Learning Objective: This is a grammar class. At the end of the session, the students are expected to be able to differentiate the prepositions in, on and at by using them effectively in sentences. And also they should be able to answer the following exercise correctly.



How do we use in, on and at in sentences?


Some guidelines for using In, On and At

1. Use "in" for spaces with limitations. Use "in" for enclosed areas.
example: in his room

2. Use "on" for surface. Use on for spaces within a larger area.
example: on the table

3. Use "at" for locations.
example: at the corner


---This applies to both physical space and time.

4. Use "on" with: street names, days of the week, dates, specific time frames, holidays.
examples: on V. Mapa Street, on Monday, on May 16, 1982, on Christmas day

5. Use "in" with: names of cities, towns, states, provinces, countries; years, months, specific weeks, larger comfortable chairs.
examples: in Manila, in Florida, in Japan, in 1999, in September, in the next two weeks

6. Use "at" with: street names and numbers, specific times, locations that are not in view when speaking, at a table.
examples: at 4730 Old Sta. Mesa St.., Sta. Mesa, Manila, at 12:00 noon, at the traffic light

note: in the house, at home
note: at Joe's house


Exercise Proper

Directions: Read each sentence carefully. Choose the best preposition (in, on, at) that would complete the sentences.


1. It gets very cold ___ winter.

2. Betty doesn't have a job ___ the moment.

3. The telephone and the doorbell rang ___ the same time.

4. He flew from Japan. He's probably ___ Perth now.

5. Would you like to go out to dinner ___ Friday night?

6. She was tired. She's ___ bed now.

7. Goodbye! I'll see you ___ the morning.

8. Were you ___ Tom's party last night?

9. I'll see you ___ two weeks time.

10. She was born ___ 1961.

11. The doctor will see you ___ 10:00.

12. ___ the age of ten I wanted to be a firefighter.

13. My wife gave me a wonderful present ___ my birthday.

14. The coffee is ___ the shelf.

15. My eraser is ___ my pencil case.