Learn How to Use the Prepositions—at, on, in!

Prepositions in English can be hard! In American English, the prepositions “at,” “on,” and “in” are used to indicate location or position, but they have different meanings and usage:

1. “At”:
– “At” is used to indicate a specific point or place.
– It is often used for specific addresses, buildings, or landmarks.
– Examples: “I’m at the grocery store,” “She’s waiting at the bus stop.”

2. “On”:
– “On” is used to indicate a surface or a position that is physically in contact with something.
– It is commonly used with surfaces like tables, floors, or objects.
– Examples: “The book is on the table,” “He’s standing on the sidewalk.”

3. “In”:
– “In” is used to indicate being inside or within something.
– It is commonly used for enclosed spaces, locations, or time frames.
– Examples: “She’s in the house,” “They live in New York,” “We’ll meet in an hour.”

It’s important to note that there are many exceptions! This is true especially with phrasal verbs. Therefore, it’s always helpful to pay attention to the specific context and consult a dictionary, a native speaker, or language resources when in doubt.

To your English success,

Allison