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on your desk vs at your desk

Both 'on your desk' and 'at your desk' are correct, but 'On your desk' refers to something physically located on top of the desk, while 'at your desk' refers to a general location near or around the desk.
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Explained by Michele A.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: November 19, 2024 • 10658 views

on your desk

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate something physically located on top of the desk.

Use 'on your desk' when referring to something that is physically placed on top of the desk, such as a book, a pen, or a computer.

Examples:

  • I left the report on your desk.
  • There is a pile of papers on your desk.
  • The keys are on your desk.
  • Jan 13, 2016 ... Please clarify the usage of right preposition on or at. For example: That paper is on your desk. or That paper is at your desk. prepositions.
  • Dec 25, 2014 ... teacher to a student: 1- I want to see you sitting at your desk 2- I want to see you sitting on your desk which preposition is correct ...
  • Oct 31, 2024 ... What's on your desk, Victoria Song? Feb 7, 2024, 7:00 AM PST. See all 28 stories.
  • Oct 23, 2024 ... It's pointless to have a nice clean desk, because it means you're not doing anything. Michio Kaku. iHannas first entry for What's On Your desk / ...
  • Oct 3, 2024 ... What's on your desk, Nathan Edwards? Nov 21, 2023, 7:07 AM PST. See all 27 stories.
  • May 3, 2017 ... What is something you keep on your desk that most people don't? My table is very very messy. Weird ...
  • Nov 15, 2022 ... Controller players on PC, do you hold your controller on your desk or underneath? DISCUSSION. I'm curious whether people are split evenly or ...
  • Jun 3, 2019 ... What's on your desk?” is a new series by the Zendesk Creative Department that highlights the weird, wacky, and wonderful things on the desks ...
  • Sep 10, 2024 ... How much did you spend on your desk? FAQ. I am about to bite the bullet and get my first standing desk (a FlexiSpot E7 and a custom desktop ...
  • On Your Desk: Michelle Barnett · Friday, November 02, 2012 · Michelle Barnett 1. Today's workspace photos come from Michelle Barnett, a very talented young ...

Alternatives:

  • on top of your desk
  • sitting on your desk
  • placed on your desk
  • resting on your desk
  • lying on your desk

at your desk

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a general location near or around the desk.

Use 'at your desk' when referring to someone's general location near or around the desk, without specifying something physically on top of the desk.

Examples:

  • I'll meet you at your desk.
  • She's working at her desk.
  • He's always at his desk.
  • Dec 25, 2014 ... teacher to a student: 1- I want to see you sitting at your desk 2- I want to see you sitting on your desk which preposition is correct ...
  • Jan 13, 2016 ... Please clarify the usage of right preposition on or at. For example: That paper is on your desk. or That paper is at your desk. prepositions.
  • Mar 11, 2016 ... The latest scam has neither. Instead of getting into an employee's computer, it gets into their head. “Are you at your desk?” The subject line ...
  • Jun 10, 2022 ... Eating a salad at your desk may not be the most memorable kind of lunch, but at least you can get some work done. In France, that's forbidden.
  • Feeling anxious and overwhelmed at your desk? Prone to procrastination? Dreading that upcoming meeting with your boss? Deeply inhale “At Your Desk” to cool off.
  • Jan 15, 2023 ... hobbies you can do at your desk? I work at home on the phones for an insurance company. There's some days like today where I'm going 7 ...
  • Is Dying at Your Desk Noble or Tragic? Denise Logan. Legacy | Purpose | What's Next. Earlier this year, I facilitated a retreat for a group of business owners ...
  • Jul 31, 2019 ... Don't heat fish and eat it at your desk. Otherwise, you're good.
  • Jun 29, 2016 ... Do you eat lunch at your desk? Always, I don't want to deal with users at lunch. Yep, I have too much to do… Yes, ...
  • Aug 21, 2019 ... I recently put the question out there on Twitter: Do you eat lunch at your desk? If so, why? The nearly 50 responses were telling. By a ...

Alternatives:

  • by your desk
  • near your desk
  • next to your desk
  • beside your desk
  • close to your desk

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