Last week I wrote about using in, at or on to describe times. This week, I’ve got some advice on how to use these words to talk about places. Is it in the cinema or at the cinema? In Paris or at Paris? In the train or on the train? Read on for answers to these questions and more.

In

We use in to talk about:

• closed spaces
  • The laptop is in my office.
  • The car is in the garage.
  • They are in the kitchen.
• cities, regions, countries
  • They live in Norway.
  • The concert is in Glasgow.
  • She works in the Midlands.

At

We say at when we describe:

• specific points and locations
  • Let’s meet at the front door.
  • I’m at the station.
  • He’s at the cinema.
• addresses
  • I live at 14 Long Lane.
  • The company is at 17 Regent Street.
  • Is the restaurant at 8 Market Square?

On

On is used to talk about:

• floors in buildings
  • I live on the second floor.
  • Our hotel room was on the ground floor.
  • The office is on the top floor.
• a surface
  • The picture is on the wall.
  • The book is on the table.
  • My bag is on the floor.
• roads
  • The office is on Station Road.
  • The school is on the ring road.
  • There is a traffic jam on the A47.
• other ‘long’ places
  • There is a bench on the path.
  • We sat on the riverbank.
  • We walked on the beach.

Exceptions and extra trips

• on the train or in the train?
  • Both! British English speakers say on the train and American English speakers say in the train, so both are possible.
    • I was on the train when you called me.
    • I was in the train when you called me.
• in the cinema or at the weekend?
  • If we talk about generally being at a location, we use at.
    • My son’s at the cinema.
    • I’m at the office.
    • We’re at the hotel.
  • If we want to stress that we are inside that place, we can use in.
    • My son’s in the cinema, but I’m waiting outside.
    • I’m in the office; I’m not in the car park.
    • We’re in the hotel, so the rain isn’t a problem.

---

Do you have any other questions about using in, at and on? Or do you have some more tips? Leave them in the comments below!