[Grammar] A Question about the "Day"

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harllim

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Hi, everybody

I was wondering which one is more commonly used in your daily lifes, I go to church every Sunday or I go to church on Sundays. I can not tell the difference. I will appreciate if you can tell me their difference.
 

5jj

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1. I go to church every Sunday
2. I go to church on Sundays.


The first one says that you go to church 52 times a year; the second doesn't.
 

harllim

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1. I go to church every Sunday
2. I go to church on Sundays.

The first one says that you go to church 52 times a year; the second doesn't.


Can I know which one you prefer to say?
 

SoothingDave

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1. I go to church every Sunday
2. I go to church on Sundays.


The first one says that you go to church 52 times a year; the second doesn't.

I don't agree. I think they have the same meaning.
 

harllim

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Which one do you prefer to use?
For me, I prefer to use the first.
 

5jj

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SoothingDave

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So does "on Sundays." If I said "On Saturdays I go shopping for groceries," wouldn't you think I meant every Saturday?
 

5jj

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No. If I meant 'every', I'd say 'every'.
It seems we'll have to agree to differ.
 

Rover_KE

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To me, 'I go to church on Sundays' means that I don't go to any of the weekday services.

Rover
 

5jj

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What does: On Wednesdays I go shopping / And have buttered scones for tea mean?

I always thought it meant he had a regular habit of going shopping on Wednesday.
I agree.

I also agree that 'on' does not necessarily suggest that he does not do it 52 times a year, and that 'every' does not necessarily mean that he does do it 52 times a year (unless it is heavily stressed).

However, in the original example, I feel that a person who goes to church three times a month would not use 'every', so, for me, there can be a difference - sometimes.
 
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