LANGUAGE AND USE
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English Prepositions 1
English prepositions are a real problem foreign speakers have to crack. There are some rules though, as well as exceptions! Let us start analyzing AT and IN.
AT / IN
Exceptions
Be careful when you “laugh at” somebody if the person has not made a joke. It means that he is ridiculous not funny; it may be taken as an offence.
English Prepositions 1
English prepositions are a real problem foreign speakers have to crack. There are some rules though, as well as exceptions! Let us start analyzing AT and IN.
AT / IN
-
AT is preferred in sentences which express ability, aptitude or proficiency or the lack of those.
e.g. I’m good at English.
He is hopeless at hockey.
They are geniuses at hang gliding.
-
e.g. She is well-qualified in French.
- Big or small towns?
e.g. They live at Arcas in Spain.
They have a shop in London.
Exceptions
-
You use IN + small town in the following three cases:
1. When you want to emphasize the idea of INSIDE.
e.g. There are lots of fabulous stone buildings in Toledo.
2. If you refer to working
e.g. She works in Esher.
3. When the speaker is impressed with the place he mentions:
e.g. I have a residence in Bletchley. - You use AT + big towns when you refer to a destination on an air or railway route.
- Exact locations
e.g. They got off the train at Madrid.
-
e.g. Let´s meet at the Ritz.
He is not at home.
He must be at work.
“Tequila Sunrise” is being shown at the cinema again.
I’m sure you can get one of this at Harrods’s.
- Verbs that denote an activity towards someone or something need AT
e.g. Look at me!
He stared at her in such a way! I’m sure he loves her.
It’s rude to point at people.
Mary always shouts at the kids.
Be careful when you “laugh at” somebody if the person has not made a joke. It means that he is ridiculous not funny; it may be taken as an offence.
-
e.g. The teacher fell in front of her class and everybody laughed at her. She was really upset at the kids.
- When we refer to time, AT is used in the following collocations:
- AT is very much used when conveying degree or comparison in the following phrases:
- AT is also found in prices:
- Miscellaneous
- At times
- At every opportunity
- At random
1. at three o’clock
2. at midday / midnight / noon / night
3. at dinner time
4. at sunrise/ sunset
e.g. At best, at worst, at least, at the most, at the least, at the earliest.
e.g. The car was sold at a very low price.
e.g. I feel so lonely at times
e.g. She laughed at him at every opportunity.
e.g. She chose two kids at random to start the game.
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