Re: USAGE: Internetese deviancy - the definite article

David Barrow wrote:
> Michael Potter wrote:
(lots of snips, dedicated to Tristan :P )
>> "in the" is what I would use for someone inside the specific
>> school/church/whatever building, while I was outside that building, but
>> near it. "at the" would, conversely, mean that you were inside, but I
>> was at home.
>
>
> If you are at home, how do you know the person is inside and not at the
> entrance
> or in the garden?
>
> David Barrow
>
See, I knew I would get something wrong! I should say that "at the"
would mean that you were located in *or near* whatever. Since the types
of buildings we're talking about usually have a parking lot or something
else outside, "at the" says you are on the premises, but not necessarily
inside.

"He's at school": a student currently in class
"He's at the school": anybody (student or otherwise) that is on school
grounds at that time

Of course, when I say "at the", I expect the person I'm talking about to
actually be _at the school_ (or wherever).

--
Michael