IN, ON, AT – Preposition of Place!

3 minutes read

Learning a new language can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to understanding prepositions. For English learners, mastering prepositions of place like “in,” “on,” and “at” is essential for effective communication. These little words play a big role in indicating where things are located. In this article, we’ll explore the uses of “in,” “on,” and “at” to help you gain confidence in using them correctly.

IN

Let’s start with “in.” This preposition is commonly used to describe something that is enclosed or surrounded by something else. We use “in” when talking about being inside a container, space, or an enclosed area. For example:

The book is in the bag.
The cat is sleeping in the box.
She lives in a small town.

Exercises:

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “in.”

The keys are ____ the drawer.
We’ll meet you ____ front of the restaurant.
They live ____ a small village.
There is a spider ____ the bathroom.
She left her phone ____ her backpack.

Key: 1. in, 2. in, 3. in, 4. in, 5. in.

ON

Next up is “on.” We use “on” to express that something is positioned on a surface or touching the top of something else. It often refers to a specific point or place. Consider the following examples:

The keys are on the table.
There’s a stain on his shirt.
The picture hangs on the wall.

Exercises:

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “on.”

There’s a stain ____ the shirt.
The painting hangs ____ the wall.
The cup is ____ the saucer.
The cat is sleeping ____ the bed.
The note is pinned ____ the bulletin board.

Key: 1. on, 2. on, 3. on, 4. on, 5. on.

AT

“At” is used to indicate a specific point, location, or position. It’s commonly used with addresses, landmarks, and certain places. Check out these examples:

She’s waiting for you at the bus stop.
They are studying at the library.
We’ll meet at the restaurant.

Exercises:

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate form of “at.”

We’ll meet again ____ the park.
She is waiting for you ____ the entrance.
The class will start ____ 9:30 AM.
He is not ____ home right now.
The party will be ____ the community center.

Key: 1. at, 2. at, 3. at, 4. at, 5. at.

Remember the Rules

Now that we’ve looked at the basics of “in,” “on,” and “at,” here are some general guidelines to remember:

In is used for enclosed spaces or larger areas.
On is used when something is touching a surface or when we talk about a point on a line or surface.
At is used for specific points or locations.

However, like many language rules, there are exceptions and idiomatic expressions that might not follow these guidelines. The best way to get comfortable with prepositions of place is through practice and exposure.

TRANSPORTATION

When it comes to talking about various modes of transportation, it’s important to know how to use the prepositions “on” and “in” correctly. Fortunately, the rules are quite simple and easy to follow.

ON

When you CAN WALK around on the transportation.

The rule for “on” is straightforward. If the mode of transportation provides enough room for you to move around on your feet, then you should use “on.”

For example:

I was on the cruise ship when you called me. (Cruise ships are spacious enough to allow walking around.)
They were on the train to Paris. (Trains typically have enough space for passengers to walk around.)

IN

When you can NOT WALK around on the transportation.

On the other hand, “in” is used when the vehicle or mode of transportation is too small to allow walking around.

For example:

Please get in the helicopter. (Helicopters are compact, so you can’t walk around inside them.)
We sat in the canoe and paddled across the lake. (Canoes do not offer space for walking around.)

By keeping these simple rules in mind, you’ll be able to use “on” and “in” appropriately when talking about various modes of transportation. Practice using these prepositions in your everyday conversations, and soon it will become second nature to you!

In conclusion, understanding when to use “in,” “on,” and “at” will help you express the location of objects, people, and events more precisely.