0

The verb (beat), when used as an intransitive verb, comes with these three prepositions (against / on / at).

Can these prepositions be used completely alternatively?

For instance, 'Webster Dictionary' gives the following examples:

1- He beat at / against / on the door with his fists.

2- The waves were beating on / against the shore.

3- Nina managed to free herself and began beating at the flames with a pillow.

In 2: is it wrong to say (The waves were beating at the shore.)

In 3: is it wrong to say (Nina began beating against / on the flames with a pillow.)

Thanks in advance.

Improve this question
3
  • It's wrong to say that waves beat so it follows that waves beating in also incorrect. Waves crash or break.
    – Bruce Murray
    Commented Jun 14, 2020 at 9:27
  • Those examples are mentioned in (Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's English Dictionary)!
    – Laith Leo
    Commented Jun 14, 2020 at 9:32
  • I think it's great that Merriam-Webster would include it but that does not mean it is in common or everyday use. I was trying to guide the person who set this task towards the most appropriate use of that expression.
    – Bruce Murray
    Commented Jun 14, 2020 at 10:54

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

There are numerous areas in English where usages are not either right or wrong, but either idiomatic (the way people speak), unusual or just awkward - like clothes that don't fit properly.

In my experience, people beat on doors although they can throw themselves against doors. If I were to read that someone beat at the door it wouldn't bother me even if I would have said on the door. Both are acceptable.

As to the waves, it's possible to imagine them either beating on a slightly inclined shore or beating against cliffs. Both are idiomatic.

When he comes to flames, the use of either preposition (against,on) is not idiomatic. Google Books Ngram Viewer shows examples only of beating the flames. So a lot of people would regard the use of either preposition here as wrong.

https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=beat+on+the+flames%2Cbeat+against+the+flames%2Cbeat+the+flames

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .