In vs. at

Question

Please help me explain to my ESL students the finer points of in vs. at.

Why, if your cell phone rang, might you say, and I think probably would say, "I am at the bank/resturant/post office" when you are actually inside the bank/resturant/post office?
And why, when you call your real estate agent, might she say, and I think probably would say, "I am at the house" rather than I am "in" the house, even though she was inside the house?
And if you can be "at" a house why can't you be "at" your bedroom?

And what accounts for the difference between being "in" the hospital or "in" jail and being "at" the hospital or jail?
Thanks, Bob

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Please help me explain to my ESL students the finer points of in vs. at. Why, if your cell phone ... she was inside the house? And if you can be "at" a house why can't you be "at" your bedroom?[/nq]
Because "somebody's house" not only stands for the house as such, but for their home/place/area where somebody lives. In most cases it doesn't matter if you're actually inside or sitting on the porch or in the garden. Only if you want to stress the fact that somebody went into the house (building - as opposed to staying outside) do you use in/into or whatever.Whereas a room only stands for itself. If you're not in your bedroom, you're in another one.
That's how I'd explain it to my ESL students.
[nq:1]And what accounts for the difference between being "in" the hospital or "in" jail and being "at" the hospital or jail?[/nq]
in hospital (see also go to hospital) -> any hospital whereas in the hospital (see rules for a/the) refers to a specific one

same with jail
Luca

"I teach but I'm ready willing able to learn."
-Iriscience

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]And what accounts for the difference between being "in" the hospital or "in" jail and being "at" the hospital or jail?[/nq]
[nq:1]in hospital (see also go to hospital) -> any hospital whereas in the hospital (see rules for a/the) refers to a specific one[/nq]
In BrE, though not I think in AmE, "in hospital" means being in there as a patient, hospitalized, whereas "in the hospital" is generally used in contexts where it means inside the physical building.

Katy Jennison
spamtrap: remove number to reply

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]in hospital (see also go to hospital) -> any hospital whereas in the hospital (see rules for a/the) refers to a specific one[/nq]
[nq:1]In BrE, though not I think in AmE, "in hospital" means being in there as a patient, hospitalized, whereas "in the hospital" is generally used in contexts where it means inside the physical building.[/nq]
Yes, I forgot to mention that.
Luca

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]in hospital (see also go to hospital) -> any hospital whereas in the hospital (see rules for a/the) refers to a specific one[/nq]
[nq:1]In BrE, though not I think in AmE, "in hospital" means being in there as a patient, hospitalized, whereas "in the hospital" is generally used in contexts where it means inside the physical building.[/nq]
"In hospital" is not AmE. But "in jail" is analogously used to specify prisoner status, and would not be said of the guards or other non-prisoners.

Mike Nitabach

Usenet · Answer

>
To simplify, "at" is the union of "in" and "by".
If you were in line for a movie outside the theater, you would likely say "at" the theater if talking to someone
30 miles away, but would be more specific if talking to someonewho is also coming to see the movie.
"At" is more stretchy if you have already been "in". You might be "at" the museum to your caller when you have been to the museum, but are now at a closeby restaurant.

"At" is even more stretchy if you have been "in" and are planning to return to "in". For example, you might say to your caller that you "at" your sister's place, even though you are now walking a mile away with your sister's children.

We use "at" when the distinction between "in" and "by" is not deemed significant to the listener. If our hero is leaving, then the caller knows that he will arrive in 10 minutes from place A, and in 30 minutes from place B.
The real estate agent might say "I am at the Johnson house" or "I am at the Philips house". Inside the kitchen or outside in the garden is presumably something not important to other agents in the office.
The
And if you can be "at" a house
why can't you be "at" your bedroom?
is interesting. We can be "at the bedroom door".
I think it works that way for all interior rooms.
I suppose that anyone interested in the difference is close enough for it to matter which room the other is in. For anyone far away might hear "I am at home".
If working on the outside of the house, you might say "I am at the bedroom".
Richard Maurer To reply, remove half
Sunnyvale, California of a homonym of a synonym for also.

In vs. at

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