"at" the stadium?

Question

The title says it all, is the preposition "at" correct?-They practise running at the stadium every day.(the word "practise" is in BrE)Thanks.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

I'd say "at" and "in" are equally correct, having slightly different senses. (at the stadium rather than at the park / in the stadium rather than around it)

Sorry, I know you didn't ask about "in."

Goodman · Answer

They practise running everyday at the stadium -it's correct

Cbsteh · Answer

I quote "Oxford's Guide to English Grammar" by Eastwood, J. (2002), OEP, pg 290:

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1 At and in

a At is one-dimensional.

We use it when we see something as a point in space.
The car was waiting at the lights.
There's someone at the door.

We also use at+ event.
We met at Daphne's party, didn't we?

We use at+ building when we are talking about the normal purpose of the building.
The Browns are at the theatre. (= watching a play)
I bought these dishes at the supermarket.
Nicola is fifteen. She's still at school.

We also use at for a person's house or flat.
I had a cup of coffee at Angela's (house/flat).

...

c In is three-dimensional.

We use it when we see something as all around.
I had five pounds in my pocket.
Who's that man in the green sweater?
There was a man sitting in the waiting room.

Compare in and at with buildings.

It was cold in the library. (= inside the building)
We were at the library. (= choosing a book)

NOTE
Compare these expressions with corner.
There were shelves over the fireplace and a bookcase in the corner.
There's a newsagent's at/on the corner. You turn left there.

d In general we use in for a country or town and at for a smaller place.

We finally arrived in Birmingham/at Land's End.

But we can use at with a town if we see it as a point on a journey.
You have to change trains at Birmingham.

And we can use in for a smaller place if we see it as three-dimensional.
I've lived in the village all my life.

Look at these phrases.
at 52 Grove Road
at your house
at the station
at home/work/school
at the seaside
at the back/end of a queue

in Spain/Bristol
in Grove Road
in the lesson
in a book/newspaper
in the photo/picture
in the country
in the middle
in the back/front of a car
in a queue/line/row

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So, if the emphasis of "They practise running at the stadium every day." is about the running practice, then I would choose "at the stadium" rather than "in the stadium".

Chris

"at" the stadium?

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