In/at/on (place) (1)

In/at/on (place) (1)

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'.