Grammar question, when should I use UK and when is it appropriate to use GB?

Question

Neither is UK the full name, but there is a correct time to use each.

The papers use UK all the time to mean within the British Isles, yet they have to have been educated to a higher degree in English.

Answer 1

It's a bit complicated:

The 'British Isles' comprises the the large islands containing England, Scotland and Wales and Ireland (north and south) and all the smaller islands around them (including the semi-autonomous Isle of Man). This is a purely geographical term and is nothing to do with political boundaries.

'Great Britain' (explained further below) comprises England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man and the smaller islands around the coast. It does not include Ireland (north or south).

The 'United Kingdom' is actually the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland'. So, a native of England can be English and British, and also a 'citizen' (even though there is officially no such status in the UK - we are all 'subjects' of the monarch) of the UK. Officially, someone from Belfast is part of the UK but not REALLY 'British' (although many would consider themselves as such).

The confusion is compounded by the fact that international car identification stickers only say 'GB' - even if the car is from Northern Ireland. Yes, it's a minefield. So, how you refer to something or someone depends a little on context.

The person who suggested some people might be 'offended' by the term 'Great Britain' is completely wrong. I have never met ANYONE offended by the name. This is because the 'Great' part of the name doesn't mean 'huge', fantastic', 'all-powerful' or 'marvellous' but means 'great' in the geographical sense as in 'greater London' or 'greater New York' - ie the city in question and its associated boroughs and environs. 'Great' Britain merely means all the islands comprising the British group.

Clear?

Answer 2

The term UK is used to denote England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. GB is properly used to denote the mainland (excluding Northern Ireland) but these days the terms may be interchangeable. Properly, the whole collection of islands is the British Isles.
K2 above is incorrect. The Channel Islands are not and never have been part of the United Kingdom, they are independent members of the Commonwealth

Answer 3

The correct form of address is not to use abbreviations at all, but to write it out in full. For most purposes United Kingdom is sufficient if you live within the mainland. I know, from when I used to have a lot of penfriends, that some overseas people find the name Great Britain to be offensive, considering the history between it and certain other countries.

You'd use the second in more formal situations.

Answer 4

Not a grammar question, rather a factual one. It is correct to use UK when you wish to include Northern Ireland, and correct to use GB when you wish to omit it. Nothing terribly complicated about that... you will find that rarely, if ever, do the papers use the term 'UK' to also include Eire (the other constituent nation in the British isles). If they do, feel free to write to them and point out the error...

Answer 5

Britain is England & Wales.

Great Britain is England, Scotland & Wales.

UK is the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland'.

EDIT
____
It's just a question of grammar in a similar way that the Foreign Office isn't actually called the Foreign Office, but the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. People just don't really care that much these days unfortunately.

Answer 6

Our countrys full name is "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". That's what it says on our passports.

Great Britain is not the full name.

Answer 7

Great Britain comprises of England, Scotland and Wales only.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland includes Great Britain as above, along with Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and all other Overseas Territories.

Answer 8

Let me explain.... Lincoln England UK, there are other cities named Lincoln on the gobe. Many of our cities and villiages names can be found in foreign countries
You can use UK on any address should you so wish.
GB is usually used in fomal addresses, such as with Government communications, British Forces, also when sent ffom abroad to Britain..
Yet you can use it at any time on any address.
.