Look at these examples to see how we use these prepositions.
Please put the book on the shelf.
They live in Helsinki.
You should keep milk in the fridge.
Mette is studying at the library.
Try this exercise to test your grammar.
- Grammar test 1
Read the explanation to learn more.
Grammar explanation
We can use the prepositions in, on and at to say where things are. They go before nouns.
I am in the kitchen.
My dog likes sleeping on the sofa.
The children eat lunch at school.
in
We use in to talk about a place that is inside a bigger space, such as a box, a house, a city or a country.
The clothes are in the wardrobe.
The children are playing in the park.
There's a bookshop in the shopping centre.
My grandmother was born in Sweden.
We also use in with other physical locations such as:
in the world
in water / the sea / a river / a lake / a pool
in the mountains / the countryside / a valley / the forest
in a car / a taxi
on
We use on to talk about location on a surface.
The books are on the desk.
We live on the fifth floor.
There are pictures on the wall.
She likes to sit on the floor.
We also use on for some types of public transport.
He's on the bus now.
You can't make phone calls on a plane.
They go to school on the train.
We also use on for lines (including rivers, borders, streets, etc.) and islands.
London is on the River Thames.
The Pyrenees are on the border of Spain and France.
There's a market on James Street.
I'd love to live on the Isle of Wight.
at
We use at in many common phrases, especially when we are talking about a place for a specific activity.
I'm at work.
She's working at home today.
The children are at school.
See you at the train station!
They're at the supermarket.
I met him at a party.
We also use at for addresses or exact positions.
I live at 15 Craig Street.
She's sitting at a desk.
He's waiting at the entrance.
Please sit at the back of the room.
Do this exercise to test your grammar again.
- Grammar test 2
so nice
Hello teachers,
I would be grateful if you could help me with the below.
(1) There are two libraries IN my school.
(2) There is a food court IN this mall.
I am quite sure we can use "in" for the above two.
But is "at" an equally suitable preposition for no. (1) and (2) above?
(3) I used "is" just after "But" in the sentence just before this.
I know that the word "would" would be a right word to use there; I am just curious as to whether my using "is" there is also correct in that context ( in standard English ) . Thank you.
Hello Yornis,
Yes, both prepositions are possible though I think 'in' is better in each case as it more precisely describes the location (inside the building). 'At' tends to have a more general meaning of 'close to' or 'in the same area as'.
Yes, both forms are possible here.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you.
Hello teachers,
I would be grateful if your could help me with the below:
(1) I work at/in a school. (Which preposition is correct here?)
(2) There is a football field at/in my school.(Which preposition is correct here? )
Thanks
Hello Yornis,
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you.
Hi.
I'm a litlle confused.
In the lesson explain:
"We also use in with other physical locations such as:
Adriana
Hello Adriana,
When we talk about physical locations, in the lake means getting wet while by the lake or on the lake means next to it. Since the cabin is probably not under the water you need on the lake here.
You can swim in the lake but you stay in a cabin/hotel etc on the lake or by the lake.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
I also want to know about this question. Thank you so much.