Prepositions of Place:
At, In or On?
This one can be very confusing for English learners: at, in or on? They are all prepositions of place. So when should you use each?
Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses
At
The word "at" shows us WHERE something is. It doesn't tell us whether it is beside, inside, below or above. It simply shows WHERE.We use "at" when talking about positions or locations.
He is at the restaurant.
She's at the office.
He's at home!
They met at a party.
He is sitting in the corner.
They are sitting at the table.
He was standing at the window.
We use "in"
when talking about a position INSIDE something else.She's at the office.
He's at home!
They met at a party.
He is sitting in the corner.
They are sitting at the table.
He was standing at the window.
The clothes
are in the
closet.
He's in the kitchen.
They are talking in the street.
She is lying in bed.
There was a fire in the fireplace
and she was sitting in the armchair.
There is a shark in the water!
It was written in the newspaper.
Chile is a country in South America.
He's in the kitchen.
They are talking in the street.
She is lying in bed.
There was a fire in the fireplace
and she was sitting in the armchair.
There is a shark in the water!
It was written in the newspaper.
Chile is a country in South America.
On
We use "on" when one thing is ATTACHED to or TOUCHING another.There is a
mirror on
the wall.
There is a stain on his shirt.
The books are on the shelves.
he puts plates on the table.
There is one candle on the cake.
He likes riding on his horse.
There is a stain on his shirt.
The books are on the shelves.
he puts plates on the table.
There is one candle on the cake.
He likes riding on his horse.
Examples of Usage
| At | In | On |
| at home | in bed | on the table |
| at work | in the box | on the shelf |
| at school | in the closet | on the wall |
| at the airport | in a basket | on the second floor |
| at the office | in his pocket | on Columbus street |
| at the party | in the car | on page 10 |
| at the restaurant | in the kitchen | |
| at the university | in the water | |
| at the theater | in an armchair | |
| at the hotel | in the street | |
| at the wedding | in the garden | |
| at the bus stop | in prison | |
| at the corner of the street | in Times Square | |
| at 12 Colombus Street | in New York | |
| at Bob's (= at his house) | in Texas | |
| at the center | in the USA | |
| at the top | in the sky | |
| at the back of the house | in the mirror | |
| at the door (= next to the door) | in a traffic jam | |
| at the table (= next to the table) | in the book |
Exercises
Prepositions
of Place: At, In, On – Exercise 01
Prepositions of Place: At, In, On – Exercise 02
Prepositions of Place: At, In, On – Exercise 03
Prepositions of Place: At, In, On – Exercise 02
Prepositions of Place: At, In, On – Exercise 03
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