Why for Christmas and not in Christmas?

[sohu]

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", question 10

That's what I would like ......... Christmas.

(a) for
(b) at
(c) in
(d) on

Test No. incompl/elem-1 "Speaking already", answer 10

That's what I would like for Christmas.

Correct answer: (a) for

Your answer was: incorrect
That's what I would like in Christmas.
_________________________

Why for Christmas and not in Christmas?

sohu

[Torsten]

Hi,

As you know, Christmas is a holiday, an event. You choose presents for this holiday. You prepare for this event.
Then, you can say Please, visit us at Christmas, we have a lot of surprises for you.
_________________
Test Of English for International Communication
TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary

[Hemu]

Hi,

In the above question using for is ok but why it couldn't be on ?[/quote]

[Alan]

Hi Hemu,

In this sentence you need to use for. You can use ON but then you would have to say On Christmas Day.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story A day in the life of a student teacher

[luke]

[Alan]

Hi luke,

In would be used for periods of time as: in Spring/in Winter/in the holidays.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story 'the' vs. 'a/an'

[Hothu]

Hello Mr. Alan and Mr. Torsten,
Why don't we use "at" in this sentence?
I think "That's what I'd like (maybe to see) at Christmas." is also OK.

[Alan]

Hi,

'At Christmas' is perfectly acceptable as an expression referring to the idea of 'at the time of Christmas' but in this sentence it is understood that the speaker is referring to a present to be given for a Christmas present.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Weather

[Hothu]

Hello Mr. Alan,
I quite understand this sentence when using "for", but I want to give a suggestion of a different meaning of the sentence.
As you wrote, we can't use "at" there? And my suggestion is wrong, isn't it?

[Ralf]

Hi hothu,

Here are a few examples that may help:

'What will you do at Christmas this year' (the time around Christmas/Christmas time).

'What will you do on Christmas day' (25 December).

'I hope there will be snow for Christmas' (I only added this to spread more confusion )
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Ralf]

PS - Alan and Torsten are first names, and none of them is a 'sir'
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher

[Tmh]

I know a man who is called 'sir'. He is Sir Alex Ferguson. I like him and his football team, Manchester United. I am a fan of this football team. But I hate Cris 7. I wish he would disappear from the team as soon as possible.

[Hothu]

Hi TMH,
What do you want to say here? I don't expect your appearance with some meaningless sentences like that. Sorry!

[Tmh]

[Ralf]

Hi guys,

Maybe THM thought that 'sir' was a name, and maybe he was only joking. Just to make sure - 'sir' is a title that is conferred by the queen. It is also used in formal letters to address someone you don't know.

Be it as it may, I have a lot of respect for Alex Ferguson, but C. Ronaldo and Man U in general give me the creeps!
_________________
Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL Preparation & TOEFL Vocabulary
Learn more: How to Become an English Teacher