Prepositions of Place: at, in, on
In general, we use:
at for a POINT
in for an ENCLOSED SPACE
on for a SURFACE
at |
in |
on |
POINT |
ENCLOSED SPACE |
SURFACE |
at the corner |
in the garden |
on the wall |
at the bus stop |
in London |
on the ceiling |
at the door |
in France |
on the door |
at the top of the page |
in a box |
on the cover |
at the end of the road |
in my pocket |
on the floor |
at the entrance |
in my wallet |
on the carpet |
at the crossroads |
in a building |
on the menu |
at the entrance |
in a car |
on a page |
Look at these examples:
Jane is waiting for you at the bus stop.
The shop is at the end of the street.
My plane stopped at Dubai and Hanoi and arrived in Bangkok two hours late.
When will you arrive at the office?
Do you work in an office?
I have a meeting in New York.
Do you live in Japan?
Jupiter is in the Solar System.
The author's name is on the cover of the book.
There are no prices on this menu.
You are standing on my foot.
There was a "no smoking" sign on the wall.
I live on the 7th floor at 21 Oxford Street in London.
Notice the use of the prepositions of place at, in and on in these standard expressions:
at |
in |
on |
at home |
in a car |
on a bus |
at work |
in a taxi |
on a train |
at school |
in a helicopter |
on a plane |
at university |
in a boat |
on a ship |
at college |
in a lift (elevator) |
on a bicycle, on a motorbike |
at the top |
in the newspaper |
on a horse, on an elephant |
at the bottom |
in the sky |
on the radio, on television |
at the side |
in a row |
on the left, on the right |
at reception |
in Oxford Street |
on the way |
Prepositions of place
The preposition AT is used in the following descriptions of place/position:
With specific places/points in space:
She kept the horse at a nearby farm.
I had a cup of coffee at Helen’s (house/flat).
Angie’s still at home.
I’ll meet you at reception.
There’s a man at the door.
I saw her standing at the bus stop.
Turn right at the traffic lights.
The index is at the back of the book.
Write your name at the top of each page.
With public places and shops:
Jane’s at the dentist/hairdresser.
I studied German at college/school/university.
Shall I meet you at the station?
We bought some bread at the supermarket.
With addresses:
They live at 70, Duncombe Place.
With events:
I met her at last year’s conference. She wasn’t at Simon’s party.
The preposition ON is used in the following descriptions of place/position:
With surfaces, or things that can be thought of as surfaces:
The letter is on my desk.
There was a beautiful painting on the wall.
The toy department is on the first floor.
Write the number down on a piece of paper.
You’ve got a dirty mark on your jumper.
He had a large spot on his nose.
She placed her hand on my shoulder.
With roads/streets, or other things that can be thought of as a line, e.g.: rivers:
The bank is on the corner of King’s Street.
Koblenz is on the Rhine.
Bournemouth is on the south coast.
It’s the second turning on the left.
The preposition IN is used in the following descriptions of place/position:
With geographical regions:
Driving in France is very straightforward.
Orgiva is a very small village in the mountains.
With cities, towns and larger areas:
Do you like living in Nottingham?
They were having a picnic in the park.
She works somewhere in the toy department.
With buildings/rooms and places that can be thought of as surrounding a person or object on all sides:
Can you take a seat in the waiting room please?
I’ve left my bag in the office.
There’s a wedding in the church this afternoon.
Lots of people were swimming in the lake
With containers:
There’s fresh milk in the fridge.
I think I’ve got a tissue in my pocket.
The money is in the top drawer of my desk.
With liquids and other substances, to show what they contain:
Do you take milk in your coffee?
I can taste garlic in this sauce.
There’s a lot of fat in cheese and butter.
Summary:
At - a specific place or position in space.
On - the position of something in relation to a surface.
In - the position of something in relation to the things that surround it.
More prepositions of place
Prepositions of Place |
|
|
after |
|
|
She
slammed the door |
after |
her. |
They ran |
after |
the thief. |
among |
|
|
I enjoy being |
among |
my friends. |
I found my handbag |
among |
my luggage. |
at |
|
|
The secretary was sitting |
at |
her desk. |
The man was standing |
at |
the taxi stand. |
behind |
|
|
The car park is |
behind |
the building. |
He never won a race, he was always |
behind |
the others. |
between |
|
|
The prisoner sat |
between |
the two policemen. |
I held the pen |
between |
my thumb and fingers. |
in |
|
|
The pen was |
in |
the drawer. |
He lives |
in |
South Africa. |
in front of |
|
|
The teacher stands |
in front of |
the class. |
The car was parked |
in front of |
the garage. |
next to / beside / by |
|
|
In my English lesson I always sit |
next
to/ |
my friend. |
The bank is |
next
to/ |
the hotel. |
on |
|
|
The painting was hanging |
on |
the wall. |
The boy was sitting |
on |
the chair. |
over/above |
|
|
The sign hanging |
over/above |
the door read 'No smoking'. |
I put the tablecoth |
over |
the table. |
I enjoy watching the planes fly |
above |
me. |
under / below |
|
|
The temperature outside was |
below |
Zero. |
The woman was sheltering |
under |
a tree. |
When flying I enjoy watching the clouds |
below |
me. |
The children hid |
under |
the table. |
POWERPLUSWATERMARKOBJECT23896470 PREPOSITIONS OF TIME FOR AND SINCE 1
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Prepositions
Tags: general, prepositions, place