Preposition IN – ON – AT

1. POSITION
2. LOCATION
3. TIME
4. TRANSPORTATION

POSITION

1. We used IN to speak about being inside.

 My phone is in the backpack. (In)
 My husband is waiting in the car. (In)
 I am in a library. (in)

 My laptop is on the table. (on)

 A lamp is on the desk. (on)
 A coffee is on my desk. (on)
 A bird pooded on my head. (on)

We use AT when you are speaking about a location and there’s an activity.

 I did a lot at work (an activity)

 I was at the gym (an activity – exercising)
 My son, he’s at school. (Activity – studying)
 My mom is at the company.
 Yamile’s daughter is at the hospital.

Imagine you say to a friend …

I’ll see you at the café (this could be in or out)
You’ll need to clarify- so you say, I’ll meet you in the café.

LOCATION
1. We used IN for countries.
- I live in Colombia.
2. We used IN for cities.
- My sister is in Paris. We were in Medellin 2 years ago.
3. Neighbourhood/areas
- I grew up in the La Carolina neighborhood.
 4. Directions
- In the north
- In the west
- In the east
- In the south
Where does the sun rise? The sun rises in the East.
5. We use ON for streets and roads.
- There’s a great Italian restaurant on Park Street.
- I used to live on El Amor road.
- I bought my car on Perry street
But if you have a specific address you need to used it. (at)
I live at calle 22 sur # 17- 15 este Urbanizacion la Calorina.
I live at Avenue 22 south # 11-12.

TIME
1. We use IN for centuries. (siglos 100 years) how many years does a
century have? It has 100 years.
- I love reading books set IN the 1800s.
2. Decades (decadas)
- I think music in the 1970s was the best.
3. Years
- I was born IN 1981.
4. Months
- My birthday is un February.
5. Afternoon/morning/evening
- In the afternoon.
- In the morning.
- I must water the plants in the evening.
6. Seasons
- My family always goes on holiday IN summer.
- In autumn, In winter, in spring.
 FUTURE START (IN)
- I’m going on holiday in five days.
- The lesson starts in 20 minutes.
- In six months. I’m moving to New York.

DAY OF THE WEEK (ON)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1. We use ON with phrases with the word (DAY)
- What are you doing ON Hallowing’s Day?
- What do you like doing ON a rainy day?
- I’m going on holiday in five days.
- What are you doing on Mother’s Day?
-
2. Dates
- On the 22nd of February
- On Thursday the 10th.
When is your birthday? My birthday is on 13 of February.
3. Days
- I was so happy ON my birthday.
- We will meet you ON Saturday morning.

We used AT for specific clock time.

https://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewgame.asp?id=17466#a