Lesson in/on/of

[Nonverbis]

Grammar by Golitsinskij (ISBN 978-5-995-0587-0).



Could you tell me whether this is a m istake or not?
As far as I can see in dictionaries,
lesson in/on something. But not of something.

 

[5jj]

lesson of geography/mathematics is incorrect.

 

[Nonverbis]

Is there any difference between in and on?

For example:

He took lessons in Thai cookery.
He took a history lesson on the Roman Empire.

Can I use in and on arbitrary here or there is some difference between the meening?

 

[emsr2d2]

View attachment 4183

Source: Grammar by Golitsinskij (ISBN 978-5-995-0587-0)

Could you tell me whether this is a mistake or not? As far as I can see in dictionaries, we can use "a lesson in/on something" no full stop here but not "of something".

Please note my corrections to the layout above. Try to put the "Source: ..." line as close as possible to the actual quote, but not before it.

 

[emsr2d2]

Is there any difference between "in" and "on"?

For example:

He took lessons in Thai cookery.
He took a history lesson on the Roman Empire.

Can I use "in" and "on" arbitrarily here or [STRIKE]there[/STRIKE] is there some difference [STRIKE]between the[/STRIKE] in meaning between them?

Please note my corrections above. You must get into the habit of marking out the words you are asking us about, to make the stand out from the rest of your text.

The first refers to a practical lesson. I imagine he was actually learning how to cook, not just taking a theoretical lesson on Thai cookery. It is, of course, far more natural to say "He took Thai cookery lessons".
The second is more about theory. When we talk about subjects like history, we tend to use "on".

Sometimes, there is no logical pattern to prepositions in English. You just have to learn them in context each time you stumble across them in your reading.

 

[canadalynx]

I am not a teacher.

The word ‘cookery’ isn’t common in my speech community.
We use ‘cooking’ instead.

He took Thai cooking lessons.

 

[emsr2d2]

I am not a teacher.

The word ‘cookery’ isn’t common in my speech community.
We use ‘cooking’ instead.

He took Thai cooking lessons.

Which "speech community" are you talking about? Native speakers or non-native speakers? In China, Brunei or Australia?

Nonverbis, you might hear "cookery" or "cooking" in that particular sentence. However, there are certainly contexts in which only "cookery" would work. For example:

I'm so excited! A new Thai cookery school has opened across the road from where I live. ("... a Thai cooking school" would be wrong.)
Do you have a vegetarian cookery book I can borrow? ("... vegetarian cooking book" would be wrong.)

In the second example, you'll also hear "recipe book".

 

[Skrej]

'Cookery' is so unusual in AmE that I'd call it unnatural. A couple of dictionaries I checked list it as BrE.

'Thai cooking school' is natural in AmE. However, AmE would use 'cook book', though instead of 'cooking book'.

One might hear "Thai culinary school', I suppose.

 

[canadalynx]

@emsr2d2

My speech community refers to the native speakers in my current location.

I don't know how you got China on your list.

 

[5jj]

My speech community refers to the native speakers in my current location.

As you give your native language as Chinese, it is quite possible that your local speech community is a Chinese-speaking one wherever you are.

 

[canadalynx]

That's not the case.
It is just an assumption from your part.

Besides, there are many Chinese-speaking areas in this world - not just China.
Please don't assume my speech community based on my first language. That would be discriminating.

 

[emsr2d2]

That's not the case. It is just an assumption [STRIKE]from[/STRIKE] on your part.

Besides, there are many Chinese-speaking areas in this world - not just China.
Please don't assume my speech community is based on my first language. That would be discriminating.

No one assumed anything. That's exactly why I asked you which "speech community" you were talking about. When someone's profile is so mixed, we can't always be sure which aspect of it they might be referring to.

 

[canadalynx]

Of course and I wonder how did you get China on your list.
My profile is not "that" mixed.
It's just a question of exposure/open-mindedness.

I disagree with 5jj in regard to this matter.

 

[emsr2d2]

Of course and I wonder how [STRIKE]did you get[/STRIKE] you got China on your list.
My profile is not "that" mixed.
It's just a question of exposure/open-mindedness.

I disagree with 5jj in regard to this matter.

We've already explained how we got to China - simply the fact that your native language says Chinese. We are very open-minded here but I can assure you that there are not many members who have three geographically different aspects to their profile.

 

[5jj]

I disagree with 5jj in regard to this matter.

I take it that you are referring to my As you give your native language as Chinese, it is quite possible that your local speech community is a Chinese-speaking one wherever you are.

I really don't see why you disagree.

I have been permanently resident in the Czech Republic for sixteen years, and I have been granted Czech citizenship. Unfortunately, because of my linguistic incompetence, I speak almost no Czech. So, my local speech community is an English-speaking one.

 

[Tarheel]

That's not the case.
It is just an assumption from your part.

Besides, there are many Chinese-speaking areas in this world - not just China.
Please don't assume my speech community based on my first language. That would be discriminatory.

OK.

 

[canadalynx]

I take it that you are referring to my As you give your native language as Chinese, it is quite possible that your local speech community is a Chinese-speaking one wherever you are.

I really don't see why you disagree.

I disagree because it is incorrect.

I have been permanently resident in the Czech Republic for sixteen years, and I have been granted Czech citizenship. Unfortunately, because of my linguistic incompetence, I speak almost no Czech. So, my local speech community is an English-speaking one.

There you go - we know why.

I have answered esmr2d2's question in respect of my speech community.
I reiterate "There are many Chinese-speaking areas in this world - not just China".

 

[5jj]

As you give your native language as Chinese, it is quite possible that your local speech community is a Chinese-speaking one wherever you are.

That is not 'incorrect'. It is presenting one possible situation

 

[canadalynx]

The one possible situation you're referring to is incorrect in my case.
Hence, your assumption is wrong.

There is no link between me and China - not in my profile.
You can use Chinese-speaking community/area/circle etc. but not China in this context.

 

[teechar]

I have answered esmr2d2's question in respect of my speech community.

No, you haven't. We're still none the wiser as to your "speech community" -- Chinese or English, native or non-native.

That would be discriminating.

And what's wrong with that? Discrimination in itself need not be bad. I discriminate all the time, between cheap and expensive, hot and cold, old and new, etc. Do you get the idea? "Discrimination" is not always a negative word. Look it up in the dictionary if you don't believe me. Here on this forum, we may discriminate between native and non-native speakers of English, teachers and those without formal qualifications, proficient speakers and learners, etc. This is not because of personal bias but because of the nature of this platform.

Finally, neither emsr2d2 nor 5jj said anything that warranted that rant from you. If you want to learn English, you're welcome here, but if you want to discuss political correctness, then please go elsewhere.

Thread closed!