On the usage of have, dare, need, ought and used to in Australian English and Hong Kong English

This study uses data derived from a set of elicitation tests to examine the relative popularity of the lexical and auxiliary variants of the verbs have, dare, need, ought and used to among teachers and students in Hong Kong and Australia. Australian English, it was found, favours the lexical variants, and shares patterning with American English. By contrast Hong Kong English was found to be more tolerant of the auxiliary variants (possibly a reflection of the continuing influence of British English). The students in both communities, especially the Australian students, opted more readily for the lexical variants than their teachers, suggesting that they may be more amenable to American influence. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2004.