Why for Christmas and not in Christmas?

[Tagub]

well, that's my mistake..using on, instead of "for"...thanks!

[Connecticut09]

Hi everybody. First, I would like to thank the founders of this website that I found very helpful to enhance my learning. I have a a real problem in using "to" or "for" at many times. I would like please to give me a clear explication, and some clues and hints to distinguish between these two propositions. thank you.

[Alan]

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Hi,

That's a pretty big question! Broadly 'to' has a strong idea of direction and 'for' has the sense of purpose/benefit. But that's a very broad comment. Look at these: I'm going to France for my holiday. I'm going to a warm country for my health.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple

[Connecticut09]

Thank you Mr. Alan for your explication.

[Watie]

thank you Mr. Alan..

I know now that "for" is used if we have purpose...as giving present for christmas day..

[Pasban110]

Funny.
Alan, Torsten, You guys are wonderful. I'm going to get more confident about English. It's unbelievable.

I had some problem with choosing for/on because of 'on the day of the dead.' I think it's gone now.

[Alan]

Hi,

Can you give me the full sentence so that I can look at it.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Progressive Forms

[Pasban110]

Hi Alan.
Here is the complete sentence: "I arrive in Guatemala on The Day of the Dead, November 1st." It quoted it from AJ Hoge's documents. He's an English teacher. However, As you mentioned before, for an example like Christmas day, or I think for every specific day, which is collocated with /day/ we can use preposition /on/. If that so, is it correct to say 'I'll see you on the graduate ceremony'. What do you think about at/in?

Thank you for your thoughts.

-Salivan

[Pasban110]

Oh, Alan, is it necessary to follow the grammar rules, and put the punctuation marks in their right places? I am tried of using punctuation marks correctly. So I think I've got a little bit obsessive about then. Sometimes, because of fear of not following those rules, I feel uncomfortable to write and speak any English. I'm really tired of those rules.

Do you have any suggestion?

-Salivan.

[Alan]

Hi,

I would use 'at' when referring in your sentence about the graduate ceremony. As for punctuation, I have to admit it has never been my favourite sport. There are obvious ones like the question mark and the full stop, which are self-explanatory. The point about the others is that they indicate different types of pauses to help the reader get the sense of what you are writing. One way of tackling the problem if you're not sure, is to read aloud what you have written and check where the pauses are as you read. It might be worth a try but remember that you should be in charge of punctuation and you shouldn't let it dictate to you!

Good luck,

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Passive Voice

[Ducanh.hut]

I like CR7, now CR9, he is one of the best football player also messi- the legend...hope everyone in here enjoy World Cup, what team do you like, Mr Ralf?

[Anestia]

Thank you Mr. Alan for your explanation. I answered "on" and when I saw the correct answer is "for", I was a bit confused. But, I get your point here. Thanks.

[Solomon1949]

[Solomon1949]

how can i use preposition

[Solomon1949]

how can i use preposition