ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: stood IN the window

Avangi — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:27:09 GMT

New2grammar
I pictured the person directly in front of the window, in full view from anyone who's outside.

Thanks, New2

As an aside, I think we could say "in full view from the street" - I'm not actually sure about this; but we would definitely say, "in full view of anyone outside."

- A.

Edit. I'm quite sure we could say, "Today the air was so clear that the ocean was in full view from my house on the ridge, forty miles inland." (Dang, does that mean I could see the entire ocean?)

Re: stood IN the window

CalifJim — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:07:10 GMT

New2grammar
I pictured the person directly in front of the window, in full view from anyone who's outside.

It sounds like an open-and-shut case of standing in the window to me!

Re: stood IN the window

New2grammar — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:53:45 GMT

Avangi
New2, Did you picture the person standing directly in front of the window, or somewhat off to the side?

I pictured the person directly in front of the window, in full view from anyone who's outside.

Re: stood IN the window

CalifJim — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:47:53 GMT

Avangi
Keep the shades drawn.

LOL!

Re: stood IN the window

Avangi — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:42:20 GMT

CalifJim
What if the window is on the ground floor?

Keep the shades drawn.

I'm not sure if Anon. is a native speaker. All the Anon's seem to look alike. I'd like to know, as he seemed quite firm about his reply.

- A.

Re: stood IN the window

CalifJim — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:35:11 GMT

Avangi
why Anon. prefers "by the window."

Is Anon. a native speaker?

Re: stood IN the window

Avangi — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:32:29 GMT

New2grammar
If you stand at the window where someone outside your house can see you

New2, Did you picture the person standing directly in front of the window, or somewhat off to the side?

I'm trying to understand why Anon. prefers "by the window."

- A.

Re: stood IN the window

Philip — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:02:27 GMT

New2grammar
If you stand at the window where someone outside your house can see you, do you say "I stood in the window"?
Thanks

Although it may not be as logical as 'at' or 'by' the window, 'in' the window sounds perfectly natural to my ear. [Remember, languages are often not logical, especially when it comes to prepositions.]

Re: stood IN the window

CalifJim — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:54:16 GMT

Avangi
If it's a really big window, it could mean standing in the window, ready to jump into the firemen's safety net.

I don't think the size of the window makes much difference, really, do you? Jump into a net? What if the window is on the ground floor?

Re: stood IN the window

Avangi — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 01:10:18 GMT

It is, however, commonly used in the way you suggest. If it's a really big window, it could mean standing in the window, ready to jump into the firemen's safety net.

You may ignore these: Google -

"standing in the window" 449,000
"standing by the window" 306,000
"standing at the window" 70,200

- A.

Re: stood IN the window

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:20:25 GMT

No, it is not correct. You need to say; I stood by the window.

Re: stood IN the window

RayH — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:41:21 GMT

New2grammar
If you stand at the window where someone outside your house can see you, do you say "I stood in the window"?
Thanks

You can.

stood IN the window

New2grammar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:11:58 GMT

If you stand at the window where someone outside your house can see you, do you say "I stood in the window"?
Thanks