Over the weekend, on the weekend, at the weekend

Question
Many learners have asked about the difference between these three phrases: over the
weekend, on the weekend, and at the weekend.
Answer
Over the weekend
Over the weekend means the same thing as during the weekend. It is used to talk
about something that happened (or will happen) between Friday evening and Sunday
evening.
Below are some examples showing how native English speakers typically use over
the weekend. As you can see, the thing that happens during the weekend can be
something quick, like a phone call, or something that lasts most of the weekend, like a
trip to Miami.
1. We started packing up our apartment over the weekend.
2. I promise I'll call you over the weekend.
3. We flew down to Miami over the weekend.
On the weekend
The meaning of on the weekend is similar to the meaning of over the
weekend, although it is not used quite as often. The two expressions are usually
interchangeable and choosing one or the other is mostly a matter of personal
preference. In all of the examples below with on the weekend, over the weekend would
also be correct.
1. The excitement started to build on the weekend.
2. Im going to set aside an hour on the weekend to do laundry.
3. Would you wear it to go jogging on the weekend?
On the weekends (plural)
One clear difference between over the weekend and on the weekend is that only on is
used with the plural: weekends. For example, these are all good sentences in English:
They go sailing on (the) weekends.
I usually leave early on (the) weekends.
On (the) weekends, I like to watch football.

While these sentences would sound very odd to a native speaker:

*They go sailing over (the) weekends.

*I usually leave early over (the) weekends.

*Over (the) weekends, I like to watch football.

At the weekend
At the weekend is a British English expression, which is used the same way as on the
weekend in American English. Speakers of American English may understand this
expression, but they do not use it.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/qa/Over-the-weekend-on-the-weekend-atthe-weekend

UNTIL

Until is a preposition and a conjunction. Until is often shortened to till or til.

Till and til are more informal and we dont usually use them in formal writing.
Until as a preposition
Until as a preposition means up to (the time that):
We played chess until midnight. (up to midnight)
The film didnt end till eleven oclock.

We use from with until or till to talk about when something begins and when it ends:

I worked out at the gym from 6 pm till 7.30 pm.

The road outside our house will be closed from 6 am until 6 pm tomorrow.

We use by, not until, to talk about something that will happen before a particular time
or deadline:
The movie will be finished by 9 pm.
Not: The movie will be finished until/till 9 pm.

We dont use until or till to talk about quantity or numbers. We use up to:
The taxi can take up to five people.
Not: The taxi can take until five people.

We dont use until or till to talk about distance. We use as far as:
Larry drove me as far as the shop and I walked the rest of the way home.
Not: Larry drove me until the shop

Until as a conjunction
We use until as a subordinating conjunction to connect an action or an event to a point
in time:
Lets wait here till the rain stops. (till + subordinate clause)

Warning:
We dont normally put the until-clause before the main clause:
No one left the room until the talk ended.
Not: Until the talk ended no one left

We use present verb forms to refer to the future after until:

I cant wait until the summer holidays begin.
Not: until the summer holidays will begin.

We also use the present perfect after until to refer to actions or events that will
continue up to a point in the future:
Well sit here till Donna has finished.
Not: until Donna will have finished.
We use the past simple and past perfect to talk about events in the past:
He was the headteacher until he retired in 1968.
We couldnt put down the new floor till the plumber had finished.
Warning:
We cant use until or till to mean in advance of. In this case we use before:
Please return your registration form before you leave the room.
Not: Please return your registration form until you leave the room.

Until: typical errors

We dont use until to talk about things that will happen before a particular time
or deadline; we use by:
All applications must be received by Friday, 26 June 2009.
Not: until Friday, 26 June 2009.

We dont use until or till to talk about quantity; we use up to:

The theatre can hold up to two hundred people.

Not: The theatre can hold until two hundred people.

We dont use until or till to talk about distance; we use as far as:
We had to drive as far as Liverpool for the last hockey match that I played.
Not: We had to drive until Liverpool

Take care to spell until with only one l at the end: not untill.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/until

But / But still

State a contrast vs. contrary reasoning

Contrast vs. Contrary Reasoning

CONTRAST

But, however, while, whereas express a contrast between the previous clause and the one that follows.
(Contrastmeans that the central idea of one clause is opposite to the idea in the second clause.)

MAIN CLAUSE

CONTRAST

He asked for another cup of coffee,

but there was no more.

He asks for some. There is no more.

