Hmm... "On the beach" merely indicates location. "At the beach" also says something about what you are doing there--you're there because you want to be there, for recreation and/or fun. Also, duration is involved. If my cross-country route takes me along the beach for 100 yards, we wouldn't say I was at the beach today. If I lay for hours sunbathing and/or ogling the talent, I was at the beach. (Philosophical Investigations, 265)
You might be AT the seaside, but surely you're ON the beach, but shirley?
ReplyDeleteHilariously, I vacillated about at/on the beach for hours. x
DeleteHmm... "On the beach" merely indicates location. "At the beach" also says something about what you are doing there--you're there because you want to be there, for recreation and/or fun. Also, duration is involved. If my cross-country route takes me along the beach for 100 yards, we wouldn't say I was at the beach today. If I lay for hours sunbathing and/or ogling the talent, I was at the beach.
ReplyDelete(Philosophical Investigations, 265)
But possibly "at the beach" is more American...