Are you living at home or in a house?

Today’s English
February 21st, 2017

People generally say that you can buy a house but not a home. Yes, of course, house is made by bricks whereas home is made by love. House is used when you refer to the building but the term home is used to mean a place where you have someone to love you, to care for you, to make you feel free, relaxed and comfortable.  When you family members keep away from home or quarrelling with you, your home becomes a house. Use of preposition “to" is of another concern.  You can say “go to house" but you have to say “go home", not go to home.

The common phrases which include home are "be/feel at home", set up home, leave home, work from home , come home (attain enlightenment) and make yourself at home.

1.His comic performance brought the house down. (= He made everyone laugh)

2.They recently got married and set up home together in Chennai. (=started living together)

3.She left home at the age of six. (=started living independently)

4.Do you feel at home now? (=Are you comfortable and without tension?)

5.What happened to you? Please sit down and make yourself at home first. (Feel relaxed and comfortable)

“Where thou art, that is home.” – Emily Dickinson