What preposition should I use before the word “Christmas”?


Example:



The whole family got together __ Christmas.



Meaning: Christmas is the reason for the family getting together



Answer



The word usage is wholly dependent upon what you are trying to say with the sentence. Note that the differences, while real, are also minor. Most readers would guess the reason for the gathering.



The whole family got together at Christmas.



This implies that the family got together around Christmas time, but does not suggest that Christmas was the reason for the gathering. This can be seen in the following example:



The whole family got together at Christmas for Uncle Benny's funeral.



If you are trying to say the family gathered to celebrate the holidays, then you might say



The whole family got together for Christmas.



Or



The whole family got together to celebrate Christmas.



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