Intermediate grammar · Lesson 127 · B1

in/on/at (other uses)

Fixed expressions with in (in the rain, in Welsh, in love, in a good mood, in my opinion), on (on TV, on fire, on purpose, on holiday, on strike) and at (at the age of 16, at 70 miles an hour).

Start the lesson

18Steps · about 37 minutes

in/on/at (other uses): start

In this lesson

inA2 screens of questions
onB1 screen of questions
on holiday, on a trip and similarC3 screens of questions
at the age of ..., at a speed of ...D1 screen of questions
Put it together+5 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 4

in

Expression Example of use
in the rain / in the sun / in the shade / in the dark / in bad weather weather and light
in a language / in a currency in Welsh, in euros
(be / fall) in love (with somebody) feelings
in a (good / bad) mood temper
in (my) opinion views
  • We found a spot in the shade. The sun was far too strong to sit in.
  • Don't stand out there in the rain. Come inside.
  • How do you say "good morning" in Welsh?
  • How much is fifty pounds in euros?
  • Look at them holding hands. They're obviously in love.
  • You're in a very good mood today. Have you won something?
  • In my opinion the new bus station is an eyesore.

Point A · Exercise 127.1 · part 1 of 2

Complete the sentences using in and one of these.

Use these

the moodcold weatherlovemy opinionGermanthe rainpoundsthe shade

  1. Example

    Take an umbrella if you're going out in the rain.

    AnswerTake an umbrella if you're going out in the rain.
  2. My nan's chest is bad, so she stays indoors .

  3. The film was , so I had to read the subtitles.

  4. They met on a train to Leeds, fell , and got married a year later.

  5. I can't face karaoke tonight. I'm not .

Point A · Exercise 127.1 · part 2 of 2

Complete the sentences using in and one of these.

Use these

the moodcold weatherlovemy opinionGermanthe rainpoundsthe shade

  1. The sun's too strong here. Let's move the picnic blanket of those trees.

  2. Everyone else loved the new kitchen, but the colour was a mistake.

  3. Sixty dollars? How much is that ?

Point B of 4

on

Expression Meaning
on TV / on television
on the radio
on the phone
on fire burning
on purpose intentionally
on the whole in general
  • Did you see the match on TV last night?
  • I heard about the road closure on the radio.
  • We've never met, but we've spoken on the phone a few times.
  • Call the fire brigade! That shed is on fire.
  • Sorry, I didn't break your mug on purpose.
  • The hours are long, but on the whole I like working at the garden centre.

Point B · Extra practice

Put in on.

  1. Did you watch the match TV?

  2. Call the fire brigade! The shed is fire.

  3. Sorry, I didn't do it purpose.

Point C of 4

on holiday, on a trip and similar

We say:

  • (be / go) on holiday
  • (be / go) on a cruise / on a tour / on a trip
  • (be / go to a place) on business
  • (be / go) on strike
  • (be / go) on a diet

We also say go somewhere for a holiday.

  • We're going on holiday to Cornwall next month.
  • My grandparents went on a cruise round the Norwegian fjords.
  • Tariq is in Frankfurt on business this week.
  • The bin men are on strike, and the street is starting to notice.
  • I ate far too much over Christmas. It's time I went on a diet.
  • Fiona has gone to Crete for a holiday.

Point C · Exercise 127.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences using on and one of these.

Use these

businessa cruisea dietfireholidayhis phonethe radiopurposestrikeTVa tourthe whole

  1. Example

    I heard the traffic news on the radio. The M62 is closed.

    AnswerI heard the traffic news on the radio. The M62 is closed.
  2. The nurses have gone over pay.

  3. Don't go if you get seasick.

  4. Everyone ran outside when they saw that the kitchen was .

  5. On our first morning in York, a guide took us of the old city walls.

Point C · Exercise 127.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences using on and one of these.

Use these

businessa cruisea dietfireholidayhis phonethe radiopurposestrikeTVa tourthe whole

  1. Josh keeps all his train tickets .

  2. I'm too tired to go out. Is there anything good tonight?

  3. I'm really sorry about your fence. I didn't reverse into it .

  4. If you're , you probably shouldn't order the sticky toffee pudding.

Point C · Exercise 127.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences using on and one of these.

Use these

businessa cruisea dietfireholidayhis phonethe radiopurposestrikeTVa tourthe whole

  1. We'll be from Saturday. We're going to the Isle of Man.

  2. Shona works for an oil company. She often goes to Aberdeen .

  3. The weather was mixed, but we had a good week.

Point D of 4

at the age of ..., at a speed of ...

We use at for an age, a speed or a temperature: at the age of 16 / at 70 miles an hour / at 100 degrees.

  • My dad left school at 15. / My dad left school at the age of 15.
  • The police say the car was going at 90 miles an hour.
  • Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
  • We are now cruising at a height of 11,000 metres.

Point D · Extra practice

Put in at.

  1. My dad left school 15.

  2. The car was going 90 miles an hour.

  3. Water freezes 0 degrees Celsius.

Put it together · Exercise 127.3 · part 1 of 5

Complete the sentences with in, on or at.

Use these

inonat

  1. Example

    This oven cooks pizza at 400 degrees.

    AnswerThis oven cooks pizza at 400 degrees.
  2. When I was twelve, I went a school trip to Belgium.

  3. My great-uncle learnt to swim the age of 70.

  4. Could you open the curtains? We're sitting the dark.

  5. We couldn't afford to go holiday this year.

Put it together · Exercise 127.3 · part 2 of 5

Complete the sentences with in, on or at.

Use these

inonat

  1. I don't like cycling the wind. It's exhausting.

  2. Prices in the shop have risen an alarming rate.

  3. Ellie started her own business 22.

  4. There was a funny interview with a farmer the radio this morning.

Put it together · Exercise 127.3 · part 3 of 5

Complete the sentences with in, on or at.

Use these

inonat

  1. My parents want to go a cruise. I'd rather stay on dry land.

  2. Sound travels through the air about 340 metres a second.

  3. No crisps for me, thanks. I'm a diet.

  4. Several trees came down the gales last night.

Put it together · Exercise 127.3 · part 4 of 5

Complete the sentences with in, on or at.

Use these

inonat

  1. Don't ring me next week. I'll be holiday.

  2. I couldn't work in a call centre. You spend the whole day the phone.

  3. "How was the new job this week?" "Tiring, but the whole, fine."

  4. your opinion, should I take the job or not?

Put it together · Exercise 127.3 · part 5 of 5

Complete the sentences with in, on or at.

Use these

inonat

  1. What's wrong with Gareth? He's been a terrible mood all day.

  2. I don't think that kind of advert should be shown TV before nine o'clock.

  3. The safety instructions are printed five languages.

Lesson 127 · Result

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