Prepositions of place: In, on, at — Explanation

With simple A1 grammar explanations and interactive exercises, you can learn how to use English prepositions of place (in, on, at) easily.

Prepositions of place: In, on, at

Prepositions of place tell us where something or someone is located. We talk about places or positions a lot with the words "in," "on," and "at." Let's look at how each one is used!

IN - Inside or within a space

We use "in" when something is inside a room, space, city, or country.

Examples:

• The cat is in the box.
• My phone is in my bag.
• She lives in London.
• There are apples in the fridge.

Tip: Use in for something surrounded by walls or borders.

ON – On a surface or a line

We use on when something is touching or resting on a surface.

Examples:

• The book is on the table.
• There is a picture on the wall.
• The cat is on the roof.
• The shop is on Main Street.

Tip: Use on for surfaces like tables, walls, and floors — or for streets.

AT – At a point or specific place

We use at to point to a specific point or place.

Examples:

• She’s at the bus stop.
• They are at home.
• Let’s meet at the restaurant.
• He’s at the corner of the street.

Tip: Use at when you think of a point or address, not a big area.

Quick Summary Table

Preposition	Use for	Example
in	Inside an area or space	She is in the kitchen.
on	On a surface	The pen is on the desk.
at	A point or place	He’s at the door