Is there a difference in meaning between “I'll be there for 7pm” and “I'll be there at 7pm”?
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 yesterday
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 yesterday
LouLou
97121237
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago
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 yesterday
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 yesterday
LouLou
97121237
asked yesterday
LouLou
97121237
asked yesterday
LouLou
97121237
asked yesterday
LouLou
97121237
asked yesterday
LouLou
97121237
97121237
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago
add a comment |
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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'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 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
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 yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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'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 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
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 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
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 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
'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 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
answered 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
answered 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
answered 23 hours ago
Michael HarveyMichael Harvey
6,49911120
6,49911120
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
add a comment |
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
Compare ell.stackexchange.com/questions/114695/…,
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
That's really interesting, I'm British and I'd never heard of this before!
– Lou
23 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
@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
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
If a formal British upper-class dinner invitation says "7 for 7.30", that half-hour period is for "cocktails".
– Michael Harvey
21 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
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
9 hours ago
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 yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
user197001user197001
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered yesterday
user197001user197001
111
answered yesterday
user197001user197001
111
111
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
user197001 is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
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 yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
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 yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
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 yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
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 yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
answered yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
answered yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
answered yesterday
Keep these mindKeep these mind
1,74311825
1,74311825
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It is formal British English.
– Hugh
23 hours ago
That's interesting - I'm British and never registered it had a formal meaning!
– Lou
23 hours ago
This is a duplicate of english.stackexchange.com/q/489274/17956 which was migrated to ELL
– Jim
17 hours ago