IN ON AT

IN ON AT

1. IN, ON, AT preposition of place

   • IN - General location or larger area. Like a country or city.
     • a country in Africa I'm in Paris at the moment.
     • IN - Inside a defined space or container. Withing the shape of something.
       • Leave the key in the lock. It's in that drawer. She is in her room.
       • IN - When something is all around you.
         • She was lying in bed. Sitting in an armchair. We went out in the rain. Soak it in cold water.
   • AT - Specific point or location within a larger area.
     • at the corner of the street They arrived late at the airport. I'll be at home all morning. I met her at the hospital.
   • ON - in or into a position covering, touching or forming part of a surface
     • A picture on a wall. There's a mark on your skirt. the diagram on page 5 Put it down on the table. He had been hit on the head.
     • ON - Used to show direction
       • on the left/right He turned his back on us.

2. IN, ON, AT preposition of time

   • IN - After a particular lenth of time.
     • It will be ready in a week's time (= one week from now). She learnt to drive in three weeks (= after three weeks she could drive).
     • IN - During a period of time.
       • in 2021 in the 18th century in spring/summer/autumn/winter in the fall in March
   • AT - To say when something happens.
     • We left at 2 o'clock. at the end of the week At night you can see the stars.
   • ON - Days and dates
     • On Fridays, I have a long lunch. It's his birthday on October 19th. On your birthday.

3. OTHER USES

   • IN
     • IN - used to show the language, material, etc is used.
       • Say it in English. She wrote in pencil. I paid in cash. He spoke in a loud voice.
     • IN - to show a state or condition.
       • I'm in love! The house is in good repair. I must put my affairs in order.
   • AT
     • AT - in the direction of or towards somebody/something.
       • What are you looking at? He pointed a gun at her. Somebody threw paint at the prime minister.
     • AT - used with adjectives to show how well somebody does something.
       • I'm good at French. She's hopeless at managing people.
   • ON
     • ON - Used to show a means of transport
       • He was on the plane from New York. to travel on the bus/tube/coach
     • ON - By means of something; using something
       • She played a tune on her guitar. The information is available on the internet. We spoke on the phone. What's on TV?

4. IN AT ON OF TO

   • OF
     • OF - belonging to something; being part of something; relating to something
       • the lid of the box the director of the company a member of the team the result of the debate
   • TO
     • TO - in the direction of something; towards something
       • I walked to the office. It fell to the ground. It was on the way to the station. He's going to Paris. my first visit to Africa
   • FOR
     • FOR - Used to show who is intended to have or use something or where something is intended to be put.
       • There's a letter for you. It's a book for children. We got a new table for the dining room. This is the place for me (= I like it very much).