"at weekends" and "on weekend"

Tvita · #1 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 08:56

Could you please explain to me a difference between "at weekends" and "on weekends"?

And the second question in the question above should I use acticle 'a' or 'the' before the difference?

naomimalan · #2 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 09:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvita

Could you please explain to me a difference between "at weekends" and "on weekends"?

And the second question in the question above should I use acticle 'a' or 'the' before the difference?

"at the weekend" / "at weekends" is British English
"on the weekend" / "on weekends" is American English

You don't put "the" if you're talking about weekends in general e.g "I love my job so much that at /on weekends I feel a bit depressed."

cf "Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English", Third Edition.

Tvita · #3 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by naomimalan

"at the weekend" / "at weekends" is British English
"on the weekend" / "on weekends" is American English

You don't put "the" if you're talking about weekends in general e.g "I love my job so much that at /on the weekends I feel a bit depressed."

cf "Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English", Third Edition.

I mean 'a' or 'the' before the "difference" in my question :)

Could you please explain to me a/the difference between "at weekends" and "on weekends"?

engee30 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by naomimalan

You don't put "the" if you're talking about weekends in general e.g "I love my job so much that at /on the weekends I feel a bit depressed."

So why did you use the in your sentence, Naomi?

You could also convey the same meaning through saying:

I love my job so much that at/on the weekend I feel a bit depressed.

engee30 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 09:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvita

I mean 'a' or 'the' before the "difference" in my question :)

Could you please explain to me a/the difference between "at weekends" and "on weekends"?

You use the in sentences like these:

The accident happened on the weekend of 2 and 3 May.
This month I have a lot of extra work to do, so I'm working at/on the weekends.
or
...so I'm working every weekend.

Tvita · #6 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by engee30

You use the in sentences like these:

The accident happened on the weekend of 2 and 3 May.
This month I have a lot of extra work to do, so I'm working at/on the weekends.
or
...so I'm working every weekend.

Sorry, but I am not asking about 'the' before weekends - I am asking about 'a/the' before the word 'difference' in this question:

Could you please explain to me a/the difference between.... :)

banderas · #7 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tvita

Sorry, but I am not asking about 'the' before weekends - I am asking about 'a/the' before the word 'difference' in this question:

Could you please explain to me a/the difference between.... :)

Where did you see "at a weekend"?any examples?

jamiep · #8 (**permalink**) 02-Apr-2008, 10:06

Is there a difference between "on" or "at" the weekend?

You don't know if there is a difference or not.

What is the difference.........?

You already know they are different but want to know what.

As stated already there isn't any real difference in meaning just a difference in types of English.