While inviting the guests to the stage, In India, it is usually said that now I request Mr David to come on to the stage. Some professors I know say that it should be come up to the stage. My point is can we say I am requesting Mr David to come on to or come up to the stage? I hope my doubt will be clarified by the experts on the site
asked Jul 25 at 7:41
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1You can say either. It is ridiculous to suggest that only one of those is right. You could say 'mount the stage' or 'grace the stage with his presence' or probably many other things.– Michael HarveyCommented Jul 25 at 8:23
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Or are you asking about the difference between the present continuous and simple present?– Seowjooheng SingaporeCommented Jul 25 at 8:32
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Yes. I am asking two things- one is the tense and the other is the correct verb and the correct preposition that follow it. I want to know all the possible expressions in the context– JvlnarasimharaoCommented Jul 25 at 8:42
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2It would be natural to use come up to if Mr David will have to climb steps to get on to the stage (but on to wouldn't be wrong).– Kate BuntingCommented Jul 25 at 8:46
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Note: We ask them to do it, we don't request that they do it. Notice the grammar.– LambieCommented Jul 25 at 13:59
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2 Answers
Either preposition is fine, but they mean slightly different things.
- Please come up to the stage.
Up here has at least two possible meanings. It may imply that the stage is raised above the level of the floor, and the request is to ascend from the floor to the stage. Alternatively the request may be to move closer to the stage area. For example, if someone is at the back of the room, calling them to come up is the same as calling them to come forward. Here up has a metaphoric sense, of moving from a less important to more important place.
- Please come on to the stage.
On the stage means "on top of". Being on the stage is the same as being on the dance floor, or being on the sports field. On to or onto suggests a movement resulting in being on. For example:
- We were on the dance floor while our favourite song was playing.
- We got onto the dance floor when our favourite song began playing.
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It seems to me a good answer. I thank Mr peter for his prompt and useful response Commented Jul 25 at 13:13
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Most English professors I know say May I request Mr David to come on to the stage though join me on the stage may be nice but rarely used or heard atleast in the Indian context Commented Jul 25 at 14:52
There is a stage with a presenter. The presenter say:
"Mr. David, will you please join me on the stage?" [the most polite]
Mr. David then came up on the stage.
Not up to. come on stage.
