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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #112743: At - In - On (continued)
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: Speaking | Frequent mistakes | Prepositions [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Placement test beginners: Check your spelling - Past simple or present perfect - Vocabulary: greeting people - Adjectives and prepositions - Vocabulary: on the phone - On the phone - Interacting with someone - Although / in spite of / despite
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    At - In - On (continued)


     

    As we already saw in test  test  AT, IN, ON are  prepositions indicating a place or a time. How can we distinguish them and know which one to use in varied circumstances?

    1)   - AT is a preposition indicating precise location where people are, stand: some public places, shops, and precise addresses.  

     - At the park - at the police-station - at Selfridge's - at 9 Main Street... 

    The preposition AT is also used to describe precise moments, hours and moments, the timeand particular precise days .

    - at noon - at Christmas - at 10 o'clock - 

     - AT is also used in some set expressions: 

     at ease at the beginning
     at risk  at once 
     at best  at worst
     at first at last 
     be good at + V-ing  be bad at + V-ing 

    AT is also very often used (especially with such verbs as shoot ( I shot, shot) and throw (I threw, thrown), in order to express aggressiveness or a hostile intention. 

    - The naughty boy was throwing stones at birds to scare them. 

     

                                                                                         

     

    )   IN (expressing a location) is used when an element is situated in a closed or restricted location that has limits, in waiting lines, or when speaking about documents, etc. If a movement is added, use  into. (Tom came into the room).

    - in the kitchen - in a line - in this picture - in your letter...

    IN also expresses time in front of  months: in June, in front of the different seasons in summer, with precise moments of the dayin the afternoon.

     

    IN is also used in a few set expressions: 

     all in all  in sight
     in any case to be in 
     in my opinion  in many respects 

     

     3) ON is used to express time, preceding the days of the week, or precise dates.

    - On Monday - on the 6th of April - On Christmas Day...

    -     a location, or place is expressed using  ON,  meaning that an element is placed on a surface. If a movement is simultaneous, use onto. 

     - On the table - on his bed - on your head...(the cat jumped onto the bed.)


    -
     ON is used in some set expressions

     on the one hand ...=> on the other hand...
     on and off on duty

     

    4) A FEW ODDITIES

    - Hospital  and university= AT hospital / IN hospital and AT University/ IN University (depending on the context). 

    - He arrived at the hospital just as his mother was admitted in it. 

    - I'm studying for a PhD at the university. / The monument is in the university. 

    A few vehicules may be real traitors. You travel IN a car, but ON a busON an airplaneIN a canoe, yet ON a cruise ship... Let's be very careful...

     

                                                            

     

    Here you are!   Of course, there is a certain logic which will help you, but let's admit that quite a great number of expressions should be learnt by heart, in this tricky lesson! Not funny, is it? (Don't forget to revise lesson 112723! )   But when you know the expressions well, you can't be mistaken! Good luck!   I'm sure you'll do great!     

      There are 20 items   in this exercise (thus being equal to two!!)  PLEASE, do not hesitate to take a rest and a breath in the middle... Don't forget to save your work!                 



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    1. When was Claire born? Was it November or December? It was December, more precisely, the 27th of December. Oh yes, I remember... it was a Monday night... but what year? 2012, of course, Mom, she 'll be 4 a few months. , we're the same age.

    2. Can you see Claire this picture? No, not of the picture, Mom. She's the first row, sitting a bench. Can you see Charlie? He's the left, the third row, standing a bench, and I'm the middle, just standing. Our teacher is the right, the first row ... I love this picture...








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