random Americanism question (because I'm curious)

[deird1]

Okay. So, I went to hospital a few months ago.

Americans, as far as I can gather, would say that I went to the hospital.


Then, while I was in hospital (otherwise known as in the hospital), the husband came and visited me.


Talking about this with him yesterday, I mentioned that he'd "gone to the hospital". From an American standpoint, this seems like it would mean he'd been injured and was lying in a hospital bed. So... how would someone in America indicate that a person had physically gone to the hospital building, but wasn't a patient? Or do you have to spell it out like that?

Comments

[smurasaki]

Yeah, it's pretty much context. I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone say that they went to the hospital or were at the hospital without providing context. ("I went to the hospital for blood work." "I went to the hospital to visit my aunt.")

Since, if I understand correctly, "in hospital" only means as a patient, it would appear that you can differentiate without having to provide additional information. That seems like a better linguistic solution.