfer' tends to have a more formal tone and 'move' is more down to earth. 'Move' is used much more often than 'transfer'.

"I moved house last week." (It would sound very strange to say that someone transferred house.)

"I couldn't move my leg."

"I transferred some money from my bank account to my credit card account." (You can also say "move money" instead of "transfer money".)

"The footballer transferred from Chelsea to Aston Villa." ("Transfer" here has a specific, technical meaning in sports management.)

Notice that both "transfer" and "move" can be used as nouns and as adjectives (they can modify another noun) as well as verbs.

"The move is expected to take place next week." (:noun)

"Get a move on!" (Colloquial/slang:=hurry up)

"You should fill in these transfer forms when you want to change to a different course." (:adjective)

"Manchester United football club paid a huge transfer fee when Smith moved clubs." (:adjective)


I hope this helps.

Robbo
QUOTE: "The sign on the door of opportunity reads PUSH."
Robbo
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Unread post by Robbo »

Correction:

In the last example above: "Manchester United football club paid a huge transfer fee when Smith moved clubs."

I meant that "TRANSFER" was being used as an ADJECTIVE in "transfer fee".

"moved" in "Smith moved clubs" is of course a verb.

Robbo
QUOTE: "The sign on the door of opportunity reads PUSH."
chocalate
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Unread post by chocalate »

Thank you for your help :)
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