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#2 (permalink) Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:11 am Prepositions |
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Hi,
You might like to look at some material I've written for the site on Prepositions.
Hope this will be useful
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13887 Location: UK
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#3 (permalink) Tue Jan 31, 2012 8:28 am English prepositions |
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Hello,
According to the usage note of http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/pleased+, "pleased at" is also correct, that is to say the option (c) of this test. Therefore, could you please explain the difference between "pleased at' and "pleased with", which is the only correct answer of this test? Thank you.
Best wishes, Bhikkhu1991a. |
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Bhikkhu1991a I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Posts: 422
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#4 (permalink) Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:30 am English prepositions |
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Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording | 10 Listened |
Hi,
Use of prepositions is a difficult task. 'At' in that example is more remote than 'with'. 'Pleased at' often refers to an action such as: Pleased at what happened/at the outcome. 'Pleased with' suggests a more personal connection. In other words 'Pleased with the service' indicates that we were happy about the service we received.
Alan _________________ English as a Foreign Language You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13887 Location: UK
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#5 (permalink) Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:46 am English prepositions |
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Hello Alan,
Thank you for providing an explanation of the difference between "pleased at" and "pleased with". Your explanation has made a big difference in my understanding of them and has resolved my problem.
Thank you.
Best wishes, Bhikkhu1991a. |
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Bhikkhu1991a I'm here quite often ;-)
Joined: 04 Jan 2009 Posts: 422
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#6 (permalink) Fri Feb 03, 2012 13:46 pm English prepositions |
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Alan, 1. Pleased at the outcome of the discussion. 1a. Pleased with the outcome of the discussion. 2. We were pleased at her kindness and invited her in to visit. 2a. We were pleased with her kindness and invited her in to visit. 3. I'm well pleased at his performance. 3a. I'm well pleased with his performance. Please tell us which are correct. |
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Allifathima I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1011
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#7 (permalink) Mon Feb 06, 2012 13:41 pm English prepositions |
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Beesneees, Could you please help me? |
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Allifathima I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1011
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#8 (permalink) Mon Feb 06, 2012 17:49 pm English prepositions |
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1 and 1a are both correct phrases, but are not complete sentences. The rest are fine. _________________ Cheers m' dears! |
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Beeesneees Language Coach

Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 18763 Location: UK, born and bred
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#9 (permalink) Mon Feb 06, 2012 17:54 pm English prepositions |
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Hi,
'Pleased at' usually refers to a verb/action.. 'Pleased with' usually refers to a noun.
Alan _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Passive Voice |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 13887 Location: UK
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