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Hole One a New See Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
At school
Hi everybody,
What does 'at school' exactly mean? As far as I know, it means that, somebody/something is in a place which is called 'school'. For example in a sequence of sentences like this:
"He has two sisters. Their names are Alison and Molly. They're both at school."
Does it also mean that they are currently studying at that school (= they didn't finished it so far)(in Br English)? If it means both then how could I decide the appropriate meaning (if I can see only these sentences)?
Thanks for your help in advance.
What does 'at school' exactly mean? As far as I know, it means that, somebody/something is in a place which is called 'school'. For example in a sequence of sentences like this:
"He has two sisters. Their names are Alison and Molly. They're both at school."
Does it also mean that they are currently studying at that school (= they didn't finished it so far)(in Br English)? If it means both then how could I decide the appropriate meaning (if I can see only these sentences)?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Top answer
AS I understand it "they are at school" means they study at school. and "they are in school" means that right now they are "in a place which is called 'school'"
- AS I understand it "they are at school" means they study at school.
- and "they are in school" means that right now they are "in a place which is called 'school'"
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6 Answers
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AS I understand it "they are at school" means they study at school.
and "they are in school" means that right now they are "in a place which is called 'school'"
and "they are in school" means that right now they are "in a place which is called 'school'"
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As I can see, 'in' is the US English use of 'at' if we talk about "the time during your life when you go to a school'".
Furthermore, as I can see, 'at' and 'in' are also good (in both English [Bre and US] if we emphasize the place (for example the time during their classes).
I saw it in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Now I read it second it seems clear. Maybe I as
Furthermore, as I can see, 'at' and 'in' are also good (in both English [Bre and US] if we emphasize the place (for example the time during their classes).
I saw it in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Now I read it second it seems clear. Maybe I as
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American answer:
Q: Where's Mary?
A: She's at school.
This can only mean that she is at this moment attending her usual classes at her school. "She's in school" is not possible.
Q: Where's Mary?
A: She's at the school.
This can only mean that she is in or near the school one would expect, whether she is at that moment taking a class there or not.
Q: Where's Mary?
A: She's at school.
This can only mean that she is at this moment attending her usual classes at her school. "She's in school" is not possible.
Q: Where's Mary?
A: She's at the school.
This can only mean that she is in or near the school one would expect, whether she is at that moment taking a class there or not.
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Thank you very much.
By the way, I'm still waiting for comments from other people too (for example UK native speakers, a teacher, etc.).
By the way, I'm still waiting for comments from other people too (for example UK native speakers, a teacher, etc.).
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In my experience, "at school" can refer to a location or the institution in general, or any school for that matter.
You are not allowed to use your cell phone at school.
"in school" is more likely to refer to a status, to being enrolled in a school, or simply being a student:
He's 25 and still in school.
And let's not forget the old song that went:
You are not allowed to use your cell phone at school.
"in school" is more likely to refer to a status, to being enrolled in a school, or simply being a student:
He's 25 and still in school.
And let's not forget the old song that went:
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