Which phrase is grammatically accurate: "Knock at the door" or "knock on the door"?
2023-04-19
This is what goPenpal answered
Both "knock at the door" and "knock on the door" are grammatically correct.
However, the usage depends on the context and the speaker's intention.
"Knock on the door" is more commonly used in everyday English when referring to physically tapping or striking the surface of the door with one's hand or knuckles. It suggests that the person is trying to get the attention of whoever is inside the room or on the other side of it. For example, you might say, "I knocked on the door, but no one answered."
On the other hand, "knock at the door" is used when one wishes to emphasize the location of the knock. It suggests that the person is standing outside the door and making their presence known. This phrase is also used more commonly in literature or poetry. For example, "There was a gentle knock at the door, and I knew it was my mother."
In essence, both expressions are correct and grammatical, but the choice of which one to use depends upon the context and the emphasis that you want to give to the action of knocking.
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