The prepositions in, on and at are used to show place or position. Use in with large areas such as big cities, countries or continents.
- My sister lives in Sydney.
- She spent her childhood in Australia.
Use at with relatively smaller places.
- I met her at the library.
- There is an interesting film at the theatre.
- He studies at Cambridge.
Note that this distinction between at and in is not very important, and people often use in with smaller places too.
Use on to talk about position on a line.
- London is on the river Thames.
- The post office is on the left.
Use to to show direction.
- He went to the market.
Some expressions like home do not take a preposition.
- Let’s go home. (NOT Let’s go to home.)
Exercise
Complete the following sentences using at, on, in or to.
1. I’m not feeling very well. I think I should go ………………….. home. (at / to / no preposition)
2. I work ………………….. a bank. (at / on / to)
3. I went …………………… .. my friend’s house yesterday. (to / in / at)
4. We reached ……………………… the station after the train left. (at / to / in)
5. She is a stay ………………….. home mom. (at / in / no preposition)
Answers
1. No preposition. I think I should go home.
2. I work at a bank.
3. I went to my friend’s house yesterday.
4. No preposition. We reached the station after the train left.
5. She is a stay at home mom.
