in/at a diner

Question

What is correct: to be in a diner or to be at a diner?Thanks, Michael

Paco2004 · Accepted Answer

Michi2000What is correct: to be in a diner or to be at a diner?

"I'll be at a dinner"

paco

MrPedantic · Answer

I suppose if you were "in" a diner, you would have to be "inside"; but if you were "at" a diner, you could either be "inside" (maybe eating) or "just outside" (maybe waiting for someone).

MrP

Danyoo · Answer

Someone recently asked a similar question.

In the library vs. At the library.

You can apply the exact same logic as the one MrP provided above.

CalifJim · Answer

If you are in a diner, you should say that you are in the diner.
If you are at a diner, you should say that you are at the diner.

It's not a question of whether one is correct and the other incorrect. It's a matter of using the one that is correct for what you want to say. "in" is more specific than "at". You have to be physically inside the walls of the building to be "in" it. Not so for "at". You might be standing outside of the diner, for example, in the parking lot. Then you could say that you were at the diner, but not in it. If you are physically inside you can say either one.

CJ

in/at a diner

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