In/On/At Differences?

ForumsGrammar & Sentence Structure
  •  0
  •  14,997
+0
well could tell me the differences between in/on/at
for example
in 1995,on 1995,at 1995
or im in cinema,im in at cinema,im in world,im on world i cant see any differences
1 2
Comments  
This can be tricky, and even native English speakers have trouble with it at times. When talking about years, it's almost always appropriate to use in. You say in 1995, I got fired. However, if you are talking about a specific date, you use on. On May 5th, I got fired. If you are talking about a time, you use at. At 5:00 PM, I got fired. It's pretty crazy, isn't it?

When you are describing your location, such as the cinema, all three are correct, but have different meanings. If you say, "I'm in the cinema.", it is usually interpreted by others as "I am inside the cinema." If you say, "I'm at the cinema", it is usually interpreted by others as "I am outside the cinema" or "I am nearby the cinema." If you say, "I'm on the cinema.", it is usually interpreted by others as "I am standing on top of the cinema."
I take "I was in the cinema" as "I was inside of the cinema hall". EX :"I happened to sleep in the cinema". I take "I was at the cinema" as "I was watching some film in the cinema hall". I take "I was on the cinema" as "I played as an actor/actress on/in the cinema film".

paco
Site Hint: Check out our list of pronunciation videos.
Most of them have to be memorized.
"at" is more general than and can include "in".

I was at the theatre last night. (Even during intermission, when I had a smoke outside of the theatre, I was at the theatre, i.e., even while I was not in the theatre, I was at the theatre. While I was at the theatre, I saw a play.)

I was in the theatre last night. (I was physically inside the building. There may have been a play. There might not have been a play. I may have been looking at the theatre with the intent of buying it!)

CJ
"at" is more general than and can include "in".


Can you say "I live atthe United States"? Emotion: smile

paco
I 'll be back my country in May 5th, is it correct.?
I'll be back my country on May 5th.

which sentence is correct?

thanks


My Editor

Teachers: We supply a list of EFL job vacancies
"I'll be back in my country on May 5" is correct.

Welcome to English Forums! (Note that the thread you replied to was several years old -- next time, feel free to start a new thread if there is not a current one on the subject you are interested in.)
what about when it comes to "things". example: how can we watch them, online or in/on television ?
online or on television
Students: We have free audio pronunciation exercises.
Show more

Answer this Question

Guides