I often hear teachers say "Open the book to page xx." Some of them say "Open the book on page xx." Which is more appropriate? To or on?
Thanks for answering my question. A good explanation on that one is highly appreciated.
**********
NOT A TEACHER **********
Hello, Fillet.
(1) I am sure that you will receive many interesting answers.
(2) May I give you my views:
(a) I
think that almost all Americans are more comfortable with:
Please open your books
to page 453. =
Please open your books and keep turning the pages until you reach
page 453.
(b) I
hear that many British people prefer
at.
(c) I believe that
on is very difficult to do. It seems to say:
When you open your books, you must be immediately on page
453. I think that it would be very difficult for most people to
do that. Most of us would estimate where page 453 is, and then
we would open the book and keep turning until we found page 453.
Of course, if your teachers use
on, they do
not expect you to be
that skillful. Apparently, they have just decided to use
on instead of
to or
at.
There are now many varieties of English in the world.
Thank you