In, On, At - Prepositions of Place - ESLBuzz Learning English

The English language is full of nuances and subtleties, and one area where this is particularly evident is in the use of prepositions. Among the most commonly used prepositions in English are “in,” “on,” and “at,” which are used to indicate a relationship of location or position between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence.

In this article, we will take a closer look at these three prepositions, focusing on their uses and meanings as prepositions of place. We’ll explore when to use “in,” “on,” and “at,” and provide examples of each in context.

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How to Use Prepositions of Place AT – IN – ON

Prepositions of place, such as “at,” “in,” and “on,” are used to indicate the location or position of a person, place, or thing in relation to something else. Here’s a brief overview of how to use each preposition:

How to the Preposition “AT”

‘AT’ is used with …

Addresses:

734 State Street
292 Oxford Street

Specific Locations/ Points:

at The Empire State Building
at the corner
at the bus stop
at the door
at the top of page
at the end of the road
at the entrance
at the crossroads
at the front desk
at a conference
at a party
at a concert
at someone’s house
at the doctor’s/ hairdresser’s
at the bus stop
at the end of road
at the crossroads
at the front
at the back
at the top
at the bottom
at the door

How to the Preposition “IN”

‘IN’ is used with …

Countries:

in England

Cities:

in London

Neighborhood:

in Manhattan
in Chinatown

Enclosed space:

in a traffic jam
in Time Square
in a building
in a car
in a taxi
in a boat
in a helicopter
in a lift (elevator)
in the living – room
in the article

How to the Preposition “ON”

‘ON’ is used with …

Means of transport:

on a bus
on a train
on a plane
on a ship
on a bicycle/ motorcycle
on a horse

Communications:

on the radio
on the television
on the phone
on the Internet

Surfaces:

on a table
on a wall
on the floor
on the roof
on the menu
on the page
on the door
on the shelf
on the second floor

Avenues:

on The Seventh Avenue

Streets:

on Oxford street
on Columbus street

It’s important to note that these prepositions can also have other uses and meanings, depending on the context in which they are used. For example, “at” can also be used to indicate a specific time, as in “I’ll see you at 7 o’clock.” Additionally, “in” and “on” can also be used to indicate a period of time, such as “in the morning” or “on Monday.” To use these prepositions correctly, it’s important to pay attention to the context of the sentence and the relationship between the words you are using.

Additionally, It’s also helpful to practice by reading and listening to the language, it will help you to internalize the correct usages and make you more confident with the language.