Guest  [More info] I have a question about "to" and "at". I seems to me I have read about the use of preposition in the "phrase "open your book". When the teacher tells the students for the first time to open their books, he will say "Open your books at page 111." Later, when the teacher refers them to page 150, he will say "Turn to page 150." Is this correct? Before the book is "opened", can we say "turn to page 111"? thanks very much. Guest

	+1 Miche  [More info] Hi, guest, It is the verb "turn" that requires a "to": Turn to page 111. But you open a book AT a page. The sentence you suggest (Turn to page 111) is grammatically correct but you can only turn to a page if you have already opend the book AT a certain page. If you haven't opened the book, you cannot turn to another page. That's why "at" is used when the book is still closed. Miche Joined on Fri, Jan 7 2005 Full Member 258 There's always sunshine after rain

	+1 Mister Micawber  [More info] As far as the prepositions themselves are concerned, 'at' is a preposition of location, and 'to' is a preposition of movement. Turning pages is a movement through the books, so that we 'turn from the illustration at (or 'on') page 17 to the explanation at/on page 20'. Contrariwise, 'opening' is not a progress through the book, so we can 'open it at Chapter 3, turn to page 88 for the chapter summary, and then close it at page 90, the end of the chapter'. Mister Micawber Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004 Yokohama Veteran Member 36,916 'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

	+1 khoff  [More info] Mr. M -- Opening does not indicate movement? I would say it indicates movement from the outside of the book to a particular place inside the book. I would naturally say "Please open your books to page 39." If you really want me to switch to "at," you're going to have to make a more convincing case! (As for closing the book, I don't think you close your book at -- or to-- a particular page at all. You can close your books when your reach a certain page, but that's not the same.) I really think "open your book at page 10" sound strange. --khoff khoff Joined on Sun, Mar 6 2005 Senior Member 3,664 Native speaker of American English (but not a grammar expert)

	+1 Mister Micawber  [More info] It may well be in the mind of the beholder, Jackie. 'Opening' is a movement of course, but I see 'opening' as occuring at a place or point, while you may not; 'open /close to' sounds strange to me-- but that is just, as always, my personal opinion. Mister Micawber

	+1 paco2004  [More info] Hello Mic and Khoff I have long said "open your books at page X" rather than "open your books to page X". But curiously a Google survey gives the result as follows: "open your books at page X" : 380 hits "open your books to page X" : 2080 hits paco [PS] I corrected a typo in the original post after reading Khoff's message below. paco2004 Joined on Wed, Nov 17 2004 Senior Member 4,095 In Japan today even dogs are learning how to bow-wow in English.

	+1 khoff  [More info] I have long said "open your books at page X" rather than "open your books at page X". Paco - I'm sure this is a typo, but you seem to have obliterated the distinction you're trying to make. Which form do you prefer? khoff

	+1 paco2004  [More info] Khoff Thank you for pointing out the typo. I corrected it as you see now. I've been used to saying "open your books at page ..." rather than "open your books to page ...". paco paco2004

	+1 CalifJim  [More info] My two cents. I don't use "at" with either of these. "at" sounds distinctly strange to me. Open ... to page xxx. Turn ... to page xxx. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 26,178 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche