Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
smoothly; continuously; inconspicuously
systematically
behind
though
seamlessly
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

It opens or It's open



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
How can I prepare for my lexicology exam? | Meaning of proprietorship
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
It opens or It's open #1 (permalink) Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:54 am   It opens or It's open
 

Hi everybody :D

Is there any difference between:

The company opens from 9:00 to 5:00. and
The company is open from 9:00 to 5:00.


hope to get your help
Jupiter
Jupiter
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 215
Location: Cambodia

It opens or It's open #2 (permalink) Sun Jan 15, 2006 15:07 pm   It opens or It's open
 

jupiter wrote:
Is there any difference between:

The company opens from 9:00 to 5:00. and
The company is open from 9:00 to 5:00.


Yes, Jupiter, there's a big difference. In the first sentence, "opens" is a verb, and it describes a perfective action (one that has a clear finish). In the second sentence, "open" is an adjective and decribes a state. The first sentence is wrong, and the second sentence is right.

Think of it this way: How long does it take to open a company? Usually, as soon as you've unlocked the door, the company has opened. It's a quick action. If you say, "The company opens at 9:00," then it means that every day at 9:00 someone opens the door and people can come in. If you say, "The company opens from 9:00 to 5:00," that means there is probably something wrong with the door, and every day it takes eight hours to unlock it and let people in. It could also mean that they have some kind of opening ceremony that lasts for eight hours before they start business. Both of these are absurd ideas, so if you want to use "open" as a verb, you'd have to say, "The company opens at 9:00 and closes at 5:00."

In the second sentence, the adjective "open" describes a state. It means that someone opens the company at 9:00 and people can go in and out until 5:00. The second sentence is a good one.
Guest






How do you use the English Prepositions correctly?English grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Here is how you can learn English the fun way! Click to subscribe to free email English course
Thanks #3 (permalink) Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:26 am   Thanks
 

Thanks so much for your help. It's very clear for me. First, I supposed they are the same but know I can see the big problem.

Thanks again
jupiter
Jupiter
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 15 Dec 2005
Posts: 215
Location: Cambodia

Display posts from previous:   
How can I prepare for my lexicology exam? | Meaning of proprietorship
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
How can I learn English grammar?'in' or 'on' the forum?Recorder is a musical instrument?Pushing an elephant up the stairs - idiom?Check my grammar, please...What are 'small clauses'?Usage of Ever moreWhat does "repurposed" mean?Idiom: there's the Rub?British/American spelling (-ize/-ise)?Cabbage patchLittle vs. smallIs/was/will be?

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail