Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
commotion; flurry; excitement
ado
pedicure
travel
guilt
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Prepositions use: At or Behind?



 
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
Having difficulty understanding "the Crucible" | Idiom: Go down like ninepins
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
Prepositions use: At or Behind? #1 (permalink) Sun Jun 11, 2006 13:47 pm   Prepositions use: At or Behind?
 

Hello

Could you please tell me about the correct preposition?

1- I came to your office twice but you were not----------
your desk. ( behind-at )

I have seen both prepositions being used with the word desk.

Tom
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2103

Prepositions use: At or Behind? #2 (permalink) Sun Jun 11, 2006 14:19 pm   Prepositions use: At or Behind?
 

Hi Tom

The word "at" is definitely the best for your example. I'd say "behind" is much less often used than "at".

If you used the word "behind", it would usually be in order to emphasize a person's location in relation to his desk from the point of view of someone else (who is probably in front of the desk).

I'd tend to use the word "behind" more often when talking about, for example, something like a "reception desk".

Amy
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA

In this story you'll learn how to use the English articlesEnglish 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
Display posts from previous:   
Having difficulty understanding "the Crucible" | Idiom: Go down like ninepins
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Is DUNK a common word?Meaning of 'loads of time' and 'lots of time'Meaning of "shingle"Relative clause (omission of 'that')Waiter and actor (feminine nouns and masculine nouns)Communist and CommunisticTo or At: He looked to/at meQuote: The tree on the mountain...Expression: "it's racist"Missed or lost? disinterested or uninterested?...He's good fun: Is GOOD here the adverb?At weekends vs. At the weekendThis study without further endangering chimp populations

 
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