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Is there a difference in meaning between “I'll be there for 7pm” and “I'll be there at 7pm”?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar Manara
Planned maintenance scheduled April 23, 2019 at 23:30 UTC (7:30pm US/Eastern)A correct preposition - account closed due/by/at 12th of MayWhat is the difference between “probably” and “possibly”?What's the difference between “requester” and “requestor”?Difference between “proscribe” and “prohibit”What is the difference between “grammar” and “usage”?difference between act and deedIs there any difference between “endure + gerund” and “endure + infinitive”?Is there a difference between the words “divestment” and “divestiture”?What's the subtle difference between competitiveness and competitionDifference between “just a minute” and “just a second”What's the difference between contain and include in English?
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I feel like "for 7pm" is possibly colloquial and perhaps not quite Standard English, but I have heard it a lot. I can't think if there's any difference in meaning between "I'll be there for 7" and "I'll be there at 7". Is there?
Also, where did this form come from? Is it dialectal or colloquial?
I couldn't find a related question on SE or Google, this question is about the difference between "at" and "by".
differences prepositions time
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
add a comment |
I feel like "for 7pm" is possibly colloquial and perhaps not quite Standard English, but I have heard it a lot. I can't think if there's any difference in meaning between "I'll be there for 7" and "I'll be there at 7". Is there?
Also, where did this form come from? Is it dialectal or colloquial?
I couldn't find a related question on SE or Google, this question is about the difference between "at" and "by".
differences prepositions time
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57
add a comment |
I feel like "for 7pm" is possibly colloquial and perhaps not quite Standard English, but I have heard it a lot. I can't think if there's any difference in meaning between "I'll be there for 7" and "I'll be there at 7". Is there?
Also, where did this form come from? Is it dialectal or colloquial?
I couldn't find a related question on SE or Google, this question is about the difference between "at" and "by".
differences prepositions time
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
I feel like "for 7pm" is possibly colloquial and perhaps not quite Standard English, but I have heard it a lot. I can't think if there's any difference in meaning between "I'll be there for 7" and "I'll be there at 7". Is there?
Also, where did this form come from? Is it dialectal or colloquial?
I couldn't find a related question on SE or Google, this question is about the difference between "at" and "by".
differences prepositions time
differences prepositions time
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
asked Mar 25 at 19:18
LouLou
97121237
97121237
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57
add a comment |
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
'For' means "in good time for". In Britain, formal invitations for dinner used to say "7 for 7.30", meaning that you can arrive from 7 PM onwards, but should definitely arrive before 7.30.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
add a comment |
I think its really more that for is used to describe an event in most cases, such as I'll be there for Christmas, while at is used for a time.
I guess you could use for, for a time, but it sounds odd.
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
add a comment |
Possibly, you can use 'for 7' if 7pm is the time of a thing (dinner, event). By using 'for 7' you would indicate that you will be there when the thing starts/happens. Although, possibly, you will be (slightly, or a lot) earlier, because you are making sure, are agreeing, that you will be there at 7pm.
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
'For' means "in good time for". In Britain, formal invitations for dinner used to say "7 for 7.30", meaning that you can arrive from 7 PM onwards, but should definitely arrive before 7.30.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
add a comment |
'For' means "in good time for". In Britain, formal invitations for dinner used to say "7 for 7.30", meaning that you can arrive from 7 PM onwards, but should definitely arrive before 7.30.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
add a comment |
'For' means "in good time for". In Britain, formal invitations for dinner used to say "7 for 7.30", meaning that you can arrive from 7 PM onwards, but should definitely arrive before 7.30.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
'For' means "in good time for". In Britain, formal invitations for dinner used to say "7 for 7.30", meaning that you can arrive from 7 PM onwards, but should definitely arrive before 7.30.
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
answered Mar 25 at 19:57
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,99511120
6,99511120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
add a comment |
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 19:58
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
@Lou Which part haven't you encountered, "I'll be there for 7:00" or "Be there at 7:00 for 7:30"? I see the latter quite often in the context of performance bookings, it means "Be there for set up and sound checks at 7:00 or just after, the performance starts at 7:30"
– BoldBen
Mar 25 at 22:05
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
Mar 25 at 22:41
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
I've seen it used for all kinds of social events, not just formal ones. The earlier time is when guests can start to arrive, find a drink and/or a seat, and the later time is when the activity itself is scheduled to start.
– Kate Bunting
Mar 26 at 10:33
add a comment |
I think its really more that for is used to describe an event in most cases, such as I'll be there for Christmas, while at is used for a time.
I guess you could use for, for a time, but it sounds odd.
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
add a comment |
I think its really more that for is used to describe an event in most cases, such as I'll be there for Christmas, while at is used for a time.
I guess you could use for, for a time, but it sounds odd.
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
add a comment |
I think its really more that for is used to describe an event in most cases, such as I'll be there for Christmas, while at is used for a time.
I guess you could use for, for a time, but it sounds odd.
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
I think its really more that for is used to describe an event in most cases, such as I'll be there for Christmas, while at is used for a time.
I guess you could use for, for a time, but it sounds odd.
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
answered Mar 25 at 19:24
user197001user197001
172
172
add a comment |
add a comment |
Possibly, you can use 'for 7' if 7pm is the time of a thing (dinner, event). By using 'for 7' you would indicate that you will be there when the thing starts/happens. Although, possibly, you will be (slightly, or a lot) earlier, because you are making sure, are agreeing, that you will be there at 7pm.
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
add a comment |
Possibly, you can use 'for 7' if 7pm is the time of a thing (dinner, event). By using 'for 7' you would indicate that you will be there when the thing starts/happens. Although, possibly, you will be (slightly, or a lot) earlier, because you are making sure, are agreeing, that you will be there at 7pm.
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
add a comment |
Possibly, you can use 'for 7' if 7pm is the time of a thing (dinner, event). By using 'for 7' you would indicate that you will be there when the thing starts/happens. Although, possibly, you will be (slightly, or a lot) earlier, because you are making sure, are agreeing, that you will be there at 7pm.
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
Possibly, you can use 'for 7' if 7pm is the time of a thing (dinner, event). By using 'for 7' you would indicate that you will be there when the thing starts/happens. Although, possibly, you will be (slightly, or a lot) earlier, because you are making sure, are agreeing, that you will be there at 7pm.
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
answered Mar 25 at 19:35
We oath to creationWe oath to creation
2,06122026
2,06122026
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It is formal British English.
– Hugh
Mar 25 at 20:00
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
Mar 25 at 20:01
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
Mar 26 at 1:57