Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 107 · A2

in, at, on (places 2)

Fixed phrases: in bed, in hospital, in the sky, in a newspaper, in a car; at home, at work, at the station, at Jo's, at a party; on the first floor, on the way home, on a bus or train. For hotels and restaurants, in and at are both fine.

Start the lesson

15Steps · about 30 minutes

In this lesson

inA1 screen of questions
atB1 screen of questions
onC1 screen of questions
Put it together+7 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

in

phrase example
in bed "Where's Sam?" "He's in bed."
in hospital / in prison My grandad is unwell. He's in hospital.
in a street We live in a quiet street near the park.
in the sky Look at the moon in the sky tonight.
in the world What's the tallest building in the world?
in a newspaper / in a book I read about the floods in the paper.
in a photo / in a picture You look really happy in this photo.
in a car / in a taxi Did you come here in your car?
in the middle (of ...) There's a fountain in the middle of the square.
  • "Where's Sam?" "He's in bed."
  • You look really happy in this photo.
  • There's a fountain in the middle of the square.

Point A · Extra practice

Put in in.

  1. "Where's Tom?" "He's still bed."

  2. My grandma is hospital, but she's getting better.

  3. I read about the fire the paper.

Point B of 3

at

phrase example
at home Will you be at home tomorrow?
at work / at school "Where's Sam?" "He's at work."
at university / at college Priya is studying medicine at university.
at the station / at the airport Shall I pick you up at the airport?
at Jo's (house) / at my aunt's / at the dentist's / at the barber's "Where were you on Sunday?" "At my aunt's."
at a concert / at a party / at a match There were loads of people at the match.

For buildings such as hotels and restaurants, in and at are often both possible.

  • I bumped into Leo at the dentist's.
  • We stayed at a lovely hotel. / We stayed in a lovely hotel.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in at.

  1. I'll be home all evening.

  2. Shall I meet you the station?

  3. Mia is studying law university.

Point C of 3

on

phrase example
on a bus / on a train / on a plane / on a ship Did you come here on the train?
on the ground floor / on the first floor etc. The café is on the first floor. (not in the first floor)
on the way (to ...) / on the way home I saw Ella on the way to college.
  • Did you come here on the train?
  • The café is on the first floor.
  • I saw Ella on the way home.

Point C · Extra practice

Put in on.

  1. I left my umbrella the bus.

  2. Our flat is the third floor.

  3. I bought some bread the way home.

Put it together · Exercise 107.1 · part 1 of 3

Read each scene and answer the question. Use in, at or on + the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    A woman lying in a hospital bed with flowers on the table beside her.

    Where is she? (hospital)

    In hospital.

    AnswerIn hospital.

  2. Some passengers queuing at a check-in desk with their suitcases.

    Where are they? (the airport)

  3. A man asleep under a duvet, his alarm clock ringing.

    Where is he? (bed)

  4. Some passengers leaning on the rail of a ferry, far out at sea.

    Where are they? (a ship)

  5. A man pointing up at the stars at night.

    Where are the stars? (the sky)

Put it together · Exercise 107.1 · part 2 of 3

Read each scene and answer the question. Use in, at or on + the words in brackets.

  1. People dancing and holding drinks while music plays.

    Where are they? (a party)

  2. Callum sitting opposite a doctor, who is checking his blood pressure.

    Where is Callum? (the doctor's)

  3. A sign by the stairs: RESTAURANT, SECOND FLOOR.

    Where is the restaurant? (the second floor)

  4. A woman at her office desk, answering the phone.

    Where is she? (work)

Put it together · Exercise 107.1 · part 3 of 3

Read each scene and answer the question. Use in, at or on + the words in brackets.

  1. Two people in narrow seats by a small round window, high above the clouds.

    Where are they? (a plane)

  2. Two people in the back of a car with a TAXI sign on the roof.

    Where are they? (a taxi)

  3. A bride and groom surrounded by guests throwing confetti.

    Where are they? (a wedding)

Put it together · Exercise 107.2 · part 1 of 4

Put in in, at or on.

Use these

inaton

  1. Example

    Priya is studying medicine at university.

    AnswerPriya is studying medicine at university.

  2. There was a huge rug the middle of the floor.

  3. What's the highest mountain the world?

  4. Were there many people the match on Saturday?

  5. Will you be home on Thursday evening?

Put it together · Exercise 107.2 · part 2 of 4

Put in in, at or on.

Use these

inaton

  1. Who's the woman this picture? Do you recognise her?

  2. Where are the kids? Are they school?

  3. Mum is coming by coach. I'm going to meet her the coach station.

  4. Jack is hospital. He's having his appendix out tomorrow.

Put it together · Exercise 107.2 · part 3 of 4

Put in in, at or on.

Use these

inaton

  1. How many chapters are there this book?

  2. "Are you hungry after your journey?" "No, I had a sandwich the train."

  3. Sorry I'm late. I got a puncture the way here.

  4. "Is Mia here?" "No, she's her cousin's."

Put it together · Exercise 107.2 · part 4 of 4

Put in in, at or on.

Use these

inaton

  1. Don't believe everything you read the papers!

  2. I cycled to work, but I came home the bus.

Lesson 107 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: to, in, at (places 3)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. in–Not checkedB. at–Not checkedC. on–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked

Practise the words

PrepositionsEvery entry, with examples you can hearExercise setsPrepositions, beginner to advanced