A comprehensive lesson on the prepositions of place AT, IN, and ON, including examples and meanings for ESL and TEFL learners.

 

 

Understanding Prepositions of Place: AT, IN, ON

Prepositions of place are essential in English as they help to describe the location of objects, people, or events. The prepositions "at," "in," and "on" are commonly used to indicate various spatial relationships. Each of these prepositions has specific uses and can be a bit tricky for learners to master. This lesson will provide you with a clear understanding of how to use these prepositions correctly with plenty of examples to illustrate their meanings.

By the end of this lesson, learners will understand how to:

  • Use "at" to indicate specific points or locations.
  • Use "in" to describe enclosed or three-dimensional spaces.
  • Use "on" to refer to surfaces or areas.

This lesson is designed to be beginner-friendly, using simple language and practical examples to ensure comprehension. Let’s explore the useful vocabulary and practical applications of the prepositions "at," "in," and "on."

Useful Vocabulary for Prepositions of Place

AT - Indicating a Specific Point or Location

  1. "At the door"

    • Refers to the specific location of being at the entrance.
    • Example: "She is standing at the door waiting for you."
  2. "At the crossroads"

    • Indicates a specific point where roads intersect.
    • Example: "Turn left at the crossroads."
  3. "At the traffic light"

    • Refers to the location near a traffic signal.
    • Example: "Meet me at the traffic light on Main Street."
  4. "At the top of the stairs"

    • Indicates the location at the highest point of the stairs.
    • Example: "You'll find the room at the top of the stairs."
  5. "At the bottom of the page"

    • Refers to the lowest part of the page.
    • Example: "Please sign your name at the bottom of the page."
  6. "At the end of the street"

    • Indicates the location at the farthest point of the street.
    • Example: "There's a park at the end of the street."
  7. "At a party"

    • Refers to being present at a social gathering.
    • Example: "I met him at a party last weekend."
  8. "At a concert"

    • Indicates attendance at a musical performance.
    • Example: "We had a great time at the concert."
  9. "At school"

    • Refers to the location within a school.
    • Example: "The children are at school right now."
  10. "At work"

    • Indicates being present at one's workplace.
    • Example: "She is currently at work and cannot take personal calls."

IN - Describing Enclosed or Three-Dimensional Spaces

  1. "In the bag"

    • Refers to something located inside a bag.
    • Example: "The keys are in the bag on the table."
  2. "In the classroom"

    • Indicates being inside a classroom.
    • Example: "The students are in the classroom."
  3. "In a box"

    • Refers to something enclosed within a box.
    • Example: "The toys are in a box in the attic."
  4. "In a car"

    • Indicates being inside a car.
    • Example: "We are waiting in the car for you."
  5. "In a van"

    • Refers to being inside a van.
    • Example: "The equipment is stored in the van."
  6. "In London"

    • Indicates being within the city of London.
    • Example: "She lives in London."
  7. "In Europe"

    • Refers to being within the continent of Europe.
    • Example: "They are traveling in Europe this summer."
  8. "In the Alps"

    • Indicates being within the Alpine mountain range.
    • Example: "We went skiing in the Alps."
  9. "In the sea"

    • Refers to being within the sea.
    • Example: "We swam in the sea during our holiday."
  10. "In a river"

    • Indicates being within a river.
    • Example: "The fish live in the river."
  11. "In a lake"

    • Refers to being within a lake.
    • Example: "They went fishing in the lake."
  12. "In the swimming pool"

    • Indicates being within a swimming pool.
    • Example: "The kids are playing in the swimming pool."
  13. "In a book"

    • Refers to something contained within a book.
    • Example: "I read about it in a book."
  14. "In a picture"

    • Indicates being depicted within a picture.
    • Example: "Can you see the cat in the picture?"
  15. "In the newspaper"

    • Refers to something published within a newspaper.
    • Example: "I saw the article in the newspaper."

ON - Referring to Surfaces or Areas

  1. "On the table"

    • Refers to something located on the surface of a table.
    • Example: "The vase is on the table."
  2. "On the carpet"

    • Indicates something placed on a carpet.
    • Example: "The cat is sleeping on the carpet."
  3. "On the roof"

    • Refers to something located on the top surface of a building.
    • Example: "The birds are perched on the roof."
  4. "On the sofa"

    • Indicates something resting on a sofa.
    • Example: "She left her book on the sofa."
  5. "On the first floor"

    • Refers to the location on the first level of a building.
    • Example: "Our office is on the first floor."
  6. "On the fifth floor"

    • Indicates being on the fifth level of a building.
    • Example: "They live on the fifth floor."
  7. "On the right"

    • Refers to something located on the right side.
    • Example: "The shop is on the right."
  8. "On the left"

    • Indicates something situated on the left side.
    • Example: "The bank is on the left."
  9. "On the bus"

    • Refers to being on a bus.
    • Example: "She is on the bus to the city centre."
  10. "On the train"

    • Indicates being on a train.
    • Example: "We are traveling on the train to Manchester."
  11. "On a plane"

    • Refers to being on an aircraft.
    • Example: "He is flying on a plane to New York."
  12. "On the radio"

    • Indicates something broadcasted via radio.
    • Example: "I heard the news on the radio."
  13. "On TV"

    • Refers to something being shown on television.
    • Example: "The documentary is on TV tonight."
  14. "On the Internet"

    • Indicates something available online.
    • Example: "I found the information on the Internet."
  15. "On a website"

    • Refers to content located on a website.
    • Example: "You can read the article on the website."

