at/in

Question

Dear helpers,I am at/in the university, I am at/in my office (which is correct and why). Th eprepositions of place are not clear for me. Could you please make it more clear to me with detailsYours

Philip · Accepted Answer

GoaheadDear helpers,

I am at/in the university, I am at/in my office (which is correct and why). Th eprepositions of place are not clear for me. Could you please make it more clear to me with details

Yours

Their usage is often difficult to explain, as well. British/American differences exist. Cases in point:

"in the university" = I am a student, "at the university" = my current location;

"at the office" & "in the office" are both used in AE.

CalifJim · Answer

at indicates location in the world.
in indicates enclosure within the boundaries of some containing area or space.

I can understand being at the office (not at school, not at a restaurant, not at home, ...)
I can understand being at the university (not at the office, ...)
I can understand being in the office (within the space/enclosure called the office)
But I can't quite understand being in the university. It might mean I am a student at the university or I attend the university, but it can't mean containment in an enclosure because a university is not something like a room or a (single) building.

Note that at and in are not mutually exclusive. When you are at the office, you are in the office; when you are in the office, you are at the office.

CJ

See also .

at/in

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions