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Simon_phlui Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
In school, at school
Is there any difference between the phrases "in school" and "at school"?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Top answer
Yes, there's a difference, but not much of a difference. When we think of someone who is enrolled as a student, we use "in school". My five-year old will be in school for the first time this fall.
- Yes, there's a difference, but not much of a difference.
- When we think of someone who is enrolled as a student, we use "in school".
- My five-year old will be in school for the first time this fall.
- Did you see that little kid running around in the neighbor's yard?
- Believe it or not, he's already in school.
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8 Answers
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Yes, there's a difference, but not much of a difference.
When we think of someone who is enrolled as a student, we use "in school".
My five-year old will be in school for the first time this fall.
Did you see that little kid running around in the neighbor's yard? Believe it or not, he's already in school.
Summer is over. Now all the children are in school again.
When we think of someone who is enrolled as a student, we use "in school".
My five-year old will be in school for the first time this fall.
Did you see that little kid running around in the neighbor's yard? Believe it or not, he's already in school.
Summer is over. Now all the children are in school again.
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Hello CJ
Which one sounds more natural?
1) Students at CalfJim School should learn at least two foreign languages.
2) Students in CalfJim School should learn at least two foreign languages.
paco
Which one sounds more natural?
1) Students at CalfJim School should learn at least two foreign languages.
2) Students in CalfJim School should learn at least two foreign languages.
paco
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I can't decide. They both sound fine.
To me, the very slight difference is this:
1) talks about students who attend the school and participate in the activities of the school.
2) talks about students who are enrolled in courses at the school.
I find it impossible to decide which I would say myself in a situation which required me to say one or the other! I'd p
To me, the very slight difference is this:
1) talks about students who attend the school and participate in the activities of the school.
2) talks about students who are enrolled in courses at the school.
I find it impossible to decide which I would say myself in a situation which required me to say one or the other! I'd p
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CJ
Thank you for the quick reply. I found a question just the same as Simon's in [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv9.shtml"]BBC English QA site[/url] and there the answerer is suggesting we should choose rather '
Thank you for the quick reply. I found a question just the same as Simon's in [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv9.shtml"]BBC English QA site[/url] and there the answerer is suggesting we should choose rather '
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You're welcome.
Note that you (and Taka and Hela and quite a few others) pose questions that I (and others, I think) find very difficult. They seem easy, but appearances are deceiving.
Let me explain with this: A millipede was once asked to explain how he could possibly manage to walk. "With all those legs, it must be difficult to coordinate them all. How can you do it?"
Note that you (and Taka and Hela and quite a few others) pose questions that I (and others, I think) find very difficult. They seem easy, but appearances are deceiving.
Let me explain with this: A millipede was once asked to explain how he could possibly manage to walk. "With all those legs, it must be difficult to coordinate them all. How can you do it?"
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Hello CJ
I understand what you mean. I know it is not easy for native speakers to give a logical explanation to every usage of their tongue. I often felt the same way as you do when I was posting on line answers to questions from Japanese learners. I have to caution myself that I should not be a mathematician when learning a language.
paco
I understand what you mean. I know it is not easy for native speakers to give a logical explanation to every usage of their tongue. I often felt the same way as you do when I was posting on line answers to questions from Japanese learners. I have to caution myself that I should not be a mathematician when learning a language.
paco
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We we think of someone who is physically present on the grounds of the school, whether outside or inside of the school, participating in the activities of the school, we use "at school".
The above from Califjim.
My brother is a teacher.
Let us say now he has gone to the school because he has to conduct some lessons.
Where is he?
He is in school.
The above from Califjim.
My brother is a teacher.
Let us say now he has gone to the school because he has to conduct some lessons.
Where is he?
He is in school.
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My brother is a teacher.
Let us say now he has gone to the school because he has to conduct some lessons.
Where is he?
"He's at school!"
Yes, that's exactly what I would say!
(I can't speak for the idea of AmE vs. BrE.)
CJ
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