Prepositions of Place

by Craig Shrives

Prepositions of Place (At, In, On)

The prepositions “at,” “in,” and “on” are regularly used in expressions of place. For example:

The prepositions “at,” “in,” and “on” are regularly used in expressions of place. For example:

“At” is used for a precise point.

• at the bus stop
• at the front door
• at the entrance
• at the reception desk

“On” is used with a surface.

• on the street
• on the carpet
• on the floor
• on the front cover

“In” is used for an enclosed space.

• in my pocket
• in the box
• in the car
• in the garden

Your Go!

It’s your go. Select the correct preposition:

More Examples with “At”

“At” is generally used for a precise point:

• Meet me

  at

  the park bench.

• Sarah works

  at

  the club house.

• Matt saw the owl

  at

  the barn.

More Examples with “On”

“On” is generally used with a surface:

• The printer in

  on

  my desk.

• Please put the candle

  on

  the ledge.

• The drinks are

  on

  the counter.

More Examples with “In”

“In” is generally used with for an enclosed space:

• I am

  in

  my room.

• The mouse is

  in

  the box.

• We are sitting

  in

  my car.

These guidelines are quite well-observed. However, there are exceptions, which should be learned as set phrases (or

Set Time Phrases

Here are some set phrases that are not obvious fits for the guidelines presented above.

It’s your go. Select the correct preposition:”At” is generally used for a precise point:”On” is generally used with a surface:”In” is generally used with for an enclosed space:These guidelines are quite well-observed. However, there are exceptions, which should be learned as set phrases (or collocations , i.e., words that sound natural when used together).Here are some set phrases that are not obvious fits for the guidelines presented above.

Set Phrases with “At”:

PhraseExample
at homeShe is currently

at home

.
at schoolJack met Jill

at school

.
at the bottomThe treasure is

at the bottom

of the sea.
at the topI’ll meet you

at the top

of the mountain.
at workI hope you do not act like this

at work

.

Set Phrases with “On”:

PhraseExample
on televisionWhat is

on television

tonight?
on the radioI heard you

on the radio

yesterday.
on the left/rightThe bank is the first building

on the left

.

“On” is also used with modes of transport, but not cars and lorries (these are treated as “enclosed spaces” that we in):

PhraseExample
on a bikeChrist

on a bike

! You did what?
on a busThe dog was found

on a bus

.
on a horseYou look confident

on a horse

.
on a planeIt is a film about deadly snakes

on a plane

.
on a shipHer father worked

on a ship

for forty years.
on a trainWe should travel

on a train

next time.

“On” is also used with modes of transport, but not cars and lorries (these are treated as “enclosed spaces” that we):

Set Phrases with “In”:

PhraseExample
in a rowI rolled three sixes

in a row

.
in the newspaperDon’t believe anything you read

in the newspaper

.
in the skyThere was a double rainbow

in the sky

.

“In” is also used with locations:

PhraseExample
in FranceI was lost

in France

.
in LondonIt is too expensive to live

in London

.
in FloridaMy aunties all worked

in Florida

during the 1980s.

“In” is also used with locations:

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