に vs. で

[nalo6451]

Hi guys.

So I'm just wondering if I could get some clarification on something. To say "Please write your name here" one would say "ここになまえをかいてください".

If I want to say "I am writing my name here" would this be "ここでなまえをかいています"?

Thanks.

 

[Toritoribe]

It differs depending on what you mean by "here". When it indicates the location you are doing the action "writing" (e.g. in a room), で is used, and when it refers to the object/place you are writing your name on (e.g. on a document), に is the one.
In the same logic, your first example sentence should be ここでなまえをかいてください when the speaker means the location of action (e.g. in this room) by "here".

 

[nalo6451]

It differs depending on what you mean by "here". When it indicates the location you are doing the action "writing" (e.g. in a room), で is used, and when it refers to the object/place you are writing your name on (e.g. on a document), に is the one.
In the same logic, your first example sentence should be ここでなまえをかいてください when the speaker means the location of action (e.g. in this room) by "here".

Thanks toritoribe. I think it was the tense that confused me here.

So when you are describing a location at which a verb occurs (whether it is past, present, or future) you use で, but when you are describing a location/object at which a verb is directed (past, present, or future) you use に?

For example:
"I wrote my name here (on the piece of paper)" would be "ここになまえをかきました" and,
"I wrote my name here (while sitting in this seat)" would be "ここでなまえをかきました".

 

[Toritoribe]

Exactly. The choice of the particle is not affected by the tense.
e.g.
公園でベンチに座りました。
I sat on a bench in the park.

明日郵便局で彼女に手紙を送ります。
Tomorrow, I will send a letter to her at the post office.

彼は今、教室で先生に話しています。
He is talking to his teacher in the classroom now.