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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > need your opinion
need your opinion
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class centre
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need your opinion
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Hi there!
which is correct
We stared AT the distance or INTO the distance ( riding in a crowded train...)
Thanks a lot!
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5 Feb 2009
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kriszcsel
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Personally I favourize INTO, in this case.
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5 Feb 2009
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douglas
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I think:
"We stared into the distance." is correct--that is what I use.
"We stared at the object in the distance."
or
"We stared at the distant object"
would be correct too.
I have a feeling the grammarians are going to tell us both are technically correct, but one just "feels" better and the other is just not used.
Douglas |
5 Feb 2009
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libertybelle
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I agree with Douglas. If you stare at a fixed object - like
I stared at the horizon - then you use at
but distance isn�t a fixed point - it�s a vast area and undefined- like looking into the future.
L
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5 Feb 2009
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alien boy
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There was a discussion in the forum a little while ago about �at� & �to�.
Basically, the description given by Douglas (& extrapolated on by LB) follows the same approach as noted by Swan in �Practical English Usage�. In the case above at denotes a �destination� or specific object while into denotes a direction.
So if you�re on a crowded train & you are not staring at a specific point in the distance you would be �staring into the distance� - this usually means an unfocused and/or detached stare.
Cheers!
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5 Feb 2009
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