[Grammar] The performance will start ....... ON six.

[tom3m]

The performance will start ....... on six.

I have always thought that we may use only AT when it comes to time and particular hours (at ten, at half past two etc.). Why is there in the sentence ON, then?

 

[bhaisahab]

The performance will start ....... on six.

I have always thought that we may use only AT when it comes to time and particular hours (at ten, at half past two etc.). Why is there in the sentence ON, then?

What is missing from the space?

 

[5jj]

What is missing from the space?

... (I'm going to count from one) ...


?

 

[konungursvia]

I think that in broadcasting, Americans say "on 3" and then count out loud "1.... 2.... and--" while giving only a hand signal for the final count of 3.

We say "at" a time, such as six O'clock, and "on" a beat, musically, or a count, in terms of a moment.

 

[tom3m]

dead ​is missing.

 

[emsr2d2]

There we go! There is your answer. The phrase "dead on" when referring to time means "at exactly".

 

[5jj]

Wouldn't it save us all a lot of time if members gave us enough context with their original questions?

If only!

 

[emsr2d2]

Wouldn't it save us all a lot of time if members gave us enough context with their original questions?

If only!

I live in hope, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[Rover_KE]

Why on earth did Tom type seven dots both times instead of 'dead'?

 

[emsr2d2]

Maybe he's superstitious and doesn't like mentioning anything to do with death! :-?

 

[5jj]

Why on earth did Tom type seven dots both times instead of 'dead'?

I've just timed it. It took me 98.3% longer to type 'dead' than '.......'. My wife, who in another life was a shorthand typist, was only 1.37% faster with the '.......'.

Sherloc5 therefore deduces (or is it 'induces'?) that Tom is not a trained typist.

 

[tom3m]

You are right - Tom isn't a trained typist. He isn't superstitious etiher. The reason for writing the dots was beacause I didn't know the answer. After a little searching I found that 'dead on' is a phrase, which I hadn't known.

 

[emsr2d2]

You are right - Tom isn't a trained typist. He isn't superstitious etiher. The reason for writing the dots was beacause I didn't know the answer. After a little searching I found that 'dead on' is a phrase, which I hadn't known.

So it wasn't post #6 from me which specifically told you that "dead on" is a phrase meaning "at exactly" which gave you the answer? That's strange because you "Liked" that post so I assumed you had read it.

 

[SoothingDave]

I think that in broadcasting, Americans say "on 3" and then count out loud "1.... 2.... and--" while giving only a hand signal for the final count of 3.

We say "at" a time, such as six O'clock, and "on" a beat, musically, or a count, in terms of a moment.

Correct, except it's a countdown.