What the difference between you were home and you were at home?

Answer 1

It depends on the context. In some situations either expression may be used and will mean the same thing. It would be a matter of personal choice.

But there are situations when one form is better than the other.

---- Situation A.

If you are talking to someone who has recently left their parental home and set up a home of their own, we could ask them "When you were at home, did you have a television in your bedroom?

...which means: "When you were living at home with your parents, did you ... ?" So you would have to say "When you were at home.." if you want to convey this thought.

---- Situation B.

You are talking to a friend who had spent some time with you the previous day, and they had had a long journey to make to get back home, probably arriving very late in the evening. You see them at work/school the next day and want to know if they were very tired when they got back home. You might ask "When you were home, did you go straight to bed or did you stay up and play cards with your brother?"

What you mean is 'When you eventually got home, were you tired, or were you still very much awake and mentally active?'

So, instead of saying 'When you got home...' you could say "When you were home...'

---- In situation 'A', 'when you were at home', means 'when you were living at home'. In situation 'B', 'when you were home', meant 'when you got home after your long day'.

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Similarly. "You were home before me!" means 'you arrived back home before me'. The preposition at is not necessary.

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Compare the usage in these further examples:

* You were at home when I called, so why didn't you answer the phone? (= you were there!)

* You were home by six o'clock, so I can't see why anyone would complain! (= you had arrived home)

GRAMMAR NOTES:

The preposition at often causes problems for learners.

1) When you use verbs of movement with home, for example to 'go home', or to 'come home', the preposition is not necessary.

* What time did you go home?

* She called me as soon as she got home.

2) When you use 'non-movement' verbs with meanings such as be, stay, or live , you can use the preposition at.

In the following sentences, whether at is used or not, the meaning is the same: * They were (at) home all the week-end. * She has to stay (at) home to look after her elderly mother. * Will you be (at) home if I call about six o'clock?

[Note: In the UK, at is used more often in these situations than in the US.]