English Difference between American and British

1. 58

   egivposted 15 years ago

   I am a relatively new American ESL teacher and fell into crisis the other day teaching prepositions (ON Christmas, ON the weekend, AT noon) when my student looked at me like I was an idiot and pointed out that the (British) textbook said AT Christmas and AT the weekend. Despite feeling a little dumb to be contradicted by the book, "at Halloween" or "at Easter" just doesn't sound right. I haven't been able to find a good explanation of whether it is a difference between American and British English, or if I have just always said it wrong!
   
   So I ask both the Americans and British, what do you use? On or at??

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   1. 91

      rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      ON is used for specific days and special calendar days
      
      we are going to sallys ON christmas day.
      we are going to a show ON saturday.
      
      we will have fun AT christmastime.
      i will dress up ON halloween.
      
      tricky lil prepositions

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      1. 58

         egivposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I totally agreed... until the textbook I was teaching out of said AT! Are you American? I'm now pretty sure it's a difference in British/American, I usually try and explain all different ways of saying things when I teach. Live and learn! Thanks for the help.
         
         PS I figured out what a queue is after being asked "Are you queuing?" about 20 times in one day and giving 20 blank stares haha.

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2. 0

   EmpressFelicityposted 15 years ago

   I use "at" and I'm British.

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3. 53

   wrenfrost56posted 15 years ago

   Me too, I'm a brit and I use "at" too!

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4. 60

   Jonathan Jancoposted 15 years ago

   I use ON Christmas if I'm referring to the date.
   I use AT Christmas if I'm referring to the event of celebrating.

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   1. 67

      Ivorwenposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Just what I was thinking.

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5. 93

   Paragliderposted 15 years ago

   I'm British (Scottish) and would say 'at Christmas' but would say 'on Christmas Day'

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      EmpressFelicityposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Ooh yeah, good point.  Same here.

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6. 58

   egivposted 15 years ago

   Thank you!
   
   I also would say "at Christmas time," yet "on Christmas day." I am pretty sure that it is a difference between American and British English because I have found grammar guides on the internet that say both (individually, not either/or) are correct.

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   1. 0

      Justine76posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Im American and I say it that way too. I used to get into trouble at school, they would insist I was saying it wrong. Stuff like colour instead of color would be marked as wrong as well.

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7. 68

   Pearldiverposted 15 years ago

   I am from New Zealand and this is a very good question.
   
   When referring to the Weekend.... we use 'On'
   When referring to Noon...... we use 'At'
   Paraglider is correct with the Christmas variations.

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8. 0

   ralwusposted 15 years ago

   Well you people drive on the wrong side too. LOL

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9. 66

   prettydarkhorseposted 15 years ago

   and lift is elevator
   
   queue is line,
   
   humour is humor
   
   My English is structured, am a Filipina so when i read books, I am quite confused at times, whether I speak or write correctly..., American or British..

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10. 91

    rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

    really? yes, I'm American and use the Scott,Foreman handbook for writers. also in the teaching profession. it could be a difference as there are many between English and British.
    
    interesting.

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