He asked for another cup of coffee.

But there was no more.

He asked for another cup of coffee.

However, there was no more.

He asked for another cup of coffee;

(semi-colon)

however, there was no more.

However is more commonly used in writing.

CONTRARY LOGIC

But still, yet, though, although, even though express a contrary logic between the previous clause and the one that
followsillogical cause-effect. (Contrary means that the idea in one clause is opposite in expectation, opinion, or
reasoning to the idea in the other clause.)

MAIN CLAUSE

CONTRARY LOGIC

There was no more coffee,

but still he asked for another cup. (He knows there is no

more coffee and asks for more. Why?)

There was no more coffee,

yet he asked for another cup.

Though there was no more coffee,

he asked for another cup.

He asked for another cup of coffee

though there was no more.

contrary (Adj) opposite in nature, character or reasoning; illogical

contrast (N) a difference, an unlikeness in comparison with something else

in opposition the action of opposing, resisting, or combating

Beginning a sentence with "and", "so" or "but"

Also see But / though for implied meanings .

Contrast Connectives
While, Whereas, But

While, Whereas, But

INITIAL CONTRAST CLAUSE

A while or whereas clause (not but) may be placed before the main clause to emphasize the content or to
place heavier (longer) content toward the end of the sentence. A comma separates the clauses.

CONTRAST CLAUSE

While I like sugar in my coffee,

STATEMENT CLAUSE

Edward likes black coffee.

Whereas I like sugar in my coffee,

Edward likes black coffee.

*But I like sugar in my coffee,

Edward likes black coffee.

FINAL CONTRAST CLAUSE

A while, whereas, or but clause that is placed after the main clause is separated by a comma.

STATEMENT CLAUSE

CONTRAST CLAUSE

I like sugar in my coffee,

while Edward likes black coffee.

I like sugar in my coffee,

whereas Edward likes black coffee.

I like sugar in my coffee,

but Edward likes black coffee.

black coffee (expression) coffee without sugar or milk

See FANBOYS coordinators for "fronting" and "reversibility"

Contrast Connectives
In contrast vs. In contrast to

In contrast, In contrast to, However

SECOND SENTENCE

In contrast and however are connectives that are placed before a clause that expresses a contrasting idea. A
comma separates the clauses. See Linking Adverbs.

CLAUSE

CONNECTOR + CLAUSE

I like sugar in my coffee.

In contrast, Edward likes black coffee.

Edward likes black coffee.

In contrast, I like sugar in my coffee.

I like sugar in my coffee.

However, Edward likes black coffee.

Edward likes black coffee.

However, I like sugar in my coffee.

FINAL CLAUSE

In contrast to is a "double preposition" [P [PP] that is complemented by a noun phrase or a gerund clause that
expresses an opposite idea. No comma is used before a prepositional phrase.

CLAUSE

CONNECTOR + CLAUSE

I like sugar in my coffee

in contrast to Edward who likes black coffee.

(subjects)

I like sugar in my coffee

in contrast to honey in my coffee.

(objects)

I like sugar in my coffee

in contrast to my tea.

(prep phrase objects)

I like drinking my tea slowly

in contrast to gulping it down.

(gerunds)

In contrast to is a prepositional phrase (PP) that is complemented by a noun phrase or gerund clause.

in contrast to (and not / but not) is used between two similar elements (i.e., nouns, gerunds, prep. phrases)
See Prep Complements.

Paired Contrast Connectives

On the one hand / On the other hand

On the one hand, On the other hand

INITIAL CLAUSE PART ONE

We use the prepositional phrase (PP) on the one hand to introduce a sentence with an idea to which we will later
add a contrast. (This expression is paired with "the other hand".)

INTRODUCTORY PP

CLAUSE

On the one hand,

I like milk and sugar in my coffee.

On the one hand,

Edward likes black coffee.

INITIAL CLAUSE PART TWO

The prepositional phrase (PP) on the other hand begins the second sentence with the contrasting idea. A comma
separates the phrase from the rest of the clause.

CONTRAST PP

CLAUSE

On the other hand,

Edward likes black coffee.

On the other hand,

I like milk and sugar in my coffee.

Sometimes, a speaker will use one half of this expression, and expect the listener to understand the implication of the
second part. "On the one hand, we have a lot of work to do." Possible implication: "On the other hand, no one is
doing it"

Also see Linking Adverbs and Comparisons.

