Monday, December 14, 2020

familiar to, familiar with

Familiar to means known to. If someone or something is familiar to you, you recognize it well.
  • His work is familiar to me.
  • Her face is familiar to the crowd.
  • This tune is familiar to most of the singers.
  • The appearance of the Polar bear is familiar to all.
  • The name of the school was not familiar to me.
Familiar with means having a fairly good knowledge of. If you are familiar with something, you know or understand it well.
  • He is familiar with the countryside.
  • Sam was familiar with those streets.
  • Eva is quite familiar with Central Television; she worked there for 5 years.
  • I'm familiar with various teaching software packages.
  • I’m not familiar with the latest research in this field.

Thursday, December 03, 2020

below, under


Below and under can both mean lower than and most of the times either can be used.

In general, under indicates contact. Prefer under when something is covered or hidden by what is over it, and when things are touching.
  • Sarah put the letter under her pillow.
  • The toy car crackled under his feet.
  • What color shirt are you wearing under your sweater?
  • The whole village is under water.
With below there is usually a space between the two surfaces. Prefer below when one thing is not directly under another.
  • They live below us. (we live on third floor and they live on the second.)
  • The mirror was placed below the window.
  • The path runs below a long brick wall.
  • The sun had already sunk below the horizon.
Below and under can mean junior in rank. 
He is under me implies that I am his immediate superior. Below may or may not imply the same meaning. 

Use below in measurements of temperature and height, and in cases where one thinks of a vertical scale.
  • The temperature is 2 degrees below zero.
  • Fully natural places below sea level require a dry climate.
  • The plane flew below the clouds.
  • Tom's strength is below average for a child his size.
Use under to mean less than or younger than.
  • There were under fifty people at the conference.
  • You cannot watch this film if you are under 18.
Beneath can sometimes be used instead of under, but prefer using it for abstract meanings.
  • Captain would think it beneath him to tell a lie. (unworthy of him)
  • She married beneath her. (into a lower social class)
  • Her behavior is beneath contempt. (really disgraceful)

Wednesday, December 02, 2020

arrive in, arrive at


We arrive in a city or a country, at or in a village, at any other destination.

  • The crew arrived in Spain. (Spain: country)
  • The crew arrived in Madrid. (Madrid: city)
  • I arrived at the hotel. 
  • I arrived at the airport.
  • The car arrived at the bridge. 
  • I arrived at the crossroads.
  • Sam arrived at the station just in time.
  • When did you first arrive in Bangalore? (Bangalore: city)
  • Her parents arrived in America in 1926. (America: country)
  • Once you arrive in India, you will definitely have to see the Taj Mahal. (India: country)
  • A delegation of senior French ministers will arrive in New Delhi today. (New Delhi: city)
  • A young student newly arrived in England from New Zealand. (England: country)
  • Migrating birds arrive at a village in Sivaganga District. 
  • Chinese players arrive at Olympic Village in South Korea.
  • Personally, I like to arrive at a theatre, at least 30 minutes before curtain time.