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DaesungKim
at Christmas Hi ! I know that I should use 'on' before a day, i.e. on Sunday, on Independence Day. But before Christmas, 'at' is used. Are there any other cases where you use a preposition other than 'on' before a day? Thank you. :)
2020년 4월 29일 오전 3:38
답변 · 9
1
In British English, the rule is clear. We use 'on' for single days and 'at' for holidays/festivals which last for two or more days. This includes 'weekend'. For example: on Wednesday on 24th June on your birthday on St Patrick's Day on Christmas Day on New Year's Day on Easter Sunday at Christmas at Easter ( a Christian festival) at Ramadan (a Muslim festival) at Hannukah (a Jewish festival) To answer your question, we say 'at Christmas' to refer to the whole Christmas period, which lasts several days (or even weeks). This is different from 'on Christmas Day', which refers only to 25th December. Likewise, we say 'at Hallowe'en' to refer to the whole period of several weeks when everyone seems to be obsessed with pumpkins and spider's webs and suchlike. I hope that makes sense. It's certainly a logical and consistent system which makes sense to everyone around the world who speaks or has learnt British English. American English is different in this regard, as American English does not tend to use 'at' for periods in the calendar. This is why speakers of AmE will say 'on the weekend' as opposed to 'at the weekend'.
2020년 4월 29일
1
In British English we tend to use AT for festivals, Eg. AT Christmas, AT Easter. And we usually say AT the weekend, whereas Americans say ON the weekend i believe. It 's a little confusing for English learners dealing with American English vs. British English
2020년 4월 29일
No I don’t think so, thank goodness It’s complex enough haha 😊
2020년 4월 29일
Thank you Gonz and Toni :) It was great help. Have a good day!!
2020년 4월 29일
What do you mean "at Christmas"? In English I would say "You will get your presents on Christmas" I might say "You will get your presents at Christmas time." I'm American though, maybe Europeans use at for Christmas all the time, not sure tho.
2020년 4월 29일
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