Prepositions

a grammar lesson on prepositions: in, at and  on

Prepositions of place: at, in and on

At, in and on

The prepositions at in and on can be confusing sometimes. The following is an explanation of how to use these prepositions.

At

At is used to locate something at a certain point:
Examples:
  • at the bus station
  • at the entrance
  • at the crossroads
  • at the junction
  • at the top of the mountain
  • at John's house
We were waiting at the bus stop when it started to rain.
He was at the entrance of the theater when he heard the noise.

In

It is used to locate something enclosed in a space:
Examples:
  • In a box
  • In a car
  • In a building
  • In my pocket
  • In my bag
  • In New York
  • In Spain
They found a lot of money in his pocket
I 've lived in London for two years

On

On is used to indicate the position above and in contact with the surface of something:
Examples:
  • On the wall
  • On the door
  • On the table
  • On the ceiling
  • On the carpet
  • On the page
  • On the cover
The picture on the wall is fantastic.
You'll find more information about the camp on this page.

Prepositions of place: at, in and on

At, in and on

The prepositions at in and on can be confusing sometimes. The following is an explanation of how to use these prepositions.

At

At is used to locate something at a certain point:
Examples:
  • at the bus station
  • at the entrance
  • at the crossroads
  • at the junction
  • at the top of the mountain
  • at John's house
We were waiting at the bus stop when it started to rain.
He was at the entrance of the theater when he heard the noise.

In

In is used to locate something enclosed in a space:
Examples:
  • In a box
  • In a car
  • In a building
  • In my pocket
  • In my bag
  • In New York
  • In Spain
They found a lot of money in his pocket
I 've lived in London for two years

On

On is used to indicate position above and in contact with the surface of something:
Examples:
  • On the wall
  • On the door
  • On the table
  • On the ceiling
  • On the carpet
  • On the page
  • On the cover
The picture on the wall is fantastic.
You'll find more information about the camp on this page.

Other Prepositions

PrepositionExplanationExample
from
  • used to show the origin of something or someone
  • used to show the material of which something is made
  • used to show a change in the state of someone or something
  • "Where are you from?" "I'm from Italy."
  • The desk is made from pine.
  • Things went from bad to worse.
of
  • used to show possession, belonging or origin
  • used after words or phrases expressing amount, number or particular unit
  • a friend of mine
  • a kilo of apples
by
  • used to show the person or thing that does something:
  • I'm reading some short stories (written) by Chekhov.
on
  • used for showing some methods of travelling
  • entering a public transport vehicle
  • It'd be quicker to get there on foot / on horse
  • get on the train
in
  • entering a car  / Taxi
  • She got in the car and drove fast.
off
  • leaving a public transport vehicle
  • She got off the bus
out of
  • leaving a closed vehicle, building...
  • She got out of the car
by
  • used to show measurements or amounts
  • traveling (other than walking or horseriding)
  • Their wages were increased by 12%.
  • She went by car, by bus, by train
at
  • age
  • In theory, women can still have children at the age of 50.
about
  • on the subject of; connected with
  • What's that book about?

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