How to use at, in, on

Prepositions and prepositional phrases of place

At + N (point)
Ex:
- I live in Nha Trang
- My trip stop at Nha Trang
On + N (surface)
Ex:
- The people are in the world
- The people are On the Earth
- The fan is on the wall
In + N ( 3D)
Ex:
- The information is on 51 pages
- The information is in textbook

Prepositional phrases of place
1. Which sentence is NOT correct?
He works in the first floor.
He lives in Park Street.
He works in the city centre.
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?
There are no vegetarian meals on the menu.
The calendar is on the wall.
The prince died on the end of the film. Correct
3. Which sentence is NOT correct
Tom is standing at the back of the queue.
Theres something written at the side of the box. Correct
Turn right at the end of this street.
4. Which word goes in the space?
My name is _____ the top of the list.
on
at Correct
in Incorrect
5. Which preposition goes in the space?
I live next ____ a railway line.
of
to Correct
from
6. Which preposition goes in the space?
Your wallet is right in front ______ you!
to
of Correct
from
7. dsd
Complete the sentence.
We rented a flat _____ Hamburg
at
on
in Correct
8. Which sentence is NOT correct?
I saw Helen on the butchers today. Correct
I saw Helen in the butchers today. Incorrect
I saw Helen at the butchers today.
9. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Can you sign your name at the bottom please?
Sorry I missed you. I was at a meeting. Incorrect
The school is at Kings Square. Correct
10. Which sentence is NOT correct?
She lives in a farm on the mountains. Correct
Theres something written on the back of the envelope. Incorrect
The office is on the main road between Derby and Nottingham. Incorrect
Use:
Use prepositions of place to describe where something is.


The ball is on the box.

The ball is in the box.



The ball is under the box.

The ball is over the box.



The ball is next to the box.



The ball is between the two
boxes.



The ball is near (to) the
box.



The ball is in front of the
box.



The ball is behind the box.

In is also used in these situations:
Countries, cities, villages We live in France / in Paris / in Madrid.

the world
Its the highest building in the world.

mountains and valleys
They have a cottage in the mountains / in a valley.

buildings
She works in a bank.

water
Dont swim in the sea / the river / the lake.

the middle / centre
He lives in the middle of Paris / in the city centre.

books / films / newspaper
Which film was that actor in? I read about it in the
newspaper.

Countries, cities, villages
the world
mountains and valleys
buildings
water
the middle / centre
books / films / newspaper
On is also used in these situations:
walls, ceilings, doors,
floor:
She hung the picture on the ceiling / the wall / the door.

surfaces
Theres a dirty mark on the page / table

the front / side/ back
Theres a label in on the box / bottle

left / right
The school is on the left.

Floors
Jims office is on the second floor.

lists / menus
Whats on the menu? Did you buy everything on the list?

roads
I live on Jackson street. The nearest gas station is on the motorway. The post box is on the
way to work.

natural lines and borders
He lives on the coast. London is on the River Thames.

walls, ceilings, doors, floor:
surfaces
the front / side/ back
left / right
Floors
lists / menus
roads

natural lines and borders
At is also used in these situations:
the top / bottom (of a page) Sign your name at the top / bottom.

Directions:
Turn left at the traffic lights / roundabout / end of the street.

Position (next to something)
Wait at the traffic lights / corner / tree.

the front / the back
I wrote my name at the front / back of the book.

the beginning / the end
What happened at the beginning / end of the film?

events
I met him at a party / conference / football match

buildings
Ill meet you at the airport / the station / home

the top / bottom (of a page)

Directions:

Position (next to something)

the front / the back

the beginning / the end

events

buildings
Common mistakes:
1. Some students miss out part of the prepositional phrases.
I live next a small shop. => I live next to a small shop.

I parked the car in front the building. =>
I parked the car in front of the building.
2. Some students add a second preposition where it is not necessary.
Your bag is behind ofthe door.=>



We live in France / in Paris / in Madrid.
Its the highest building in the world.
They have a cottage in the mountains / in a valley.
She works in a bank.
Dont swim in the sea / the river / the lake.
He lives in the middle of Paris / in the city centre.
Which film was that actor in? I read about it in the newspaper.

She hung the picture on the ceiling / the wall / the door.
Theres a dirty mark on the page / table
Theres a label in on the box / bottle
The school is on the left.
Jims office is on the second floor.
Whats on the menu? Did you buy everything on the list?
I live on Jackson street. The nearest gas station is on the motorway. The post box is on the way to work.
He lives on the coast. London is on the River Thames.

Sign your name at the top / bottom.
Turn left at the traffic lights / roundabout / end of the street.
Wait at the traffic lights / corner / tree.
I wrote my name at the front / back of the book.
What happened at the beginning / end of the film?
I met him at a party / conference / football match
Ill meet you at the airport / the station / home

Prepositional phrases of time
at + N (time on clock/break time/ holiday
- Lc 1 gi -> at 1 oclock
- Gi n tra -> at lunch time
In + N ( part of day [morning/ afternoon/evening]
On + N ( day/date)
In + N ( >day [week/month/quarter~season/year/decade/century/millennium ])
Exercise

1. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Ill finish the work in the morning.
We went to Turkey in June.
Lets go the cinema in the weekend. Correct
2. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Im having a party at my birthday. Correct
Ive got a meeting at 10 oclock. Incorrect
I want to go on holiday at New Year. Incorrect
3. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Were going to the theatre on tomorrow night. Correct
Ive got to go to work on Monday.
She was born on 6th December.
4. Which sentence is NOT correct?
I went to university 1996. Correct
I saw James yesterday.
Shall we go out tonight?
5. Which preposition goes in the space?
Were going on holiday _____ spring
in Correct
at
on Incorrect
6. Which preposition goes in the space?
I always have a cup of tea ______ the morning.
on
in Correct
You dont need a preposition here.
7. Complete the sentence.
I saw Derek _________ Friday afternoon.
in
on Correct
in the
8. Complete the sentence.
Were going clubbing _________ tonight.
on Incorrect
You dont need a preposition here. Correct
at Incorrect
9. Which sentence is NOT correct?
Can we visit you at Tuesday? Correct
We always have a cup of coffee at breaktime.
We always visit our relatives at Christmas.
10. Which sentence is NOT correct?
I start college in 30th September. Correct
I left university in 2007.
It rains a lot in summer.
Summary
AT:
Use before:
Times: Were leaving at 3 oclock
Lunchtime / bedtime: Hes arriving at lunchtime.
Night: I cant sleep at night.
The weekend: See you at the weekend!
Festivals: We went away at Easter.
IN:
the morning / afternoon / evening: See you in the morning!
Months: My birthdays in June.
Seasons: We always go on holiday in summer.
Years: He was born in 1996.
ON:
Dates: We arrived here on 4th August.
Days of the week: Lets go to the zoo on Saturday.
Single day events: We always eat out on Christmas Day.
Use ON before a day + morning/ afternoon/ evening/ night. See you on Tuesday night!

Dont use a preposition before: today, tonight, tomorrow, yesterday.