2015-08-21
535
A. In
Study these examples:
in a room, in a building, in a box, in a garden, in a town/city, in a country
* There's no one in the room/in the building/in the garden.
* What have you got in your hand/in your mouth?
* When we were in Italy, we spent a few days in Venice. (not 'at Venice')
* I have a friend who lives in a small village in the mountains.
* Look at those people swimming in the pool/in the sea/in the river.
B. At
Study these examples:
at the bus stop, at the door, at the window, at the top (of the page), at the bottom (of the page), at the end of the street
* Who is that man standing at the bus stop/at the door/at the window?
* Turn left at the traffic lights/at the church/at the roundabout.
* Write your name at the top/at the bottom of the page.
* Angela's house is the white one at the end of the street.
* When you leave the hotel, please leave your key at reception.
C. On
Study these examples:
on the ceiling, on the wall, on the door, on the table, on her nose, on the floor, on a page
* I sat on the floor/on the ground on the grass/on a chair/on the beach.
* There's a dirty mark on the wall on the ceiling/on your nose/on your shirt.
* Have you seen the notice on the notice board/on the door?
* You'll find details of TV programmes on page seven (of the newspaper).
D. Compare in and at:
* There were a lot of people in the shop. It was very crowded.
but Go along this road, then turn left at the shop. (somebody giving directions) Compare in and on:
* There is some water in the bottle.
but There is a label on the bottle.
Compare at and on:
* There is somebody at the door. Shall I go and see who it is?
but There is a notice on the door. It says 'Do not disturb'.
