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The Sea / The Ocean

by applegreensnake
11 replies
How much is the term 'The Sea' used in North America versus 'The Ocean'?

On the UK side of the pond, I'd say 'the sea' is more common.

I'm guessing 'the ocean' is more common in North America...?

Do people in the US and Canada use the term 'the sea' sometimes?
#ocean #sea
  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
    Well although there is a difference between an Ocean and a Sea, people use them both. But I think you're correct that most people here in the USA use the term Ocean.

    My cousins in England use Sea when I talk to them.

    But there might be some coastal copywriters here that have a better insight into what terms they are using.
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  • Profile picture of the author John_S
    Really depends (over here) on whether we're writing about a sea or an ocean.

    I'm guessing this is more a content writing question than for copy. Unless you happen to sell oceanliners.
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  • Profile picture of the author applegreensnake
    Thanks.

    I didn't know the difference in definition between sea and ocean.

    Do people in the States generally know that difference in definition?

    If people tend to not know the difference between the 2 terms, then the definition doesn't matter for this job.

    I prefer to use the term "the sea" unless it's possibly not understood by some people or kind of unfamiliar.

    Would everybody be familiar with the term 'the sea' in the States?
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  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
    They are familiar with it of course.

    If you are talking about some specific sea, like the Mediterranean Sea, then obviously use Sea.

    If you are talking about 'large bodies of water' in general, use Ocean. At least I would.
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  • Profile picture of the author Derek Pankaew
    Do people in the States generally know that difference in definition?
    Nope. I think they're interchangeable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
      If you're referring to one of the actual Oceans, and you're targeting a U.S audience, I would use Ocean, unless Sea just sounds better, or flows better (no pun intended, cuz that would've been a stupid pun), but anyways, yea, it doesn't really matter.
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      • Profile picture of the author Derek Pankaew
        Originally Posted by Cam Connor View Post

        If you're referring to one of the actual Oceans, and you're targeting a U.S audience, I would use Ocean, unless Sea just sounds better, or flows better (no pun intended, cuz that would've been a stupid pun), but anyways, yea, it doesn't really matter.
        loool ... I don't know if you actually said anything in this sentence.
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        • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
          Strange question - lol

          We use exactly the same terms. Nobody in England calls the Atlantic the sea and I doubt anyone in the US calls the Caribbean the ocean. (As examples)

          We both call the former an ocean and the latter a sea because that is what they are.

          Dan
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          • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
            We have Oceans...you chaps just have Seas...:p -
            (and we are just across "the pond" after all...it's a wonder your explorers found anything! :rolleyes

            "Sea" is much more useful word though - in an adventurous, romantic way...

            Sail the Seven Seas...(can't sail the seven oceans...doesn't sound right...:rolleyes

            Off to Sea...(can't go "off to ocean""...)

            How far would Hemingway have gotten with "The Old Man and the Ocean"?

            China Sea - Irish Sea - Deep Blue Sea (they do say "Indian Ocean", but Atlantic and Pacific are self explanatory with a "the" in front...like the "Sahara Desert", it is kind of redundant (after all... Sahara means "desert")

            And that Race Horse "Sea Biscuit"? fuhgeddaboutit!
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  • Profile picture of the author serena85
    But there is a huge difference between these two terms.....You must use the correct one depending on the circumstances.
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  • Profile picture of the author apolwar
    Originally Posted by applegreensnake View Post

    How much is the term 'The Sea' used in North America versus 'The Ocean'?

    On the UK side of the pond, I'd say 'the sea' is more common.

    I'm guessing 'the ocean' is more common in North America...?

    Do people in the US and Canada use the term 'the sea' sometimes?
    The Ocean is bigger than the sea. There are five oceans and there are many seas all over the world which are connected through the oceans.

    So, yes many people do use 'the sea' in their terms.
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