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In this question, user mjjf correctly comments that the answer can be found on a question asked on ELU. Given how closely linked ELL and ELU are, it feels like the ELL question should be "closed as duplicate"... but there isn't a duplicate on this stack exchange, only on another related one.

Should we close the question? If so, how should we close it, given that you can't select a question on another stack exchange? If not, should we basically copy the answer over here, maybe rewriting it slightly to avoid plagiarism? That doesn't seem right to me either.

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  • This has been discussed on ELU's meta . Do you think it would be helpful to close your question because there are answers on another site written from the perspective of a different community?
    – ColleenV
    Commented Feb 23, 2022 at 15:29
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    This has been a constant issue with Stack Exchange: duplicate questions posted on different Stack Exchange websites. I believe the only good solution is Stack Exchange implementing the "crossover questions" feature that has been suggested years ago.
    – Franck Dernoncourt
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 6:15

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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  • Is the question off-topic on ELL?
    Vote to close it.

  • Is the question a duplicate of an older question on ELL?
    Vote to close it as a duplicate because the answer can be found on ELL.

  • Is the original post a duplicate of an older question but on a different site?
    Check to see it is not written by the same author. If it is, this is called cross-posting, it is generally frowned upon. Users can flag the post to draw a moderator's attention who will likely close or delete it.
    If the two posts were written by two completely different authors with a gap of one or more years; ELL users can leave it open, vote to close because it is off-topic on ELL, or flag for it to be migrated to the other site where it can be closed as a duplicate.

  • Is the post on-topic and has never been asked before on ELL? I see four choices:
    a) Edit, if it improves the post
    b) Leave it alone
    c) Cast a vote
    c) Consider posting an answer.

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  • I'm looking at a post currently flagged as a duplicate of an ELU post. Can you point me to the origins of your statements in the third point? Specifically, (1) examples of questions closed/deleted by mods because they were cross-posted, OR a policy document or Meta which sanctions this; (2) the thing about two different users at least a year apart? Thanks!
    – gotube Mod
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 5:54
  • Also, I've read this question and while there seems to be a clear answer, it goes back to the site's infancy, so there's a reasonable chance it's not current.
    – gotube Mod
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 6:03
  • @gotube english.meta.stackexchange.com/questions/7893/…
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 8:32
  • @gotube I don't think it's actually possible to close a question on ELL as a duplicate of an older question but from a different site. Mods can migrate the "duplicate", leave it open or close it for being off-topic. Perhaps check with Laurel or Glorfindel who have been members of different communities for a substantial number of years
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 8:36
  • Thanks for that helpful link. It doesn't mention the 1-year-gap-and-two-different-users heuristic, and seems to contradict your statement that mods will probably close or delete the question. Can you show me something that supports those things? I don't have any preferences myself on how this should be handled; this is just me doing my due diligence before acting.
    – gotube Mod
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 19:39
  • @gotube Then it must have been my own, very sensible idea :). Have you asked Glorfindle and Laurel for their input? They are members and moderators of several SE websites, and also frequent contributors to SE Meta
    – Mari-Lou A
    Commented Sep 8, 2023 at 19:56

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