If you reside in the US, do you spell it theater or theatre?
And why?
I spell it theater, because that’s what I was taught.
This question was prompted by a local theater’s use of both spellings on the same poster. :/
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
23 Answers
(Not American. We use “theatre” and “centre” over here in Canada).
I’ve always seen it spelled “theater”, excerpt when used as part of a theater’s name.
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
I use both.
“Theater” for places to see movies, and “Theatre” for artistic venues.
Response moderated (Off-Topic)
Of course, we use the Queen’s English over here. “Colour” and “neighbour”.
My seventh grade teacher emphasized that BOTH were correct and it was a matter of personal preference which one we used. (She was a bit of an anglophile). She also said we could pronounce it THEE-uh-ter or thee-AY-ter.
I pronounce “theater” as “THEE-uh-ter.”
Theater. Doesn’t everyone?
I spell it the correct way, theatre. If I were to relocate to Outer Mongolia or the jungles of darkest Peru, this would remain consistent.
Locally they use theater for the motion picture halls and theatre for live performance halls.
Theater, just because that’s how I was taught.
Both spellings are correct.
Theater, because I don’t have a queen.
I make the same distinction that @sinscriven does. Theater is for movies. I am a retired assistant director of a performing arts theatre.
Response moderated (Off-Topic)
Theater, unless the theatre itself uses theatre.
What is this display of linguistic dong shaking? The correct way to spell it is how a given society spells it. Pick whichever you want, but don’t pretend you spell it “correctly” because someone who sits on a throne might spell it the way you do.
So far as I know, only Americans spell it “theater,” and it was probably either one of the spelling reforms Noah Webster introduced or followed them to their logical conclusion.
Theatre because I like it better.
“Theater,” unless I’m trying to annoy someone, or if it seems more appropriate.
I tend to go the way as @WestRiverrat er for film and re for live. Unless I come up on someone who is insistent on one spelling or the other, in which case I’ll use the other to pull their chain.
Ah, but how many pronounce them differently?
Answer this question
This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.