Which preposition do we use when we talk about something going towards a person? Do we say at someone or to someone? There is a bonus expression at the end of the video, so watch out for that!

The answer to my question is, we can use both, but this is all about the attitude. Let me explain!

Throwing

If I throw something in the direction of another person, and I expect them to catch it, I have thrown it to them. It’s nice, sociable thing.  A person playing a ball game might throw or kick a ball to their teammate.

However, at someone describes a negative mood or attitude. If someone throws something at someone, they don’t expect the other person to catch it.  They want to hit the other person.

Example. A couple is having dinner. One person complains about the food, so the other person, the cook, gets angry and throws their dinner at them.

It’s the same for animals. Someone might throw something aggressively at an animal, intending to hit the animal.  Or they might throw a ball so that a dog can catch it – they throw the ball to the dog.

Again, let’s think back to that ball game.  If someone throws the ball very fast, aiming to hit their teammate, that teammate might say “hey, don’t throw it at me throw it to me!”

Speaking 

A person who talks constantly but doesn’t stop to listen to the other person, is talking at the person. People who talk and listen in a conversation are talking to one another.

Someone might say, in frustration– “you’re talking at me not to me”?

Shouting

When someone is shouting aggressively, they are shouting at the other person.

If the shouting is not aggressive, like for example- a builder is on the roof of a house. He needs something so he shouts to his colleague, to send it up.  He’s only shouting so that he can be heard, not to be nasty.

Bonus Expression

Now of course there is an exception – there’s always an exception! Make sure to watch the video to find out what this is.

As always, comments can be left under the video on YouTube. Until next time!