Hi.
In this lesson you'll learn the difference between two commonly confused prepositions,
So, the thing to remember is that "to" always suggests movement or direction.
"To" with movement, you're going to someone, to someplace, or towards something.
So, "to" is movement or direction, and "at" suggests a location in place or time.
So, "to" something, but "at" somewhere.
"To" something, "at" somewhere.
Okay?
If you use those gestures it may help you to think through it while you're choosing
So, let's look at some examples.
As I said, again, we use "to" for movement or direction towards a person, a place, or a thing.
For example: "I talked to him.",
Okay?
All right, here are some other common verbs.
There are lots and lots of verbs that we can use with this preposition "to", which implies movement.
You go to someplace, you go to school.
Okay?
Or you can also use lots of verbs with "to" plus a person.
You explain something to someone, send a letter to someone, read it to someone, write to someone,
Whether you're speaking, or writing, or walking, or running
- "to" is always movement and direction.
Good.
Whereas "to" is moving, "at" is very steady.
"At" stays in one place, "at" is location, location and place, location and time.
For example: "We arrived"-where?-"at the airport."
We drove to the airport, and then we arrived at the airport.
So: "We arrived at the airport."
So, again, it's a location or a place in time, or a physical place.
Now, here are some other examples of verbs that you can use with "at", but again, there
So what's really important is not to learn the verbs, but to learn how these prepositions
are used and what exactly they mean.
We stayed at the hotel, for example.
I eat at this restaurant.
Okay?
So, "at" plus place or sometimes "at" plus time.
Okay?
Okay?
Arrival, and "to" is always movement or direction.
Now let's do a little quiz to make sure that you really got it.
All right, now let's do the quiz.
Now remember: "to" indicates movement and "at" indicates location or arrival.
"We stayed _______ home." "at home" or "We stayed to home"?
In all of these cases you have to choose between "to" and "at".
Okay?
"I spoke
to".
The direction of your speech is towards Jack.
Next: "She went _______ the bank."
"to the bank" or "at the bank"?
"She went", so "went" is movement.
The verb is talking about movement.
Next: "I bought this keychain _______ the gift shop."
"to the gift shop" or "at the gift shop"?
"at".
"Meet me _______ the coffee shop."
"Meet me to the coffee shop", "at the coffee shop"?
Next: "The movie starts _______ 4:00."
We always use "at" for very specific times.
Next: "We flew _______ Amsterdam."
"I sent a card _______ my Mom."
Yes.
Sending implies movement, so for movement we have to say:
Okay.
"She read a story _______ her son."
When you're reading, the activity is directed towards someone, so:
And the last one: "John studied _______ the library."
Was he in one place or was he moving?
He was in one place, one location.
Okay?
I hope that my little demonstrations helped you to understand the meaning
of "to" as well as "at".
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