Prepositions of Place (AT / IN / ON) – English Grammar Exercises for A1
Two friends are texting and calling each other to plan a pick-up point for their bus trip this afternoon.
Choose the correct preposition (A, B, or C) to complete the sentences.
1 Let’s meet tomorrow morning ______ the main bus stop.
(a) in
(b) on
(c) at
2 I can’t leave yet. I am still packing my backpack ______ my bedroom.
(a) in
(b) at
(c) on
3 Make sure you leave your heavy suitcase ______ the wooden bench.
(a) in
(b) on
(c) at
4 I will be waiting for you ______ the central train station.
(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
5 The new bus terminal is located ______ Baker Street.
(a) to
(b) in
(c) on
6 Don’t forget to put the bus tickets ______ your wallet so you don’t lose them!
(a) on
(b) at
(c) in
7 I will meet you right ______ the entrance of the cafe next to the bus stop.
(a) in
(b) at
(c) on
8 If it rains, I will wait ______ my dad’s car until you arrive.
(a) on
(b) at
(c) in
9 Hurry up! We need to get ______ the bus before it leaves without us.
(a) in
(b) on
(c) at
10 Look at the bus schedule ______ the wall to see what time we leave.
(a) on
(b) in
(c) at
11 I am sorry I am late. I am stuck ______ a terrible traffic jam right now.
(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
12 The driver is sitting ______ the front of the bus, waiting for the last passengers.
(a) in
(b) on
(c) at
13 I sent you the exact location map; you can see it ______ your phone.
(a) in
(b) at
(c) on
14 Is there a coffee shop ______ the end of the road where we can wait?
(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
15 We have to wait outside. There is a cleaning problem ______ the station building.
(a) in
(b) on
(c) at
16 I found this great travel guide ______ the internet while looking for our route.
(a) on
(b) in
(c) at
17 Please sit ______ the back seat of the taxi when you come to meet me.
(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
18 When we finally arrive ______ Paris, we will take another bus to the hotel.
(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
19 Look for me when you arrive. I am standing ______ the corner of Apple Street and Main Street.
(a) to
(b) in
(c) at
20 We can’t meet today. I am sick and I am staying ______ home.
(a) on
(b) at
(c) in
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (c) at
Explanation: We use “at” for specific, exact points on a map (like a bus stop). (a) is a common mistake because students think of being inside the bus shelter, but the stop itself is a point. (b) is a basic error because “on” is for surfaces.
2 (a) in
Explanation: We use “in” for enclosed spaces and rooms (like a bedroom). (b) is a common mistake used for general locations, but for rooms, “in” is required. (c) is a basic error as you cannot stand “on” a room.
3 (b) on
Explanation: We use “on” for flat surfaces, like a bench or a table. (a) and (c) are incorrect because a bench is not an enclosed space or a map point, but a surface you place things onto.
4 (a) at
Explanation: “At” is the best choice for a public building when referring to it as a meeting point or a point on a journey (the station). (b) is a common mistake; you only use “in” if you want to emphasize being inside the building physically. (c) is grammatically incorrect.
5 (c) on
Explanation: In English, we use “on” for street names (e.g., on Baker Street). (b) is a common mistake (some British English speakers use “in a street”, but “on” is standard for naming the street). (a) is a basic preposition error.
6 (c) in
Explanation: A wallet is a 3D enclosed container, so we put things “in” it. (a) is a common mistake for flat objects, but a wallet holds things inside. (b) is incorrect for containers.
7 (b) at
Explanation: “At the entrance” refers to a very specific point in space. (a) is a common mistake, but “in” would mean inside the actual doorway structure. (c) is a grammar error.
8 (c) in
Explanation: For personal, small vehicles like cars and taxis, we always use “in”. (a) is a common mistake because students confuse cars with public transport (on the bus). (b) is structurally incorrect.
9 (b) on
Explanation: For large public transport where you can stand up and walk around (buses, trains, planes), we use “on”. (a) is a common mistake (students apply the rule for cars to buses). (c) is grammatically wrong.
10 (a) on
Explanation: We use “on” for things attached to vertical or horizontal surfaces, like a wall. (b) and (c) are basic grammatical errors in this context.
11 (b) in
Explanation: The phrase is always “in a traffic jam” because you are surrounded (enclosed) by cars. (a) is a common mistake. (c) is incorrect.
12 (c) at
Explanation: We say “at the front / at the back” of a vehicle or a room when referring to the specific positional point. (a) is a common mistake because students translate directly from their native language. (b) is a grammar error here.
13 (c) on
Explanation: We use “on” for screens, electronic devices, and digital surfaces (on my phone, on TV, on the computer). (a) is a common mistake. (b) is structurally wrong.
14 (a) at
Explanation: “At the end of” is a fixed phrase referring to a specific point on a line or route. (b) and (c) are grammatical errors when paired with “the end of”.
15 (c) at
Explanation: “At the station” is used to refer to the station as a general location or facility. (a) is a common mistake, but “in” is usually reserved for emphasizing being physically indoors. (b) is a grammar error.
16 (a) on
Explanation: We use “on” for the internet, websites, and digital media. (b) is a common mistake, as students often think of the internet as an enclosed space (“in the internet”). (c) is structurally incorrect.
17 (b) in
Explanation: Since it is a taxi (a small vehicle), we use “in”. (c) is a common mistake because people confuse it with “on a bus seat”. (a) is incorrect.
18 (b) in
Explanation: The rule is to use “arrive in” for cities, countries, and large geographic areas (arrive in Paris). (a) is a common mistake because students use “arrive at”, which is only for buildings or small locations (arrive at the airport). (c) is wrong.
19 (c) at
Explanation: “At the corner” represents a specific meeting point or intersection. (b) is a common mistake (though “in the corner” is used for inside a room, “at the corner” is for streets). (a) is a grammar error.
20 (b) at
Explanation: “At home” is a fixed exception in English grammar. (a) and (c) are common mistakes for beginners who try to apply the rules of enclosed spaces (“in home”) or surfaces (“on home”).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
- AT (A Specific Point): Use “at” for exact map locations, meeting points, and specific places (e.g., at the bus stop, at the station, at the entrance, at home).
- IN (An Enclosed Space or Large Area): Use “in” for 3D spaces with boundaries, rooms, containers, and small vehicles (e.g., in my bag, in the bedroom, in a car, in a taxi). Also used for cities and countries (e.g., arrive in Paris).
- ON (A Surface or Public Transport): Use “on” for flat surfaces, streets, screens, and large public vehicles you can walk inside (e.g., on the wall, on Baker Street, on my phone, on the bus, on a train).