Mastering Prepositions: In, On, At, For, With, Between
Hello everyone! Ever get stuck on tiny words like 'in', 'on', or 'at'? You're not alone! These little words are called prepositions, and they are super important. They are like the GPS of our sentences, telling us where something is, when something happens, or how something is done.
In these notes, we'll explore six of the most common prepositions. We'll break them down with simple explanations and fun examples to make them easy to remember. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first – you've got this!
Part 1: The 'Where' Prepositions - In, On, At (for Place)
These three prepositions are often used to talk about location. A great way to remember how to use them is to think of an upside-down pyramid, going from the biggest, most general place (In) to the smallest, most specific point (At).
Using 'In': For Enclosed Spaces and Large Areas
Think of 'in' as meaning 'inside'. We use it for places that have boundaries you can be inside of.
Use 'in' for:
- Countries, cities, and neighbourhoods: He lives in Japan. My school is in Kowloon Tong.
- Enclosed spaces (like a box): The pencils are in the pencil case. My brother is in his room.
- Buildings: Let's meet in the library. I left my wallet in the classroom.
- A body of water: The fish swim in the sea.
Memory Aid: If you can be inside it, use 'in'!
Using 'On': For Surfaces and Lines
Think of 'on' for anything that is on a flat surface, or attached to something.
Use 'on' for:
- Surfaces: The book is on the desk. There is a clock on the wall.
- Streets and roads: The shop is on Nathan Road.
- Floors in a building: The music room is on the third floor.
- Public transport: I am on the bus. She is on the MTR.
Memory Aid: If you can put a sticker on it, use 'on'!
Using 'At': For Specific Points and Addresses
'At' is the most specific of the three. It points to an exact location or a specific place.
Use 'at' for:
- Specific addresses: She lives at 123 Flower Street.
- Specific locations or points: Let's meet at the main gate. He is waiting at the bus stop.
- Public places and shops: I will see you at the cinema. He works at the supermarket.
- Events: We were at a concert last night.
Memory Aid: Think of dropping a pin on a map. That precise spot is 'at'!
Quick Review: The Place Pyramid
In (Biggest Area) -> in Hong Kong
On (More Specific) -> on a street
At (Most Specific) -> at a specific bus stop
Key Takeaway for Place
- Use in for enclosed spaces and large areas (cities, countries).
- Use on for surfaces (tables, walls) and lines (streets).
- Use at for specific points (a doorway, a bus stop) and addresses.
Part 2: The 'When' Prepositions - In, On, At (for Time)
Great news! The same pyramid idea helps us use in, on, and at for time, going from long periods to exact moments.
Using 'In': For Long Periods of Time
'In' is used for non-specific, longer periods of time.
Use 'in' for:
- Centuries and decades: in the 21st century, in the 1990s
- Years: in 2023
- Seasons: in summer, in winter
- Months: in October, in my birthday month
- Parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon
Using 'On': For Specific Days and Dates
'On' narrows it down to one particular day.
Use 'on' for:
- Days of the week: on Monday, on Friday
- Specific dates: on 25th December, on my birthday
- Special days: on New Year's Day
Using 'At': For Precise Times
'At' is for the exact time on the clock.
Use 'at' for:
- Specific times: at 3 PM, at 10:30 AM
- Meal times: at lunchtime, at dinner
- Specific moments in the day: at sunrise, at midnight
Did you know?
There's a common exception! We say "in the morning" and "in the afternoon", but we say "at night".
Key Takeaway for Time
- Use in for long periods (years, months, seasons).
- Use on for single days and dates.
- Use at for exact clock times.
Part 3: The 'How' and 'Why' Prepositions - For and With
These prepositions help explain purpose, reason, and how things are connected or done.
Using 'For': Purpose, Reason, and Duration
'For' often answers the questions "Why?" or "How long?".
Use 'for' to show:
- Purpose or Reason: This gift is for you. I am studying for the exam. We went out for pizza.
- Duration (a period of time): She has lived here for ten years. We talked for two hours.
Using 'With': Accompaniment and Tools
'With' often answers the questions "Who with?" or "What with?".
Use 'with' to show:
- Accompaniment (being together): I went to the park with my friends. Do you want milk with your tea?
- Using a tool or instrument: She wrote the note with a blue pen. He opened the door with a key.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Be careful not to mix up with and by when talking about tools. We use 'with' for the tool itself (I cut the paper with scissors) and 'by' for the action (The song was written by a famous artist).
Key Takeaway for For and With
- Use for to explain the purpose or how long something lasts.
- Use with to show that people or things are together, or to name the tool used to do something.
Part 4: The 'Relationship' Preposition - Between
This preposition is all about the space that separates things.
Using 'Between': In the Middle of Two
'Between' is simple! We use it when something is in the middle of two other people, places, or things.
Examples:
- The cat is sleeping between the two cushions.
- I sat between my two best friends at the cinema.
- Our house is between the post office and the bakery.
- You must choose between the red shirt and the blue shirt.
Did you know?
While we usually use between for two items, you can also use it for more than two if you are talking about separate, distinct items. For example: "The treaty was signed between Britain, France, and the United States."
Key Takeaway for Between
- Use between to talk about something that is in the space separating two distinct things.