in, at

Question

He works at/in a food company.   He works at/in ABCDE company.He works at/in the sales department. in school, at schoolWhich proposition is correct in each sentence? They are confusing. Thanks a lot.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

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Either preposition could work in all of your phrases; it depends on the context and the perception of the speaker and the location of the facility. At refers to a point reference (He's not home; he's at the shop) and in refers to a 3-dimensional situation (He's not in the shop; he's in the storeroom).
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Chariot · Answer

Thanks. I understand the phrase"in the school" refers to physically in the school building or school yard. Do "in school" and "at school" have the same meaning? I often think that if the above phrases do not contain "the", there is less sense on the physical side. Is this perception correct?

CalifJim · Answer

Chariotif the above phrases do not contain "the", there is less sense on the physical side. Is this perception correct?

Yes, that is the general idea.
in the school - under the roof of the school building (said of a person OR thing)

at the school - in or near the school building (said of a person OR thing)

in school - being educated in or at a school; occupied with being educated (said of a person)

at school - located at a school; attending a class in a school (said of a person)
You can say that there is an auditorium in the school, but the auditorium is not in school or at school.
You can say that there is a playground at the school, but the playground is not in school or at school.
Auditoriums and playgrounds cannot be educated or attend classes.

In general, at X means participating in the activities associated with X. at school, at work, at court, at prayer, at band practice, at football practice.

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

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They could, or

"in school"= a student
"at school" = not at home

It depends on context.
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Sitifan · Answer

Sid is [1. at school 2. in school 3. in the school].

The meaning of 'enrolled in' is expressed by [1] in BrE and by [2] in AmE; the meaning 'at the place, not at home' is expressed by [1] or [2] in BrE, and by [1] in AmE; the meaning of 'within the building' is expressed by [3] in both BrE and AmE.

Quoted from CGEL, Section 9.16, Longman.

Mister Micawber · Answer

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Not quite accurate, Sitifan, at least re at the place in AmE-- both are at and in are fine. See CJ's comment on context.

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Sitifan · Answer

Mister Micawber.
Not quite accurate, Sitifan, at least re at the place in AmE-- both are at and in are fine. See CJ's comment on context.
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What did you mean by [at least re at the place in AmE]?

I haven't mentioned [at the place] in my reply, have I?

Mister Micawber · Answer

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the meaning 'at the place, not at home' is expressed by [1] or [2] in BrE, and by [1] in AmE

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Sitifan · Answer

The dialog below does not contradict CJ's comment, does it?

Where is he?

He is [at (the) school/in (the) school]. (British English)

He is [at (the) school/in the school]. (American English)

Sitifan · Answer

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/school_1

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at school

a) in the school building:

I can get some work done while the kids are at school.

b) British English attending a school, rather than being at college or university or having a job:

We've got two children at school, and one at university.

6

in school

a) in the school building:

Sandra's not in school today.

b) American English attending a school or university rather than having a job:

Are your boys still in school?

in, at

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