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Adonis1013 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
The usage of in and at
Could you explain the differences between “in” and “at” in the following
sentences? Thank you for your help.
Generally speaking, “in” take a larger place as its object and “at” take a
relatively small place as its object. For example, we arrive in New York.
We arrive at the international airport.
However, I could not use the above rule to explain the following sentences.
I work as a clerk in the gas station. The gas station should be viewed as a
small place. I work as a clerk at the gas station. In addition, I also hear people saying "i live in an aparment not "at an apartment". My explanation is that a gas station is a outdoor place where people work. However, a apartment is an indoor space where people live. Is there any other explnations.
Thannk you very much.
sentences? Thank you for your help.
Generally speaking, “in” take a larger place as its object and “at” take a
relatively small place as its object. For example, we arrive in New York.
We arrive at the international airport.
However, I could not use the above rule to explain the following sentences.
I work as a clerk in the gas station. The gas station should be viewed as a
small place. I work as a clerk at the gas station. In addition, I also hear people saying "i live in an aparment not "at an apartment". My explanation is that a gas station is a outdoor place where people work. However, a apartment is an indoor space where people live. Is there any other explnations.
Thannk you very much.
Top answer
It is not that it is a small or large space-- it is that it appears in the mind's eye as a point reference or as a 2- or 3-dimensional space. If the speaker is thinking of the vast city, he says I arrived in New York ; if he is thinking of a point on the map, as opposed to other cities, he says I arrived at New York . You can work at or in a gas station : it is a matter of whether you are viewing it as a point, a place along the highway, or as a structure and you're within it.
- It is not that it is a small or large space-- it is that it appears in the mind's eye as a point reference or as a 2- or 3-dimensional space.
- If the speaker is thinking of the vast city, he says I arrived in New York ; if he is thinking of a point on the map, as opposed to other cities, he says I arrived at New York .
- You can work at or in a gas station : it is a matter of whether you are viewing it as a point, a place along the highway, or as a structure and you're within it.
- living.
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10 Answers
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It is not that it is a small or large space-- it is that it appears in the mind's eye as a point reference or as a 2- or 3-dimensional space. If the speaker is thinking of the vast city, he says I arrived in New York; if he is thinking of a point on the map, as opposed to other cities, he says I arrived at New York.
You can work at or in a gas stati
You can work at or in a gas stati
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Large and small have nothing to do with it. There are many cases where both prepositions are correct. These are all possible:
I work at a gas station. / I work in a gas station.
It happened at the gas station. / It happened in the gas station.
_____________
To my ear, at the gas station treats gas station as a place of b
I work at a gas station. / I work in a gas station.
It happened at the gas station. / It happened in the gas station.
_____________
To my ear, at the gas station treats gas station as a place of b
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Im writing a book report and I want to say at the end,
"So that was my book report. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it."
"So that is my book report. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it."
Are they both right? Thanks
"So that was my book report. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it."
"So that is my book report. Hope you guys enjoyed reading it."
Are they both right? Thanks
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If you are writing the report, neither of those sentences is appropriate. Omit them.
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What is more important is your involvement with the thing for example if u say
"I'm at university." or "I'm in university." , both the structure are correct but vary in degree of involvement. "in" is higher degree of involvement whereas "at" is cursory.
"I'm at university." or "I'm in university." , both the structure are correct but vary in degree of involvement. "in" is higher degree of involvement whereas "at" is cursory.
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how about, what's more correct?
> you're good AT expressing yourself. ? or > you're good IN expressing yourself?
> you're good AT expressing yourself. ? or > you're good IN expressing yourself?
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"In addition, I also hear people saying..."
I believe "also" is redundant.
I believe "also" is redundant.
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Hi,
Note that redundant words are often used to add emphasis, particularly in casual speech.
Note that redundant words are often used to add emphasis, particularly in casual speech.
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