Basic Grammar:  Prepositions  

ON   

1. We use on with small islands: 

Example:  She spent her holiday on a small island. 

2. We say that a place is on the coast / on a river / on a road:

London is on the river Thames.

Portsmouth is on the south coast of England.

IN

1. We say in when we talk about a building itself.

Example: She was in the church yesterday.

2. We usually say in with towns and villages:

Example:   His parents live in New York.

Note the following expressions: 

AT 

at home 

at work 

at school 

at university   

at college 

at the station 

at an airport 

at the seaside 

at sea 

at reception

at the corner of a street 

at the back of a building 

at the front of a building 

arrive at (with other places and events)

IN 

in the newspaper 

in bed 

in hospital

in prison

in the street  

in the sky 

in an armchair 

in a photograph

in a picture

in a mirror 

in the corner of a room 

in the back of a car 

arrive in a country or town 

ON 
on a farm 
on the left 
on the right 
on the ground floor 
on the way 
on the chair 
on the radio 
on television 
on a horse 
on the corner of a street 
on the back of a letter 
on the front of a letter 
on the back of a piece of paper 

TO - INTO - BY 
We say "go / come / travel / fly / walk / return/ drive / have been etc. to a place or event: 



We say "go into / come into = enter a room / building etc.:

Example:  

Last year we flew to London.
We went to work at seven. 
He opened the door and  went into the room.

BY 
We say by to say how we travel: 
We went to Paris by plane.

I usually go to work by bike / by car / by underground / by bus. 


BUT: 

We say on foot.

Important note: 

We cannot use by if you say my car / the train / a taxi.

Then use IN for taxis and cars.

Then use ON for bike / public transport.