This guide to the prepositions "in", "at" and "on" used as prepositions of place provides basic rules for beginning level English learners and classes. Each preposition has proper uses with three examples to help with understanding. Important exceptions are also included at the end of the lesson. Use this lesson to understand preposition use. In order to practice, write practice sentences using "in", "at" and "on" with various examples similar to the examples provided.
IN
Use 'in' with spaces:
- in a room / in a building
- in a garden / in a park
Use 'in' with bodies of water:
- in the water
- in the sea
- in a river
Use 'in' with lines:
- in a row / in a line
- in a queue
AT
Use 'at' with places:
- at the bus-stop
- at the door
- at the cinema
- at the end of the street
Use 'at' with places on a page:
- at the top of the page
- at the bottom of the page
Use 'at' in groups of people:
- at the back of the class
- at the front of the class
ON
Use 'on' with surfaces:
- on the ceiling / on the wall / on the floor
- on the table
Use 'on' with small islands:
- I stayed on Maui.
Use 'on' with directions:
- on the left
- on the right
- straight on
IMPORTANT NOTES
In / at / on the corner
We say 'in the corner of a room', but 'at the corner (or 'on the corner') of a street'
In / at / on the front
- We say 'in the front / in the back' of a car
- We say 'at the front / at the back' of buildings / groups of people
- We say 'on the front / on the back' of a piece of paper
The words: at, by