Contrary Logic vs. Concession

But still, Yet, But anyway

Relate contrary logic vs. Admit an irregularity

CONTRARY LOGIC

But still, yet, and butanyway express that the idea in one clause is opposite in expectation, opinion, or action to
that in the second clause . But still, yet, and butanyway are categorized as linking adverbs. A comma separates
the "contrary" clause from the one before it.

FACT / SITUATION

CONTRARY ACTION

He's vegetarian,

but still he has to cook meat for other people. (He's

a chef.)

I tell him the truth,

yet he doesn't believe me.

She is only thirteen,

but she won three gold medals anyway. (an

unexpected achievement)

CONCESSIONADMIT AN IRREGULARITY

Butstill, yet, or butanyway are followed by a clause which expresses concession. (We admit to something that
does not logically fit with the previous statement.) We express that we are giving in on a (one) point in our
argument. Butstill, yet, and butanyway are linking adverbs.

OPINION / BELIEF

CONCESSION

He's vegetarian,

but still he eats eggs occasionally.

I mostly tell the truth,

yet sometimes I tell a white lie.

She is thirteen years old,

but she writes to Santa Claus anyway. (an action of a

younger person)

give way (verbal phrase) yield, admit, concede, give in

concession (N) admit that something does not logically fit with the previous statement.

illogical (Adj) not logical; not following expected reasoning

See Grammar Notes for terminology.

Connector Placement
Despite vs. Even so

Despite, Even so
CONNECTOR PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE

Despite, regardless and in spite of. Despite and regardless are prepositions which take a noun phrase or
gerund clause as the complement. In spite of is a "double preposition" [P [PP]

ASSERTION / ARGUMENT

CONTRARY LOGIC

Despite being vegetarian,

he eats fish.

Regardless of her broken toe,

she went dancing.

In spite of saying they were too busy to go,

they went to the dance.

CONNECTORLINKING ADVERB

Even so and nevertheless are linking adverbs. A comma sets the connective off from the clause.

ASSERTION / ARGUMENT

CONTRARY LOGIC

He's vegetarian.

Even so, he eats fish.

She broke her toe.

Nevertheless, she went back on stage and danced.

They said they were too busy to go.

Nonetheless, they went.

assertion (N) a statement that something is true

contrary logic The idea in the following phrase is opposite in expectation, opinion, or action to the idea in the other
clause.

nevertheless 12501300; Middle English; replacing natheles, notheles natheless

Also see: Because/Though | Because of / In spite of

Clause Order
Coordinators vs. Subordinators

Punctuationsubordinators
SECOND CLAUSE

Though, although, even though, despite, etc. are "heads" of prepositional phrases. They function as
subordinators. The subordinated structure may be placed first or second without affecting the meaning. No comma is
used.

MAIN CLAUSE

ADJUNCT PREP PHRASE

I've studied English for a long time

though I don't speak it very well. (concession)

I've studied English for a long time

despite disliking it. (contrary ideas)

INTIAL CLAUSE

The adjunct prepositional phrase withthough, although, even though, despite may also be "fronted", placed
before the main clause. A comma separates the clauses.

ADJUNCT PREP PHRASE

MAIN CLAUSE

Though I don't speak it very well,

I've studied English for a long time

Despite disliking it,

I've studied English for a long time.

PunctuationCoordinators
SECOND CLAUSE

But, but still, yet share properties of both coordinators and subordinators. As a coordinator but (contrast), the
clauses are reversible before and after but. As subordinator but still, yet, but anyway (concession or contrary ideas)
the clauses are not.

MAIN CLAUSE [COMMA]

COORDINATED CLAUSE

I've studied English for a long time,

but I have studied French for a short time.(contrast)

I have studied French a short time,

but I've studied English for a long time.

(A

coordinator is reversible.)

MAIN CLAUSE [COMMA]

SUBORDINATED CLAUSE

I've studied English for a long time,

but still I don't speak it very well. (concession)

*I don't speak it very well,

but still I've studied English for a long time.

(A subordinator is not reversible.)

INTIAL CLAUSE

But, but still, yet cannot be "fronted", placed before the other clause in initial position.

COORDINATED CLAUSE

*But I have studied French a short time,

SUBORDINATED CLAUSE

*But still I don't speak it very well,

MAIN CLAUSE

I've studied English for a long time.

MAIN CLAUSE [COMMA]

I've studied English for a long time.

See Coordinator v Subordinator properties (how they differ).

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