ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Message board > knock on / at the door
knock on / at the door
Olindalima ( F )
|
knock on / at the door
|
Native teachers, from around all the English speaking countries, need your help, please. Which one is correct: knock on the door or Knock at the door? Are they both ok? Do they both exist with slightly different meanings? Would appreciate your answers and help. Thanks Linda |
9 Oct 2017
|
|
|
Pedro14
|
Hi there, As far as I know, both are correct. Maybe knock on is more common but I have also heard and read knock at. I �m not a native speaker, though. Let �s wait for the experts � opinion. Have a nice day! |
10 Oct 2017
|
|
ldeloresmoore
|
Maybe this will help: My husband and I are sitting in the living room. watching tv. Suddenly, we hear a knock. And I say, "Oh! There �s a knock at the door!". --- AT My husband and I go to visit a friend. When we arrive, I say, "Will you knock on the door?" -- ON Does that help? If I say "at", I �m focused on the sound, and the location where I heard that sound. If I say "on", I �m focused on the action of knocking. |
10 Oct 2017
|
|
Olindalima ( F )
|
Thank you so much for your help, Pedro14 and Ideloresmoore, it certainly helped a lot. Thanks. |
10 Oct 2017
|
|
yanogator
|
Delores has it right, but with the wrong analysis. "at" goes with the noun (a knock), while "on" goes with the verb (to knock). Bruce |
10 Oct 2017
|
|
Olindalima ( F )
|
Thanks Bruce, I think it �s pretty clear now. Thanks and have a nice day. |
10 Oct 2017
|
|
|