Prepositions of Time & Place (In, On, At) – English Grammar Exercises for B1
You are sending a text message to a friend to help them navigate the city and find the restaurant where your group is having a party. Choose the correct preposition of time or place (A, B, or C) to complete your directions accurately.
1 Hey! We are so excited to see you tonight. The restaurant is located ______ River Road.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
2 We have a table reserved for exactly ______ 7:00 PM, so don’t be late!
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
3 If you are taking public transport, you should get ______ the number 42 bus.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
4 You need to get off the bus when you arrive ______ the central train station.
(A) on
(B) at
(C) in
5 When you leave the station, you will be standing ______ a large pedestrian square.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
6 Walk straight down the street. The restaurant is specifically located ______ 150 River Road.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
7 Before you reach the restaurant, you have to turn left ______ the traffic lights.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
8 Keep walking until you arrive ______ the main crossroads, then turn right.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
9 If it starts raining heavily, don’t walk. Just hop ______ a taxi.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
10 The taxi driver can drop you off right ______ the front entrance.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
11 I sent you a picture of the building. You can see it ______ the message I just forwarded.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
12 Once you go through the doors, we are sitting ______ the back of the dining room.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
13 Look for the large, colorful painting hanging ______ the wall near our table.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
14 We want to order our starters soon, so please try to be here ______ time.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
15 If you reach the bridge, you have gone too far. The restaurant is ______ the end of the street.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
16 My phone battery is dying, so if I don’t reply, just ask the staff ______ the reception desk.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
17 They will tell you that our group is dining ______ the private VIP room upstairs.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
18 By the way, I read about this amazing place ______ a local food blog yesterday.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
19 They usually have a live jazz band playing music ______ the evening.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
20 See you soon! The chef leaves exactly ______ midnight, so hurry up!
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) on
Explanation: We use “on” for the names of streets, roads, and avenues when there is no specific building number (e.g., on River Road). The street is viewed as a line or surface you travel along.
2 (A) at
Explanation: We always use “at” for exact clock times (e.g., at 7:00 PM, at noon).
3 (C) on
Explanation: For large public transport vehicles where you can stand up and walk along the floor (like a bus, train, or airplane), we use “on” (e.g., get on the bus).
4 (B) at
Explanation: When giving directions, we treat transport hubs (stations, airports, bus stops) as specific points or dots on a map. Therefore, we use “at” (e.g., arrive at the station).
5 (A) in
Explanation: A square (like a park or a city square) is considered an enclosed geographical area with boundaries. Therefore, you stand “in a square”.
6 (C) at
Explanation: When you provide an exact, specific address with a building number, you must use “at” (e.g., at 150 River Road).
7 (A) at
Explanation: In navigation, intersections, corners, and traffic lights are specific points on your route. You turn “at the traffic lights”.
8 (C) at
Explanation: Similar to traffic lights, a crossroads is a specific meeting point of two roads. You arrive “at the crossroads”.
9 (A) in
Explanation: For small, private vehicles where you must sit down immediately and cannot walk around (like a car or a taxi), we use “in” (e.g., hop in a taxi).
10 (C) at
Explanation: An entrance or a door is a specific point of a building. You wait or get dropped off “at the entrance” or “at the door”.
11 (B) in
Explanation: A text message, email, or book is considered a container of information. You read text or see pictures “in a message”.
12 (A) at
Explanation: We use “at” to designate specific relative points within a larger space (e.g., at the back, at the front).
13 (B) on
Explanation: A wall is a flat, vertical surface. Pictures and signs are hung “on the wall”.
14 (A) on
Explanation: “On time” means punctual (happening exactly at the planned time). The group wants to order soon, so they need the friend to be punctual.
15 (C) at
Explanation: The phrase “at the end of [something]” is used for a specific physical point where a street or an object finishes (e.g., at the end of the street).
16 (A) at
Explanation: A desk is a specific point where a service is provided. You ask for help “at the reception desk”.
17 (B) in
Explanation: A room is an enclosed, 3-dimensional space. You sit or dine “in a room”.
18 (C) on
Explanation: For digital platforms, websites, and the internet, we use “on” (e.g., on a blog, on a website, on social media).
19 (A) in
Explanation: For general parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening), we use “in” (e.g., in the evening).
20 (B) at
Explanation: “Midnight” and “noon” are exact clock times (12:00 AM and 12:00 PM). Therefore, we must use “at” (e.g., at midnight).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Navigating Streets & Addresses:
- ON: Use for the name of the street itself, viewing it as a line. (Walk down the street / The shop is on Baker Street.)
- AT: Use for exact building numbers OR specific intersections/points along the route. (The shop is at 221B Baker Street / Turn left at the traffic lights / Stop at the crossroads.)
2 The Public vs. Private Transport Rule:
- ON: Use for large vehicles where you can stand and walk. (on a bus, on a train, on the subway.)
- IN: Use for small vehicles you must crouch to enter. (in a car, in a taxi.)
3 Points vs. Enclosed Spaces in a Building:
- AT: Use for specific points of service or meeting spots within a building. (at the reception desk, at the entrance, at the back.)
- IN: Use when emphasizing being inside a 3-dimensional space surrounded by walls. (in the private room, in the lobby.)