Prepositions of Time & Place (In, On, At) – English Grammar Exercises for B1
You are discussing your essay sources with your professor and classmates. Choose the correct preposition of time or place (A, B, or C) to pinpoint exactly where you found your information.
1 The primary definition of this scientific term is written ______ the first chapter of our textbook.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
2 If you want to see the population statistics, you can find the main chart ______ page 150
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
3 The author’s email address is provided ______ the bottom of the document.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
4 I read a fascinating interview with the lead scientist ______ a famous medical journal.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
5 The professor posted the required reading list ______ the university website yesterday.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
6 There is a very helpful summary of the research methodology ______ the end of this article.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
7 I highlighted a very important quote about climate change ______ paragraph four.
(A) at
(B) on
(C) in
8 Please look at the detailed diagram printed ______ the back cover of the book.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
9 The research team officially presented these findings ______ an international conference last year.
(A) at
(B) on
(C) in
10 I couldn’t find the book in the library, so I spent all night looking for the data ______ the internet.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
11 According to the small footnote ______ the top of the page, this study was funded by the government.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
12 The specific percentages you are looking for are listed ______ table 3
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
13 My research partner and I met ______ the campus library to discuss our essay sources.
(A) at
(B) on
(C) in
14 I found a small translation error ______ line 12 of the historical poem.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
15 You must make sure to include all your references ______ the bibliography section.
(A) in
(B) on
(C) at
16 The exact quote we need for the introduction is located ______ the middle of the page.
(A) on
(B) at
(C) in
17 The title of your essay should be written ______ the top left corner of the paper.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
18 I downloaded the PDF file because I didn’t want to read a 50-page report ______ my small phone screen.
(A) at
(B) in
(C) on
19 The guest speaker will arrive to discuss the literature review ______ exactly 3:00 PM.
(A) in
(B) at
(C) on
20 We have to submit the final draft of our research paper ______ Monday morning.
(A) on
(B) in
(C) at
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 (B) in
Explanation: We use “in” for complete works, sections, or volumes (e.g., in a book, in a chapter, in a magazine). You look “inside” the contents of the chapter. (A) and (C) are incorrect for enclosed sections of text.
2 (C) on
Explanation: We use “on” when referring to the surface of a specific page (e.g., on page 150, on the next page). (A) is a common translation mistake for students who think the data is “inside” the page.
3 (A) at
Explanation: We use “at” for specific, exact points on a page (e.g., at the top, at the bottom). (B) and (C) are incorrect because “the bottom” is a point, not a 3D space or a flat surface.
4 (A) in
Explanation: A journal, newspaper, or magazine is considered a collection of works. Therefore, articles are published “in” them. (B) is incorrect unless you are talking about a digital website version.
5 (B) on
Explanation: For anything digital, including websites, screens, and the internet, we use “on” (e.g., on the website, on a blog).
6 (C) at
Explanation: The phrase “at the end of” specifies a precise point where something concludes (e.g., at the end of the article, at the end of the book).
7 (C) in
Explanation: A paragraph, like a chapter or a line, is considered a container of words. Therefore, we find quotes “in a paragraph” or “in a sentence”.
8 (A) on
Explanation: The cover of a book is a flat, physical surface. Therefore, something is printed “on the cover” or “on the back”.
9 (A) at
Explanation: For specific events, gatherings, or hubs, we use “at” (e.g., at a conference, at a meeting, at a party).
10 (A) on
Explanation: We always use “on” for the internet and digital networks. (B) is a frequent L1 interference mistake.
11 (C) at
Explanation: Just like “at the bottom”, we use “at” to designate the exact point of “the top” of a page.
12 (A) in
Explanation: A table, chart, or list is considered a container for data. You find information “in Table 3” or “in the list”. (B) is a common mistake.
13 (A) at
Explanation: When viewing a building as a meeting point or an institution rather than emphasizing being inside its walls, “at” is the most natural choice (e.g., at the library, at the university).
14 (B) in
Explanation: Similar to a paragraph, a line of text is a container of words. We find a mistake “in line 12”. (A) is a common mistake.
15 (A) in
Explanation: A section of a book or essay is a contained area of text. You put references “in the bibliography”.
16 (C) in
Explanation: This is a tricky exception! While we say at the top and at the bottom, we must say in the middle of the page/room/picture.
17 (B) in
Explanation: Another exception! We say at the top/bottom, but for corners of a 2D space (like a piece of paper or a photograph), we say in the corner (e.g., in the top left corner).
18 (C) on
Explanation: A screen is a flat, digital surface. We read things “on a screen”, “on a monitor”, or “on a display”.
19 (B) at
Explanation: For exact clock times, we always use “at” (e.g., at 3:00 PM).
20 (A) on
Explanation: Even though we usually say “in the morning”, the addition of the specific day “Monday” overrides that rule. We must use “on” for specific days (e.g., on Monday morning).
GRAMMAR POINTS TO REMEMBER
1 Citing Physical & Written Sources:
- IN (The Container): Use “in” for complete works or defined sections of text. Think of them as containers of words.
- Examples: in a book, in an article, in a chapter, in paragraph 4, in line 12, in a magazine, in the bibliography.
- ON (The Surface/Digital): Use “on” for physical flat surfaces and digital platforms.
- Examples: on page 15, on the cover, on the website, on the internet, on the screen.
- AT (The Exact Point): Use “at” for specific coordinates on a page or document.
- Examples: at the top of the page, at the bottom, at the end of the chapter.
2 Two Major Exceptions to Remember:
- Even though we say at the top/bottom, we must say IN the middle of the page.
- We must say IN the corner of the page/picture (treating the corner as an enclosed angle), unlike an outside street corner (on/at the corner).
3 The “Morning” Time Trap:
- General time of day: in the morning / in the afternoon.
- Specific day attached: on Monday morning / on Friday afternoon.