🟣韓国のTOEICリーディング3 TEST9の Part5で、下記のような問題が出た。
The community swimming pool will be constructed (__) three separate stages.
選択肢は、in, at などがあったが、回答はin となっていた。
in、atを使用した場合の違いをChatGPTに質問した。
◼️質問
Which sentence is more appropriate and why ?
The community swimming pool will be constructed in three separate stages.
The community swimming pool will be constructed at three separate stages.
◼️ChatGPTの回答
Both sentences are grammatically correct, but the appropriate sentence depends on the intended meaning.
If the construction process for the community swimming pool is divided into three different stages or phases that will occur sequentially, then the sentence “The community swimming pool will be constructed in three separate stages” would be more appropriate, as it uses the preposition “in” to indicate a process or method.
On the other hand, if the construction of the community swimming pool will occur during three specific points in time, which may or may not be consecutive, then the sentence “The community swimming pool will be constructed at three separate stages” would be more appropriate, as it uses the preposition “at” to indicate specific times or points in time.
In general, it is important to choose the preposition that accurately reflects the intended meaning and usage of the sentence.
◼️質問
What is the grammatical difference between the below two sentences?
The community swimming pool will be constructed in three separate stages.
The community swimming pool will be constructed at three separate stages.
◼️ChatGPT の回答
The grammatical difference between the two sentences is in the use of the prepositions “in” and “at.”
The first sentence, “The community swimming pool will be constructed in three separate stages,” uses the preposition “in” to indicate the manner in which the pool will be constructed. “In” is used to indicate that the pool will be constructed over the course of three different stages or phases, and that each stage will be completed before the next one begins.
The second sentence, “The community swimming pool will be constructed at three separate stages,” uses the preposition “at” to indicate the specific times or points in time when the construction of the pool will occur. “At” is used to indicate that the pool will be constructed during three specific stages, which may or may not be consecutive.
Therefore, the first sentence suggests a sequential construction process with three different phases, while the second sentence suggests that the construction will take place during three specific points in time, which may or may not be consecutive.
◼️質問
Which is more appropriate, in or at?
The community swimming pool will be constructed at/in three separate stages.
◼️回答
Both “at” and “in” can be used to indicate the location of the community swimming pool construction. However, the choice between the two prepositions can depend on the context and the intended meaning.
If the focus is on the specific point in time when each stage of the construction will take place, then “at” might be more appropriate. For example, “The first stage of the community swimming pool construction will begin at the end of this month.”
On the other hand, if the focus is on the overall process of constructing the pool and the stages are seen as parts of the whole, then “in” might be more appropriate. For example, “The community swimming pool will be constructed in three separate stages, with each stage building on the progress of the previous one.”
In general, both “at” and “in” can be used in this context, and the choice between them can depend on the specific context and intended meaning.