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submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by ParabolicMotion@lemmy.world to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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[-] skygirl@lemmy.world 24 points 2 months ago

I had to explain to a friend recently why

"I'm at Steve's house"

Was fine but

"I'm in Steve's house"

Was weird. Like, get out of there before you get arrested.

[-] tunetardis@lemmy.ca 5 points 2 months ago

I'm at Steve's house.

I'm in Steve's backyard.

I'm at Steve's backyard barbecue.

Yeah, English is pretty f'd up.

[-] fossphi@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

Nah, this kinda does make sense. You wouldn't wanna be inside Steve's barbecue, would you?

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

That reminds me that my sixth grade teacher was adamant that 'I am going over Steve's house" meant that one was visiting the house, not flying over it.

[-] magikmw@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

I like learning french because it shows me how weird the connections to english are.

"Chez Steve" means "At Steve's [place]". This one is more verbose in english.

But you can say "chez moi" for "at home". And no need to specify which home.

[-] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago
[-] magikmw@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

That's exactly my point.

[-] Sentau@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 2 months ago

I would sure appreciate that explanation. Like I broadly get that 'at' implies you are present with the person's knowledge while 'in' implies you are there without their knowledge but I would like an explanation of why the meanings are implied as such

this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2024
384 points (91.0% liked)

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