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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 12-Sep-2008, 04:57
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Default punch [in/on] the face

Good day!

Could you please explain to me why is the "punch him in the face" and not "punch on the face" ..

Thank you.
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 08:34
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Hi queux

As a Brit, but not a teacher, I would advise that I would say:

"... punch someone in the face/eye.", but
"... punch someone on the nose/forehead/cheek/chin etc."

"In" suggests in the middle of the face or, effectively, into the eye socket.

It's not a full answer, but I hope it helps

Regards
NT

Last edited by Neillythere; 12-Sep-2008 at 08:49.
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 08:43
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Hello,

But what when sb hit sb with a big pan ?
Is "on face" or "in face" ?


Cheers,
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 09:10
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Hi Jaskin

Sb ends up with a big bruise/bump (visible) on their face!

In a case like that, I would probably have used the term "head" rather than "face".

Regards
NT

PS The impact probably will probably only be on a limited portion of the face (hence the use of "in" rather than "on".
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 09:20
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neillythere View Post
Hi Jaskin

Sb ends up with a big bruise/bump (visible) on their face!

In a case like that, I would probably have used the term "head" rather than "face".

Regards
NT

PS The impact probably will probably only be on a limited portion of the face (hence the use of "in" rather than "on".
Hi Neilly..

could you pls explain me what does Sb mean?

Thank you
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 09:50
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

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Originally Posted by Keralite View Post
Hi Neilly..

could you pls explain me what does Sb mean?

Thank you
I'm not Neilly but I hope that I'll do, it a texting abbreviation for "somebody", better not to use it or others like it on an English language site, I think.
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 10:57
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Quote:
Originally Posted by queux View Post
Good day!

Could you please explain to me why is the "punch him in the face" and not "punch on the face" ..

Thank you.
I think it's just the way we say it. It has nothing really to do with the shape of the face or the fist. We punch someone in the stomach, in the chest, etc.
We also kick someone in the head, in the knee, in the back, etc.
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 11:38
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Hello,
Quote:
We also kick someone in the head, in the knee, in the back, etc.
What is very sad, I think.

Cheers,
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 12:00
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

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Originally Posted by Jaskin View Post
Hello,

What (Which) is very sad, I think.

Cheers,
Yes it is.
Fortunately we don't do it often.
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Old 12-Sep-2008, 16:20
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Default Re: punch [in/on] the face

Hi Keralite

Many apologies. I was just responding to the previous post, who used the term "Sb". It's an abreviation that I don't normally use, but felt appropriate as a response "in kind" (i.e. like-for-like). I promise not to use such abreviations again!

Best regards
NT
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