At, in, on – prepositions of place
At
at a point
We use at to refer to a point near something.
Can you see that car at the traffic light? (=The car is at a point near the traffic light)
Who is that man at the door. (=The man is at a point near the door)
at the top of/at the bottom of/at the end of
We use at in the expressions at the top of, at the bottom of and at the end of.
She is at the top of the stairs.
Please, sign at the bottom of the page.
The new café is at the end of the street.
Group activities
We use at to refer to group activities like parties, concerts, and other events.
We were at the cinema.
I didn’t see you at Jackie’s party.
We met at the concert.
at + school/university/college
We normally use it at school, university and college.
He is at school every morning until 12.
I’m studying at Oxford University.
be at home/work
We say be at home/at work (without the)
She’s at home.
I’ll be at work all morning.
at the shop
We use at to refer to shops, restaurants, cafés, etc.
I’m at the bakery.
If you are at the chemist’s, can you buy some aspirins?
In
in a 3D space
We use in to refer to a position inside of a three-dimensional space.
The book is in the bag.
She is waiting in the classroom.
We also use in for areas that have limits or boundaries, like continents, countries, cities, regions, etc.
We are in France.
I love the houses in the Alps.
in a car
We use in for cars and vans.
They are in the car.
in the water
We also use in when something is in the water: in the sea, in the river, in the swimming pool, etc.
The kids have fun in the swimming pool.
in a picture, in a book
We also use in for things that are printed in books, pictures, documents, etc.
Who’s that woman in the picture?
Does it say anything about the concert in the newspaper?
On
on a surface
We use on to refer to a position on a surface.
The book is on the table.
on the first/second/etc. floor
We use on to refer to floors in a building.
The office is on the third floor.
on the right/left
We use on in the expressions on the right and on the left.
The office is on the third floor on the left.
on the bus/train/plane
We use on when we are using public transport: on the bus, on a train, on a plane, etc.
She’s on the bus right now.
on TV/the radio/the Internet/a website
We use on when we read, see or learn something on the media.
I saw it on TV last night.