at, in, or on

Question

0 Using at, in, or on follows a logical pattern for time, but for place/location it can be sometimes difficult to determine which one should be used or if 2 or all can be used.02br02br00Try answering the following with either in, on, or at (if you can use more than 1 even if it denotes a different context):02br02br00A. For A, just choose one of the three.02br02br001. Bob works _ a bank.02br002. Jane drives _ a bus/car.02br003. Paul  is a fisherman, he works _ a boat.02br004. Kim is a mechanic, she works _ cars.02br005. Dave is a train driver, he works _ (a train / trains).02br02br00B. Now if any of the sentences above sound strange to you, please reword them anyway you see that would make them sound more natural (with or without in, on, or at)02br02br00C. TAKE - which do you take? A) the subway, B) the underground, or C) other____0-

Clive · Accepted Answer

0Hi,02br
02br
00I'm happy to do this, but would you like to try first?02br
02br
00Best wishes, Clive0-

Wwwdotcom · Answer

0 I am a native English speaker and have my own views towards the answers (that's why I made these sentences).  I was curious of others' reasoning.  I would be more than happy to give mine after a few posts.0-

Goodman · Answer

0Ok, I'll be brave.02br
02br
001. Bob works _01font00at 02font00 a bank.02br
002. Jane drives a bus/car.-01font00 I don't think this one needs any preposition02font00.02br
003. Paul is a fisherman, he works _01font00on 02font00 a boat.02br
004. Kim is a mechanic, she works 01font00on02font00_ cars.02br
005. Dave is a train driver, he works 01font00on02font00_ (a train / trains).0-

Clive · Answer

1font00Hi,02font02br
02br
01font00Sorry, I thought you were a learner. Here's my take.02font02br
02br
01font00A. For A, just choose one of the three.02br
02br
001. Bob works 01font00in02font00_ a bank.02br
002. Jane drives 01font00no preposition02font00_ a bus/car.02br
003. Paul is a fisherman, he works 01font00on02font00_ a boat.02br
004. Kim is a mechanic, she works 01font00on02font00_ cars.02br
005. Dave is a train driver, he works 01font00on02font00_ (a train / trains).02br
02br
00B. Now if any of the sentences above sound strange to you, please reword them anyway you see that would make them sound more natural (with or without in, on, or at)01font00 I'd just say 02font01i00Dave is a train driver02i00,02br
02br
00C. TAKE - which do you take? A) the subway,01font00 yes02font00 B) the underground01font00 we don't say this in N. America02font00, or C) other01font01i00__eg a plane, a cab02i02font02font02br
02br
01font01font00Best wishes, Clive02font02font0-

Wwwdotcom · Answer

0 01font003. Paul is a fisherman, he works 01font00on02font00_ a boat.02br
004. Kim is a mechanic, she works 01font00on02font00_ cars.02font02br
02br
00 Ok, now why isn't a fisherman perceived as a mechanic if they both use "on"? 0-

Clive · Answer

0Hi,02br
02br
01font003. Paul is a fisherman, he works 02font01font00on02font01font00_ a boat.02br
004. Kim is a mechanic, she works 02font01font00on02font01font00_ cars.02br
02br
02font01font00Ok, now why isn't a fisherman perceived as a mechanic if they both use "on"?02font02br
02br
00Because '01i00on02i00' has different shades of meaning. eg 00Consider02br
02br
00I am working 01i00on02i00 the table, ie doing my homework on the table.02br
02br
00I am working 01i00on02i00 the table, ie repairing the table.02br
02br
00(and there are other meanings, too, eg I am working 01i00on02i00 Saturday.)02br
02br
01i00He is working on a boat02i00 is, in fact, ambiguous as to whether he is fixing the boat or 'standing on it to do his job'. Usually, the context will clarify that. 02br
02br
00Best wishes, Clive0-

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