PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE

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at

at a point

 
We use at to refer to a point near something.

• Can you see that car at the traffic light? (=The car is at a point near the traffic light)
• Who is that man at the door. (=The man is at a point near the door)

at the top of/at the bottom of/at the end of

 
We use at in the expressions at the top of, at the bottom of  and at the end of.

• She is at the top of the stairs. 
• Please, sign at the bottom of the page.
• The new café is at the end of the street. 

Group activities

 
We use at to refer to group activities like parties, concerts, and other events.

• We were at the cinema. 
• I didn’t see you at Jackie’s party. 
• We met at a concert. 

at + school/university/college

 
We normally use at with school, university and college.

• He is at school every morning until 12. 
• I’m studying at Oxford University.

be at home/work

 
We say be at home/at work (without the)

• She’s at home. (NOT at the home)
• I’ll be at work all morning. (NOT at the work)

at the shop

 
We use at to refer to shops, restaurants, cafés, etc.

• I’m at the bakery. 
• If you are at the chemist’s, can you buy some aspirins?

in

in a 3D space

 
We use in to refer to a position inside of a three dimensional space.

• The book is in the bag. 
• She is waiting in the classroom. 

in a space with limits

 
We also use in for areas that have limits or boundaries, like continents, countries, cities, regions, etc.

• We are in France. 
• I love the houses in the Alps.

in a car

 
We use in for cars and vans.

• They are in the car.

in the water

 
We also use in when something is in the water: in the sea, in the river, in the swimming pool, etc.

• The kids have fun in the swimming pool. 

in a picture, in a book

 
We also use in for things that are printed in books, pictures, documents, etc.

• Who’s that woman in the picture?
• Does it say anything about the concert in the newspaper?

on

on a surface

 
We use on to refer to a position on a surface.

• The book is on the table. 

on the first/second/etc. floor

 
We use on to refer to floors in a building.

• The office is on the third floor. 

on the right/left

 
We use on in the expressions on the right and on the left.

• The office is on the third floor on the left. 

on the bus/train/plane

 
We use on when we are using public transport: on the bus, on a train, on a plane, etc.

• She’s on the bus right now. 

on TV/the radio/the Internet/a website

 
We use on when we read, see or learn something on the media.

• I saw it on TV last night

EXERCISES