Language/English/Vocabulary/How-to-use-ON,-AT-and-IN

ON

to describe two or more objects contacting/touching each other.

• The painting is on the wall = the painting and the wall are contacting/touching each other.

AT

for a specific location.

• I’m at home = my specific location is ”home”.

IN

something/someone is surrounded by something.

• I am in the room = the walls of the room surround me.

• She is in London = the buildings and other features of London such as streets and The Thames River surround her.

Use AT or IN

Sometimes, it’s possible to use more than one,

• e.g. I’m at the sea = my location is the seaside.

• I’m in the sea = I’m swimming. There is seawater surrounding me.

or

• I’m at Central Square = my location is a place called ”Central Square”.

• I’m in Central Square = The features of the location ”Central Square” surround me such as lawns, trees and park benches.

British English tends to use ”at Central Square” more often whereas ”in Central Square” is more frequently used when speaking American English. Why? My observations as a neutral Australian are that location is more important for British English speakers while defining the surroundings is more for Americans.

Use ON, AT or IN

It’s possible to use all three prepositions at once:

• My carpet is on the floor in the living room at my parents’ place = my carpet and the floor touch each other

• the walls of the living room surround my carpet and the wall

• my carpet, the floor and the living room have the location ”my parents’ place”.

Author

https://polyglotclub.com/member/AussieInBg

Source

https://polyglotclub.com/language/english/question/35312