"in a place" vs. "at a place"

Question

Hi everybody.I'd like to know the difference between being "in a place" and "at a place".As I'm not a native English speaker and didn't find any good explanation when to use this or that one, I wonder if those phrases are interchangeable or just a thing of colloquial language.Can someone please explain that to me (with some examples)?Thanks in advance!Greetings from Germany, Tom

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

See .<br/><br/>CJ

Fadysandy · Answer

I live in America. (in is used with big places)

I live at home. (at refers to small places)

I hope I could show the difference.

Thanks

Bye

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks a lot for your answers. However, fadysandy, I don't think your explanation that "in" is used with big places and "at" refers to small places makes sense, as I could also say "I live in a small house" or "I live at Hyde Park". Besides, this was not my question;) But from what I read from other posts it depends on whether you are really inside a place or just at a place.
(to express to be really inside..(?)...)
If someone's out there with another good explanation...
Btw, let's take this sentence I found on google:

Have you ever been in a place where you can't use your wireless telephone—like skiing at higher altitudes, camping in a remote area, or even shopping at the...

Isn't it possible to use "at a place" here as well?

Tom

BarbaraPA · Answer

In fact, I would use "at" in the example above myself.

Anonymous · Answer

I believe that 'in' as a preposition of place is used when you are unable to disclose your precise or pinpoint location. For instance, "I live in India".
While 'at' as a preposition is used when the precise or pinpoint location is known. For instance' " I'm at McDonald's ".

Anonymous · Answer

Hi everyone,

I found the following link quite useful in terms of using "in a place", "at a place", or "on a place" in its correct way.

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/at-on-and-in-place

Aqua paint 173 · Answer

sometimes you use 'at' instead of 'to' and sometimes you use 'at' instead of 'in'. So 'I am on my way to the match' becomes … 'I am at the stadium' (going = to; arrival = at). But if you are discriminating between the place and the event you have 'I am in the stadium,' but 'I am at the match'.

Anonymous · Answer

hi Tom, Yes its been 10 years since you asked the question. but did you find out anything? cuz I need the same answer

Anonymous · Answer

It depends upon the places, I guess. And, It should've been "Have you ever been to a place....", Shouldn't it?

"in a place" vs. "at a place"

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