Unit Social Settings. Lesson Meet New People (speaking)

Use This To Refer To	in	at
on
A point that is inside a room or other enclosure.	There are two beds in the bedroom.
A place that is as large as a town, or larger. Use with certain verbs.	Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492.
A point in a general area, or very near a general area. It does not have the idea of being enclosed.		I’ll meet you at the restaurant.
A place that is smaller than a town. Used with some verbs.		We arrived at Jack’s office before noon.
The point where one thing comes in contact with the surface of another.			Put the dishes on the table, please.

You use the prepositions in, on and at somewhat differently with the word home, the word home is special.

The use of home without any preposition is very frequent and is correct with a verb of motion, as in these sentences:

I’m going home. (not to home)

Please take me home. (not to home)

They drove home slowly after the concert. (not to home)

Use the phrase at home with the verb to be – and other verbs that do not show action, such as to stay – to indicate someone’s location:

My mother isn’t at home right now.

I’ll be at home until 10:00. After that, I’ll be at the mall.

Sean was in the hospital, but now he’s recovering at home.

You can use only home, without at, to indicate the same idea as above. This is more informal. Therefore, the sentences above can also be:

My mother isn’t home right now.

I’ll be home until 10:00. After that, I’ll be at the mall.

Sean was in the hospital, but now he’s home recovering.

Sometimes more than one preposition is possible in a phrase:

There was an accident on/at the corner of Maple Street and First Avenue.

Allen is studying French in/at school.

Jack was so nervous that he fainted at/in dentist’s office.

Prepositions are often confusing and illogical, but don’t get discouraged!

Find the Grammar:

1) There are 8 examples of at to indicate location in this reading. How many did you find???

2) In this reading there are 11 examples of in to indicate location. How many did you find???

3) There is an idiomatic use of on to indicate place in this reading. It appears twice.

Can you find both instances???

4) In this reading there is an example of home without a preposition. Can you find it???

5) Finally, there is an example of at home in this reading. Can you find it???