Page 105 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

On is used for position on a surface.
Hurry up - supper's on the table!
That picture would look better on the other walL There's a big spider on the ceiling.
On can mean 'attached to'.
Why do you wear that ring on your first finger? There aren't many apples on the tree this year.
On is also used for position by a lake or sea. Bowness is on Lake Windermere. Southend-on-Sea
3 in
In is used for position inside large areas, and in three-dimensional space (when something is surrounded on all sides).
1 don't think he's in his office. Let's go for a walk in the woods. She grew up in Swaziland. I last saw her in the car park. He lived in the desert for three years.
4 public transport
We use on (and off) to talk about travel using public transport (buses, trains, planes and boats), as well as (motor)cyc1es and horses.
There's no room on the bus; let's get offagain.
He's arriving on the 3.15 train. (NOT • • . irtlttJith the 3.15 ff'tlitl.) We're booked on flight 604.
It took five days to cross the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth. I'll go down to the shop on my bike.
But we use in and out (of) to talk about cars and small private planes and boats.
She came in a taxi.
He fell into the river when he was getting out ofhis canoe.
S arrive
We generally use at (not to) after arrive; in is used before very large places. He arrives at the airport at 15.30. (NOT He affltleS t6 t.~e airpBI"t ...) What time do we arrive in New York?
6 addresses
We generally use at to talk about addresses. Are you still at the same address?
She lives at 73 Albert Street.
We use in (ArnE on) if we just give the name of the street. She lives in Albert Street.
We use on for the number of the floor. She lives in a flat on the third floor.
At can be used with a possessive to mean 'at somebody's house or shop'. Where's Jane?-She's round at Pat's.
You're always at the hairdresser's.
•
at, on and in: place 81
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