40 More Examples Of Prepositions Of Place

 

AT - Indicating a Specific Point or Location

  1. "At the airport"

    • Refers to the location of being at the airport.
    • Example: "I'll meet you at the airport."
  2. "At the bus stop"

    • Indicates a specific point where buses stop.
    • Example: "He's waiting at the bus stop."
  3. "At the train station"

    • Refers to being at the train station.
    • Example: "We arrived at the train station early."
  4. "At the entrance"

    • Indicates a specific point of entry.
    • Example: "I'll be waiting at the entrance."
  5. "At the checkout"

    • Refers to being at the point where purchases are paid for.
    • Example: "She is standing at the checkout."
  6. "At the front"

    • Indicates being at the forward-facing side.
    • Example: "We are sitting at the front of the theatre."
  7. "At the back"

    • Refers to the rear side of something.
    • Example: "The garden is at the back of the house."
  8. "At the office"

    • Indicates being present at one's workplace.
    • Example: "He is at the office until 5 PM."
  9. "At the beach"

    • Refers to the specific location of the beach.
    • Example: "They are spending the day at the beach."
  10. "At the hospital"

    • Indicates being present at a hospital.
    • Example: "She is visiting a friend at the hospital."

IN - Describing Enclosed or Three-Dimensional Spaces

  1. "In the garden"

    • Refers to being within the garden.
    • Example: "The children are playing in the garden."
  2. "In the office"

    • Indicates being inside the office.
    • Example: "She is working in the office today."
  3. "In the kitchen"

    • Refers to being within the kitchen.
    • Example: "He is cooking in the kitchen."
  4. "In the living room"

    • Indicates being inside the living room.
    • Example: "We are watching TV in the living room."
  5. "In a hotel"

    • Refers to being inside a hotel.
    • Example: "They are staying in a hotel during their trip."
  6. "In the garage"

    • Indicates being inside the garage.
    • Example: "The car is parked in the garage."
  7. "In a factory"

    • Refers to being within a factory.
    • Example: "He works in a factory."
  8. "In the attic"

    • Indicates being within the attic.
    • Example: "They found old photos in the attic."
  9. "In the basement"

    • Refers to being inside the basement.
    • Example: "The laundry room is in the basement."
  10. "In the hall"

    • Indicates being within the hallway or corridor.
    • Example: "The guests are waiting in the hall."
  11. "In the park"

    • Refers to being within the park.
    • Example: "They had a picnic in the park."
  12. "In the city centre"

    • Indicates being within the central area of a city.
    • Example: "The hotel is located in the city centre."
  13. "In the countryside"

    • Refers to being within a rural area.
    • Example: "They live in the countryside."
  14. "In a tent"

    • Indicates being inside a tent.
    • Example: "We slept in a tent during the camping trip."
  15. "In a museum"

    • Refers to being within a museum.
    • Example: "There are many interesting exhibits in the museum."
  16. "In the library"

    • Indicates being inside the library.
    • Example: "She is studying in the library."
  17. "In the theatre"

    • Refers to being within a theatre.
    • Example: "The play is being performed in the theatre."
  18. "In the shop"

    • Indicates being inside a shop.
    • Example: "They are shopping in the shop."
  19. "In the bank"

    • Refers to being inside a bank.
    • Example: "He is making a deposit in the bank."
  20. "In the bedroom"

    • Indicates being within the bedroom.
    • Example: "She is reading in the bedroom."

ON - Referring to Surfaces or Areas

  1. "On the wall"

    • Refers to something attached to a wall.
    • Example: "The picture is hanging on the wall."
  2. "On the floor"

    • Indicates something lying on the floor.
    • Example: "There is a rug on the floor."
  3. "On the street"

    • Refers to something located on the street.
    • Example: "We parked the car on the street."
  4. "On the ceiling"

    • Indicates something attached to the ceiling.
    • Example: "There is a chandelier on the ceiling."
  5. "On the shelf"

    • Refers to something placed on a shelf.
    • Example: "The books are on the shelf."
  6. "On the balcony"

    • Indicates being on the surface of a balcony.
    • Example: "They are having breakfast on the balcony."
  7. "On the board"

    • Refers to something written or placed on a board.
    • Example: "The teacher wrote the assignment on the board."
  8. "On the map"

    • Indicates a location shown on a map.
    • Example: "You can find the location on the map."
  9. "On the computer"

    • Refers to something displayed on a computer.
    • Example: "The data is stored on the computer."
  10. "On the phone"

    • Indicates being engaged in a phone conversation.
    • Example: "She is talking to her friend on the phone."

Summary and Takeaways

Exercises to Practise Alone

To practice these prepositions alone, try describing the location of various objects around you using "at," "in," and "on." For example, describe where your books are (e.g., "The books are on the shelf.") or where you live (e.g., "I live in London."). Write sentences to reinforce the correct usage of these prepositions.

Lesson Summary

This lesson focused on the prepositions of place "at," "in," and "on," providing learners with practical examples and detailed meanings for each preposition. From understanding "at" for specific points, "in" for enclosed spaces, and "on" for surfaces, learners gained a comprehensive understanding of how to use these prepositions correctly.

What Learners Gained

Learners gained a clear understanding of the different contexts in which to use "at," "in," and "on." This knowledge is essential for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences in English, thereby improving both written and spoken communication.

Key Phrases Learnt

Key phrases learners should remember include "at the door," "in the bag," and "on the table." These phrases will help learners describe locations accurately in everyday conversations.

Tips for Remembering

To retain these phrases, practice regularly by describing locations around you and using prepositions in sentences. Creating flashcards with the prepositions and their uses can also be helpful. Engaging in conversations with friends or language partners will further reinforce your learning.

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