[Grammar] at/on Christmas (Day)

[forinfo]

Hello,

In GIU Intermediate p.236, the author says "We use at in these expressions: ex. Do you give each other presents
at Christmas?" This is section B on p.236.

In section A, the author says "on Christmas Day".

So, when you have the word day, you should use the preposition at, not on?

 

[Rover_KE]

So [no comma here] when you have the word 'day', [STRIKE]you[/STRIKE] should I use the preposition 'at', not 'on'?

When our North American friends wake up in a few hours, they'll confirm that they frequently say 'on Christmas'.

***

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[emsr2d2]

Hello,

In GIU Intermediate p.236, the author says "We use at in these expressions: ex. Do you give each other presents at Christmas?" This is section B on p.236.

In section A, the author says "on Christmas Day".

So, when you have the word "day", you should use the preposition "at", not "on"?

Your example shows the opposite of your final question. When the word "Day" is included (in that example), we use "on", not "at".

What are you doing at Christmas?
What are you doing on Christmas Day?

Where are you going at Easter?
Where are you going on Easter Sunday?

Who will you be with at New Year?
Who will you be with on New Year's Day?

Note that with all three examples in which I have used "at" above, we also use "for" in BrE.

 

[Tdol]

At Christmas can refer to the general period, not only the 25th.

 

[SoothingDave]

Yes, I would understand "on Christmas" to mean on that very day, December 25. "At Christmas" would be some time during the holidays.

 

[jutfrank]

At Christmas can refer to the general period, not only the 25th.

It refers only to the holiday period conceived generally. It's very unlikely anyone would mean the day of the 25th. If so, they would use on.

We use at to locate a point in time or space. When we say at Christmas, we conceive Christmas to be a point in the year.

 

[Tdol]

We're just discussing the length of the point. :up: