I go to school at 8:30 a.m.

Question

I've been learning English for years, and still such a simple question as this often bothers me.

For example, when I say "I go to school at 8:30", does it refer to the time "I leave for my school" or the time "I get to my school" ?

I'm asking this because it seems that "go to school" could mean both.

For example, if I say "I must go to school by 6 tomorrow", this "go to school" seems to mean "get to my school", while if I say "It's time to go to school", this one seems to mean "leave for school".

Please help me !!!

TeacherJoe · Accepted Answer

Ha ha ha! We want language to be scientific but we'll always be disappointed! I was just reading about English in the U.S. about 100 years ago or so. At that time people wouldn't say "disgusting" words such as "foot" or "knee" or any other body part below the waist. The only word used at that time was "ankle"! We are obviously much less shy about talking about our bodies these days, but there are thousands and thousands of ways that language is still illogical. Just to give two examples, "going up the street" and "going down the street" could be the same direction! Winter could be "as cold as ****" while summer could be "as hot as ****". There's no logic to it!

To try to be a bit more helpful with your question, you have to be more specific if you want to communicate an exact meaning and be sure you're understood. You could say "I have to get to school by 8:30" or "I have to leave home by 8:30". Or, the context could make your meaning clear. "I have to go to school by 8:30 because they won't let me into the test after that time".

Draque · Answer

Thank you so much !

I go to school at 8:30 a.m.

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