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Tue 10 Apr, 2007 03:37 am
when I read an english sentence, I came across two phrases:arrive in and arrive at.What are the differences between them?
John arrived at Victoria Station (in London) at 09.00 =SPECIFIC LOCATION
John arrived in London at 09.00. =GENERAL LOCATION
John arrived at a solution to his problem. =SPECIFIC MENTAL STATE
John arrived in a panic= GENERAL MENTAL STATE
John arrived at 11.00.= SPECIFIC TIME
John arrived in time to change his clothes. =GENERAL TIME
Certain English railway companies have recently started to say over their automated PA systems "This train will shortly be arriving into [name of station]." I wonder if these electronic announcements were devised and recorded in Korea or Taiwan or somewhere? It is horrendously bad English.
Excellent response, Fresco. I can apply the correct usage, but i could not have correctly identified the distinction in such a succinct manner.
syntinen wrote:Certain English railway companies have recently started to say over their automated PA systems "This train will shortly be arriving into [name of station]." I wonder if these electronic announcements were devised and recorded in Korea or Taiwan or somewhere? It is horrendously bad English.
Yes, it's as annoying as the 'station-stop' which I suppose is meant to be clearer and less ambiguous than either station - when it might not stop, or stop - which might be outside a station. Also they say 'This service ...' - why not this train? Even my Korean student lodger doesn't do that!!
or a very simple explanation
when you say AT HOME, you say arrive AT home
when you say I live IN FRANCE, then it is arrive IN France
Fresco your reply is great. I really like the way in which you have explained the difference. I never knew about this difference in such a clearer way.
interesting question-and answers
arrive at + specific place or time
arrive in + general place or time
arrive at the bridge
arrive in New York
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