footage

English translation: No!

17:53 Aug 28, 2018
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
Bus/Financial - Real Estate
English term or phrase: footage
Can the word "footage" be used in the meaning "floor area", if the units are square meters?
danya
Local time: 23:14
Selected answer:No!
Explanation:
No!


Explanation:
It would be the wrong dimension anyway! If you want to talk about an area that is expressed in m², then you would need to talk about "square footage" — but that would be frankly rather ridiculous, both in terms of the fact it is in metres, and also, it is very much a lay term — why would you want to avoid simply saying "area" or "floor area" if appropriate?

'footage' can only refer to some linear measurement — for example, the 'footage' of filmed material, where it has long since lost any sense of the actual measurement units.


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Note added at 1 hr (2018-08-28 19:43:37 GMT)
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Asker, the only 2-dimensional use in the refercne you cite specifically collocates it with 'square', as we've all been saying.
The only time I can think it might be used in a 2-dimensional sense is where it is specifying a length of something that has pre-defined width, like say fabrics; even then, I'm more familiar with the term 'yardage' — "ho many yards of material do you need?" — given that the width of the material is taken as read.

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Note added at 12 hrs (2018-08-29 06:10:00 GMT)
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As you have now added the important extra context that you are looking for a formal register, then no, no, and thrice no again!
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 21:14
Grading comment
Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +5No!
Tony M
5 -2square footage
Ali Ambrosio


Discussion entries: 13





  

Answers


2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): -2
square footage


Explanation:
I actually have a different opinion, I often hear/see the term “square footage” used to describe the floor area of properties. It is common in the US, especially for client-facing content. You can’t use “footage” on its own, though, it must be paired with “square”.

Example sentence(s):
  • This apartment has ample square footage in a neighborhood where spaces are typically small.
Ali Ambrosio
United States
Local time: 16:14
Native speaker of: English
Notes to answerer
Asker: Thank you for your answer!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  B D Finch: In the US they don't measure floor areas in square metres, so this is obviously not about the US.
2 hrs

disagree  Tony M: 'SQURE' fottage would be OK, IF this were being measured in ft² — which is not the case!
10 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
No!


Explanation:
No!


Explanation:
It would be the wrong dimension anyway! If you want to talk about an area that is expressed in m², then you would need to talk about "square footage" — but that would be frankly rather ridiculous, both in terms of the fact it is in metres, and also, it is very much a lay term — why would you want to avoid simply saying "area" or "floor area" if appropriate?

'footage' can only refer to some linear measurement — for example, the 'footage' of filmed material, where it has long since lost any sense of the actual measurement units.


--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2018-08-28 19:43:37 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Asker, the only 2-dimensional use in the refercne you cite specifically collocates it with 'square', as we've all been saying.
The only time I can think it might be used in a 2-dimensional sense is where it is specifying a length of something that has pre-defined width, like say fabrics; even then, I'm more familiar with the term 'yardage' — "ho many yards of material do you need?" — given that the width of the material is taken as read.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 hrs (2018-08-29 06:10:00 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

As you have now added the important extra context that you are looking for a formal register, then no, no, and thrice no again!

Tony M
France
Local time: 21:14
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you!
Notes to answerer
Asker: My note to your answer disappeared, it must have been to the duplicate one that you deleted. I am ok with floor area, just wondered if I could use footage like I described. Thank you

Asker: btw it does have a two-dimensional meaning registered: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/footage


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: yes, about to put much the same. Indeed you might hear people say it sometimes but it should never be written that way if in metres.
8 mins
  -> Thanks, Yvonne!

agree  philgoddard: But you can arguably talk about a car's mileage even if it measures distances in kilometres.
2 hrs
  -> Thanks Phil! That is our old habit in the UK, but countries like France that have traditionally used km don't have in any issues with using 'kilométrage'.

agree  B D Finch: Another alternative is "square metrage". Philgoddard's example of a car's mileage, would only be a very informal, conversational usage, though if I can imagine describing my (French) car as "low-mileage", if trying to sell it to someone British.
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, B!

agree  Charles Davis
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, Charles!

agree  JohnMcDove
5 hrs
  -> Thanks, John!
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