PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE: at, in, and on (I)

One of the most difficult areas of English language for Second Language users of the language is the area of preposition. The surprising thing is: it can prove difficult to even masters of the language! Do you say: meet me at Baba Sala's shop or in Baba Sala's shop? At the market or in the market? Well, you should be able to confidently answer the question after reading this series. This article is in three parts along each of the three prepositions. 

The Preposition ‘at’

The following are the different ways of using 'at':

Ø   To refer to a position or location which we see as a point:

·         I was sitting at my desk when he entered.

·         I will see you at the car park.

·         You will find me at Baba Sala’s shop (meaning the surroundings of the shop).

Ø   To talk about locations at companies, workplaces when we see them as a place of activity:

·         He walks at Slot Investment

·         Do you know anybody working at MTN?

Ø   To talk about an activity in which a lot of people participate:

·         I saw you at Dejo's birthday party.

·         He was at the theatre.

·         I met a cool guy at the cinema today.

Ø  ‘At’ is used with educational establishments:

·         I am a student at University of Ibadan.

·         Wole Soyinka was then a student at the university college, Ibadan.

·         She is a popular girl at her school.

Ø   To indicate an address:

·         I live at Number 4, Jagunlabi Elewuojo street, Apete, Ibadan.

·         You can check him at Uli Lijofi  Chamber, Fumbi-Fagun Crescent, Ondo

Ø   To talk about public places:

·         I saw one giant horse at Ooni's palace yesterday.

·         The event is taking place at Ajose Lecture Theatre.

Ø   To talk about an area in a town or city:

·         There is a traffic jam at Sabo.

·         Tochukwu, let us meet at Oluwole.

·         There were many people at the market today

Ø   To describe a direction or destination of the action denoted by a verb:

·         He looked at him furiously.

·         He threw a big slab at him.

Read the second and third parts here:
PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE: at, in, and on (II)

PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE: at, in, and on (III)