Prepositions of Place

Apr 23

In, On, At – What’s the Difference?

Do you ever get confused about whether to say you’re in the building, on the bus, or at the station? You’re not alone! English uses different prepositions to describe location, and each one has its own logic.

Let’s break it all down with easy rules, examples, and visual imagery.

🟢 IN – Inside an Enclosed Space

Use “in” when something is inside a space with limits, like a box, room, or city.

📌 Examples:

The keys are in my bag.
She lives in New York.
I’m in the kitchen.
He works in an office.

✅ Use IN for:

Type of Place Examples Enclosed spaces in a room, in a car, in a box Countries/cities in Brazil, in Chicago Buildings in a store, in a hotel

🧠 Tip: If it has walls, borders, or clear boundaries → use in.

🔵 ON – On a Surface

Use “on” when something is touching a surface—horizontal or vertical.

📌 Examples:

The phone is on the table.
There’s a picture on the wall.
I saw it on TV.
She’s on the bus.

✅ Use ON for:

Type of Place Examples Surfaces on the floor, on the desk Technology/media on the screen, on the internet Public transport on the train, on a plane

🧠 Tip: If it’s sitting on top or attached to something → use on.

🔴 AT – A Point or General Location

Use “at” to talk about a specific point or place where something happens. It doesn’t focus on whether something is inside or on something, just where it is.

📌 Examples:

I’m at the door.
Let’s meet at the bus stop.
She’s at work.
We’re at the restaurant.

✅ Use AT for:

Type of Place Examples Specific points at the corner, at the entrance Events/locations at school, at a concert Addresses (without a number) at Main Street

🧠 Tip: Use at when the location is more important than the position.