Hello! I just want to share some knowledge...
The prepositions "in", "on" and "at" are usually not used correctly, so this is a simple lesson about them.
Let's start with IN.
IN is used before "general" things or words that usually are great in size, area or number. Example: in this world, in the city, in Europe.
It is also used to denote something is inside another thing. Example: the cookie is in the jar, the pencil in the bag.
Next is ON.
ON is used before "semi-general or semi-specific" words. They are words that are not so large and not so small. ON is like a middle man. Example: on the building, on the mountains.
It is also used to denote something is above or is lying in the surface of another thing. Example: the book is on the table, the pillow is on the bed.
Finally, AT.
AT is the opposite of IN. It is used for specific words or words that are usually small in size. Example: at the kitchen, at the tree, at the computer.
Usually, what is general and specific depends upon the words used. For example, if your story consists of a main character being sucked into a TV where there is an alternate world there, you can use
in the TV, although a TV is supposed to be a specific thing. The use of IN, ON and AT depends upon the user's intentions, whether to make something wider or smaller. What I'm laying out above are only the "basics" of the use of these three commonly used prepositions.
A parcel of information:
When using places or addresses:
use IN for cities or countries: in New York, in Asia
use ON for streets or places within a city: on Rosario Street, on Alice Park
use AT for specifics: at 456-Rosario Street, at Room No. 890
When using dates or time:
use IN for years or months: in 2010, in June
use ON for days: on September 1, 2009, on Monday
use AT for time: at 4 'o clock, at night
In conclusion, we can make a generalization:
We use IN for BIG and GENERAL things.
We use ON for things that are not used for IN or AT.
We use AT for SMALL and SPECIFIC things.
That's all.
If you find any mistakes or errors, please inform me. Thanks a lot.
