How to use prepositions in English: In, On, At, …

Simple Uses of At, On, and In

In summary:

• At is used for a specific place or time. Example: at the bus stop, at 6 pm.
• On is used for contact with a horizontal or vertical surface. Example: on the table, on the wall.
• In is used for the inside of a closed or defined space. Example: in the room, in the box.

How to use the Preposition in in English

Usage	Example	Audio
To say something is inside something else.	She sleeps in her bedroom.
Before the names of months.	Winter comes in December.
Before years, decades, or historical periods.	He was born in 1975.
Before the names of seasons.	I like when it snows in winter.
To express a duration.	He’ll be ready in 20 minutes.
To indicate a general location.	I like shopping in Regent Street in London.
To indicate a country, city, or neighborhood.	I live in Chicago.
To describe size, color, or shape.	This jacket comes in three different sizes.

How to use the preposition at in English

Usage	Example	Audio
To give a specific time.	You have to come at 3 pm.
To talk about a specific time of day.	Please come at noon.
To indicate a specific location.	I just arrived at the hotel.
To give an address.	I live at 345 Fake Street.
To give an email address.	You can write to me at info@gmail.com.

How to use the preposition on in English

Usage	Example	Audio
Before the names of days.	My Yoga class is on Monday
To give a date.	We’re meeting on January the 4th.
To indicate something on another.	The glass is on the table.
To refer to a body part.	He’s got a bruise on his forehead.
To talk about using a device.	She’s writing on his computer.

Table of Prepositions of Place in English

Preposition	Explanation	Audio
through	Moving from one side to the other of something.
up	Direction towards a higher point. (Be careful, up changes the meaning of the verb).
down	Direction towards a lower point (can change the meaning of the verb).
above	Positioned higher than something else.
under	Positioned below or beneath something.
beneath	Positioned lower or underneath.
over	On top of or covering something.
below	Positioned lower than something else.
in front of	Positioned ahead or facing something.
between	Positioned in the space separating two things.
near	Close in distance.
close to	Near or in proximity to something.
against	In contact with something in opposition.
across	From one side to the other of something (can change the meaning of the verb).
inside	Within the boundaries of something.
outside	On the exterior of something.
within	Inside the limits of something.
beside	Next to or at the side of something.
toward / towards	In the direction of something.
alongside	Next to or parallel with something.
far from	Distant from something.
off	Away from (can change verb meaning).
from	Indicating the point of origin.
onto	Movement towards a surface or position.
round	Around something.
via	Through or by way of a place.
along	Following the length of something.
by	Close to or next to something.
opposite	Positioned directly across from something.

Table of Prepositions of Time in English

Preposition	Explanation	Audio
for	Used with duration (non-finished action with present perfect).
since	Used with a starting point in time (specific date).
before	Refers to an earlier time or event.
after	Refers to a later time or event.
during	Indicates a period of time within an event.
within	Indicates a time limit (by or inside a specific time).
ago	Refers to a point in the past (used with past tense).
by	Refers to a deadline (before or no later than a certain time).
from … until	Indicates the start and end time of an event.
still	Refers to something continuing up to the present time.
already	Refers to something happening earlier than expected.
yet	Used with present perfect to indicate something that hasn’t happened but is expected.

Table of Prepositions of Manner in English

Preposition	Explanation	Audio
apart from	Used to exclude something from a statement.
about	Refers to the subject or focus of a conversation or action.
amid	Indicates being in the middle of a situation or event.
among / amongst	Refers to being surrounded by multiple people or things.
despite	Expresses doing something even though there is an obstacle.
except	Used to leave someone or something out of a group or action.
unlike	Highlights a contrast between two people, things, or ideas.
according to	Indicates information coming from a source or authority.
because of	Provides the reason or cause for something.
due to	Explains the cause or reason for an event or situation.
instead of	Refers to choosing one option over another.au lieu de
as far as	dans la mesure où, en ce qui me concerne : pour donner son opinion dans une argumentation
in addition to	Refers to something extra or added to an existing situation.
in spite of	Describes doing something regardless of challenges or obstacles.
on behalf of	Refers to representing or acting for another person or group.
on top of	Refers to something additional, often unexpected or burdensome.

3 questions about at, in and on

1. I arrived … the Four Seasons … New York … 7:00 pm.
2. They arrived … Boston… winter.
3. She arrived … JFK airport … Monday.