English 24
21th June 2003
A little bit of GRAMMAR

Hi guys!
This week we covered the prepositions of position: in, at and on.
We usually use at with events. For example: at a party; at a conference; at a concert; at the theatre; at a football match.
§ Were you at Sarah's party last night?
§ I saw Jim at the Stones' concert last week

We also use at with the following:
at home at the station
at work at the airport
at school at the seaside
at university at sea (a sailor is usually at sea; on voyage)

We use in with the following:
in bed
in hospital
in prison

but we say "on a farm"

§ I'm usually at work until 7pm. But my wife's at home all evening. (not at the work or at the home)
§ Joanne is still at school but she'll be leaving next year. (not at the home)
§ Tom is studying economics at Manchester University. (Not at the Manchester university)
§ My mother grew up on a farm in Ireland.
§ My next-door neighbour is in hospital. (Not in the or in a hospital)
§ The criminal is in prison. (Not in the prison)

We often use in or at with buildings. For example you can stay in a hotel or at a hotel, you can eat in a restaurant or at a restaurant.

We usually use at when we say where an event takes place.
E.g. We went to see a ballet at the Royal Opera House
The wedding reception was at a beautiful restaurant.
We were at the cinema/at the theatre last week.
We also say we were at someone's house:
§ I was at Francesca's house last night
§ I was at Francesca's place or just "I was at Francesca's"

Although we use in when we are thinking about the building itself:
§ The film was good but we couldn't enjoy it, as it was terribly hot in the cinema.
§ The bedrooms in our bed and breakfast were very small.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1
Complete the following sentences by inserting in, at or on with one of the words or phrases below.
school hospital Shakespeare's Globe Theatre sea bed prison the airport the football stadium work home

1. The Birmingham 6 and the Guildford 4 were ________ for crimes they didn't commit.
2. My flight gets in at 11.30. Can you meet me ______ around 11.45?
3. Joanne had many friends when she was _____
4. I saw Twelfth Night _________ when I was staying with my brother in London
5. My uncle was a sailor and he was _____ for about 15 years
6. Sarah's still not feeling very well in fact she's _____ resting.
7. I'm usually _______ by 8.15 every morning.
8. I'm usually home by 7 o'clock, but tomorrow I'm going to see the match _______.

Exercise 2
Complete the following sentences using in or at.
E.g. Were there many people at the football match?

1. It's always freezing __ Sean's house, you have to keep your jacket on the whole time you're there.
2. I can't meet you for a drink tomorrow night, as I'll be _ Francesca's.
3. Clare wasn't __ work today, she's still sick. I called her ___ home but she was __ bed and couldn't come to the telephone.
4. Thomas is a student ___ Newcastle University
5. I bumped into Steve __the train station.

Answers

Exercise 1
1. in prison; 2. at the airport; 3. at school; 4. at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre; 5. at sea; 6. in bed; 7. at work; 8. at the football stadium

Exercise 2
1. in ; 2. at ; 3. at; at; in; 4. at; 5. at