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prepositions

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Anonymous

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Could you, please, clarify the differences between the following sentences and point out the most acceptable options? :?:

1. I have a house ON the beach. and I have a house AT the beach.

2. My house is always full OF friends. and My house is always full WITH friends.

3. I'm a nurse. If I have work AT the hospital, I get up early. and If I have work IN the hospital, I get up early.
 
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RonBee

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Context.

1. I have a house ON the beach. and I have a house AT the beach.
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a. I have a house on the beach.
b. I have a house at the beach.

There does not seem to be any difference in meaning between the two sentences. Context would indicate if any meaning is intended other than that which is apparent.

2. My house is always full OF friends. and My house is always full WITH friends.
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a. My house is always full of friends.
b. My house is always full with friends.

Those two sentences seem to mean somewhat different things, but without context I cannot be sure of that. Anything I would say would be speculation only.

3. I'm a nurse. If I have work AT the hospital, I get up early. and If I have work IN the hospital, I get up early.
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a. If I have work at the hospital, I get up early.
b. If I have work in the hospital, I get up early.

It is hard for me to see how there could be any real difference in meaning between the two sentences; however, I would expect the first one to occur much more often. Surely if you have work at the hospital it is going to be done in the hospital. Context would reveal any differences in meaning (if any) between the two constructions.

8)
 
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ESL-lover

Junior Member
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May 22, 2003
Member Type
English Teacher
. My house is always full of friends.
b. My house is always full with friends.

Those two sentences seem to mean somewhat different things, but without context I cannot be sure of that. Anything I would say would be speculation only.

We can say:
I sat on the beach.
I live on island.
I have a house on the beach.
BUT NOT AT THE BEACH.
Thanks........
 
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RonBee

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English is a funny language. ;-)

ESL-lover said:
. My house is always full of friends.
b. My house is always full with friends.

Those two sentences seem to mean somewhat different things, but without context I cannot be sure of that. Anything I would say would be speculation only.

We can say:
I sat on the beach.
I live on island.
I have a house on the beach.
BUT NOT AT THE BEACH.
Thanks........
Click to expand...

All of those are good, except you should say, "I live on an island."

8)
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
I sat AT the beach means near and not exactly ON. The beach can be a term used for the area around the and including the beach. (shops, cafès parks etc.)

Full WITH friends indicates that they are participants in filling the house.

Full OF friends describes the state of the house regarding fullness/emptiness.

Basically speaking.

"Full of" would be more common.
 
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