0
Adrianna Mj Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

In/at a museum

Hello!

I have a question about the difference between:
"to be in a museum"
and
"to be at a museum"

I feel that the meaning of "I am in a museum" is that I am physically present in the building but I'm not necessarily watching the exhibits, etc., whereas the sentence "I am at a museum" means that apart from being there I also have a ticket and I'm going round the place watching the exhibits. Am I right about this or not?

And in my opinion we should say:

"You are at the museum. You mustn't touch the exhibits!"

Is that correct or both ''at'' and ''in'' are correct?
  

Top answer

Hello, Adrianna Mj—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member. Adrianna Mj Am I right about this or not?

— Mister Micawber

  • Hello, Adrianna Mj—and welcome to English Forums.
  • Thank you for registering as a member.
  • Adrianna Mj Am I right about this or not?
  • You are reading too much into each preposition.
  • All that may be indicated is that 'in a museum' is within the 3-dimensional structure, while 'at the museum' indicates a point in the city in contradistinction to another location.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

2 Answers
0
Hello, Adrianna Mj—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.
Adrianna MjAm I right about this or not?
You are reading too much into each preposition. All that may be indicated is that 'in a museum' is within the 3-dimensional structure, while 'at the museum' indicates a point in the city in contradistinction to another location.
0
0
Mister MicawberHello, Adrianna Mj—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.
Thank you very much! I'm happy to be here
0

Related Questions