is it right to say: "The book is in the desk"
K kofufet Member Joined Jun 7, 2013 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language Yoruba Home Country Nigeria Current Location Japan Oct 23, 2013 #1 is it right to say: "The book is in the desk"
MikeNewYork VIP Member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Member Type Academic Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Oct 23, 2013 #2 kofufet said: is it right to say: "The book is in the desk" Click to expand... Yes.
W Winwin2011 Senior Member Joined Aug 4, 2011 Member Type Interested in Language Native Language Chinese Home Country Hong Kong Current Location Hong Kong Oct 23, 2013 #3 MikeNewYork said: Yes. Click to expand... Hello Mike If we say "The book is in the desk," does it mean that the book is in the drawer of the desk?
MikeNewYork said: Yes. Click to expand... Hello Mike If we say "The book is in the desk," does it mean that the book is in the drawer of the desk?
MikeNewYork VIP Member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Member Type Academic Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Oct 23, 2013 #4 Winwin2011 said: Hello Mike If we say "The book is in the desk," does it mean that the book is in the drawer of the desk? Click to expand... A drawer or some other compartment.
Winwin2011 said: Hello Mike If we say "The book is in the desk," does it mean that the book is in the drawer of the desk? Click to expand... A drawer or some other compartment.
K kite Member Joined Sep 12, 2013 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Hindi Home Country India Current Location India Oct 23, 2013 #5 NOT A TEACHER. I am a little bit confused about Mike's answer. Mike, if I say "The book is on the desk", is it wrong?
NOT A TEACHER. I am a little bit confused about Mike's answer. Mike, if I say "The book is on the desk", is it wrong?
5jj Moderator Staff member Joined Oct 14, 2010 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country Czech Republic Current Location Czech Republic Oct 23, 2013 #6 kite said: NOT A TEACHER. I am a little bit confused about Mike's answer. Mike, if I say "The book is on the desk", is it wrong? Click to expand... It's wrong if the book is in the desk; it's right if the book is on the desk.
kite said: NOT A TEACHER. I am a little bit confused about Mike's answer. Mike, if I say "The book is on the desk", is it wrong? Click to expand... It's wrong if the book is in the desk; it's right if the book is on the desk.
K kite Member Joined Sep 12, 2013 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Hindi Home Country India Current Location India Oct 23, 2013 #7 Perhaps this might be another difference between AmE and BrE.
emsr2d2 Moderator Staff member Joined Jul 28, 2009 Member Type English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country UK Current Location UK Oct 23, 2013 #8 No, I'm pretty sure that with books and desks, in means in and on means on in both variants. Here's a book on a desk: And here's a book (well, a folder) in a desk: Last edited: Oct 23, 2013
No, I'm pretty sure that with books and desks, in means in and on means on in both variants. Here's a book on a desk: And here's a book (well, a folder) in a desk:
MikeNewYork VIP Member Joined Nov 13, 2002 Member Type Academic Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Oct 23, 2013 #9 kite said: Perhaps this might be another difference between AmE and BrE. Click to expand... I don't think there is a difference. Something can be on a desk or in a desk.
kite said: Perhaps this might be another difference between AmE and BrE. Click to expand... I don't think there is a difference. Something can be on a desk or in a desk.
Boris Tatarenko Senior Member Joined May 6, 2013 Member Type Student or Learner Native Language Russian Home Country Russian Federation Current Location Russian Federation Oct 23, 2013 #10 I guess "at the desk" is completely wierd. Am I right?
R Rover_KE Moderator Staff member Joined Jun 20, 2010 Member Type Retired English Teacher Native Language British English Home Country England Current Location England Oct 23, 2013 #11 A book wouldn't be 'at the desk', but it's not at all weird to say 'I was sitting at the desk when the phone rang'.
A book wouldn't be 'at the desk', but it's not at all weird to say 'I was sitting at the desk when the phone rang'.