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Katerin “Lord Pigeon” Bertsen Posted 10 years ago
Grammar
Why is the verb "arrive" used with a preposition "at"?
So I have been thinking about the verb “to arrive” and why is it used with a preposition “at” (or “in”), while other verbs that describe action are used with a preposition “to”.
Since the preposition “at” may also be used to “indicate a direction, goal, or an attempt to do something or reach something”, it makes sense why it MIGHT in theory be used with this preposition, but it doesn’t explain why it IS.
I have heard some people say that it’s because “arrive” is a verb of position, not movement, but even so it still seems a bit unclear. WHY is it a verb of position then, when it clearly describes an action of arrival, which is a movement?
Or is it just simply an unexplainable exception from a rule?
Please help and thank you!
Since the preposition “at” may also be used to “indicate a direction, goal, or an attempt to do something or reach something”, it makes sense why it MIGHT in theory be used with this preposition, but it doesn’t explain why it IS.
I have heard some people say that it’s because “arrive” is a verb of position, not movement, but even so it still seems a bit unclear. WHY is it a verb of position then, when it clearly describes an action of arrival, which is a movement?
Or is it just simply an unexplainable exception from a rule?
Please help and thank you!
Top answer
" The train arrived safely at its final destination. ( At used for a particular point. It is the train that moves.
- " The train arrived safely at its final destination.
- ( At used for a particular point.
- It is the train that moves.
- ) The train arrived in Barcelona at exactly 14:58.
- ) The combination of verbs and prepositions is one of convention.
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1 Answers
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Here are the prepositions used with "arrive."
The train arrived safely at its final destination. (At used for a particular point. It is the train that moves. )
The train arrived in Barcelona at exactly 14:58. (In used for a geographic area, not a point.)
The combination of verbs and prepositions is one of convention. There is no "rule" as to wh
The train arrived safely at its final destination. (At used for a particular point. It is the train that moves. )
The train arrived in Barcelona at exactly 14:58. (In used for a geographic area, not a point.)
The combination of verbs and prepositions is one of convention. There is no "rule" as to wh
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