The Prepositions of Place ‘In’, ‘On’, and ‘At’ are used to indicate the location of something or someone. These prepositions can be tricky because their usage depends on the specific context, but a simple way to remember them is to think of them as a pyramid, moving from general to specific. 🧐 Get ready to learn about English prepositions of place.

Here we go, let’s talk about the English Prepositions of Place individually

The Preposition ‘In’ 🗺️

‘In’ is the most general preposition of place. We use ‘in’ for large, enclosed spaces. Think of it as being inside a container or a larger geographical area.

Use ‘in’ for:

• Countries, cities, and neighborhoods:
  • I live in Cambodia.
  • He’s staying in Paris.
  • She works in the business district.
• Enclosed spaces (buildings, rooms, vehicles):
  • The books are in the box.
  • My keys are in my pocket.
  • We’re having a party in the living room.
  • The children are playing in the garden.
• Water (lakes, rivers, oceans):
  • The fish are swimming in the pond.
  • I went for a swim in the sea.

The Preposition ‘On’ 📍

‘On’ is more specific than ‘in’. We use ‘on’ to talk about a surface or a line. Think of something touching the top of a flat area.

Use ‘on’ for:

• Surfaces:
  • The book is on the table.
  • There’s a picture on the wall.
  • The remote is on the shelf.
• Streets, avenues, and roads (specific lines):
  • My house is on Elm Street.
  • The cafe is on the corner of Main Street.
• Public transport (when we are a passenger):
  • I was on the bus when you called.
  • She’s on the train to London.
• Floors of a building:
  • Their office is on the 10th floor.
  • The gym is on the ground floor.

The Preposition ‘At’ 🎯

‘At’ is the most specific preposition of place. We use ‘at’ for a precise point or a specific location. Think of a dot on a map.

Use ‘at’ for:

• Specific addresses:
  • I’ll meet you at 123 Main Street.
  • The concert is at the National Arena.
• Public places or specific locations (as a point of activity):
  • He’s studying at the library.
  • We’re having lunch at a restaurant.
  • She’s waiting for me at the bus stop.
• Events:
  • We met at a party.
  • The wedding will be at the church.

Summary Chart 📊See The Different English Prepositions of Place

This chart helps visualize the differences and how the English prepositions of place are used:

Additional Helpful Information

Here is another important article about beginner English learning – The Verb ‘To Be’: Essential English for Beginners

Authoritative Sources for Further Learning 📚

For more detailed information, here are some reliable resources:

• British Council: Prepositions of Place – This page provides excellent explanations and exercises.
  • https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/a1-a2-grammar/prepositions-place
• Cambridge Dictionary: Preposition of place – You can find definitions and examples for ‘in’, ‘on’, and ‘at’ in various contexts.
  • https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/at-on-and-in-place
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): Prepositions – A comprehensive guide on prepositions with clear examples.
  • https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/prepositions/index.html