Representing when, where, how and why
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Representing when | page 3 of 11 |
Using prepositional phrases: at
At is commonly used to indicate points of time:
The show will start at 2 pm and wind up at 6 pm. (SCMP 18/11/92)
If I don't get to work at one o'clock I won't be back at a quarter past one. (Bank of English)
At is also used to express short periods of time:
You haven't really got a contract at that time, have you? (Bank of English)
The man shot outside a north Belfast school at breakfast time was James Henry Babbington, 52, a Catholic. (Microconcord Corpus A)
In the following examples, at is used for short holiday periods:
"He was visiting the house at Christmas," Moore recalls.
(Microconcord Corpus A)At New Year and Easter a significant number of people leave Hong Kong. (SCMP 16/4/94)
... if he wanted to come back at festival time. (Bank of English)
At the weekend is used in British English while on the weekend is preferred in American English:
The couple is expected to have a week-long honeymoon before returning to Hong Kong at the weekend. (SCMP 22/6/92)
They hoped their forums could be held on the weekend. (SCMP 25/9/92)
Introduction
Using prepositional phrases: at
