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Testing |
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Guides and Tips |
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Programs and Services |
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A solid understanding of prepositions is required before proceeding further. |
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In general, we use:
- at for a POINT
- in for an ENCLOSED SPACE
- on for a SURFACE
| At : Point |
In : Enclosed Space |
On : Surface |
at the corner
- He'll be waiting for us at the corner. |
in the backyard
- We had a barbeque in the backyard. |
on the wall
- They should hand some pictures on the wall. |
at the crosswalk
- You should always stop and look both ways at the crosswalk. |
in Canada
- They were born in Canada. |
on the menu
- Are there any vegetarian option on the menu? |
at the front door
- I heard a knock at the front door. |
in your pockets
- Do you have any spare change in your pockets? |
on a page
- Could you please print your report on a separate page? |
at the bottom of the page
- Make sure to include page numbers at the bottom of the page. |
in a school
- My mom teaches English in a school in Montreal. |
on the cover
- It's the book with the dog on the cover. |
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Prepositions of location IN and AT
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In some situations it is more difficult to decide between using in or at.
For example:
Do you work in a bank or at a bank?
When talking about location, at refers to the general vicinity or area, while in is used to indicate a location and include the area (inside).
Examples:
Sarah works at the hospital as a nurse. (general)
John was in the hospital for a week after the car accident. (specific)
I'll meet you at the post office. (general)
I found a wallet in the post office. (building)
I swim at the school pool. (general)
I swim in the school pool. (specific)
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Additional Details
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When talking about locations, use at to indicate the general vicinity or area, and in to indicate inside the building, enclosed area, etc. For example:
at the swimming pool (on site)
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in the swimming pool
(in the pool itself i.e. in the water)
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at the post office/bank (general)
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in the post office/bank
(inside the building)
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at the zoo (visitors, general area)
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in the zoo (animals in their cages)
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| at school |
in the classroom |
Sample sentences:
- I met my wife at the theater. (while watching a movie)
- I spilled my drink in the theater (on the floor of the building)
- She works at the library on Wednesdays.
- She found a rare coin in the library (building).
- Dr. Jones works at the hospital every day.
- John was in the hospital for a week with a broken leg.
For school, prison, and church, the is used to indicate the building. No article indicates the general situation. Note the following:
| "practice"/situation |
building |
in school
(studying, listening to teacher, etc.)
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in the school (building) |
in jail/prison (staying there as a criminal)
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in the jail/prison (temporary) |
in church
(praying, listening to a sermon, etc.) |
in the church (building) |
Where's Dad?
in church (attending services)
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in the church (fixing the windows) |
at church
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at the church |
| in prison (He committed a crime.) |
at the prison (visiting his friend) |
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Exercises
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Gap Fill Exercises |
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Correct the Text |
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821 Sainte-Croix, Montréal, Québec Canada H4L 3X9 
514.744.7500 
514.744.7505
