English Grammar

Correct Use of Some Preposition

In is used with the names of continents, countries, states, sizeable territories and large cities. At is used with the names of small towns, villages etc.

He met his girlfriend at a club.
My sister lives in London.
She lives at Kochi in Kerala.

Read the following sentences.

He sat at the table.
He sat on the table.

At used in the first sentence means that he sat on a chair that was lying close to the table. On used in the second sentence means that he sat on top of the table.

Between is used in speaking of two people or things. Among is used in speaking of more than two people or things.

The boy sat between his parents.
She sat among the kids.

Between can also be used in speaking of more than two people or things when we have a definite number in mind.

Switzerland lies between France, Germany, Italy and Austria.

Beside means at or by the side of; besides means ‘in addition to’ or ‘other than’.

She sat beside him.
Nobody, besides John, could have done that.

In means at the end of; within means before the end of.

He will return in a week. (= at the end of a week)
He will return within a week. (= before the end of a week)

Since shows the starting point; for denotes duration.

We have been waiting since morning. We have been waiting for six hours. We have lived here since 1995. We have been living here for 14 years.

On indicates actual contact with the object; over does not indicate physical contact.

He put the pen on the table. (There is actual contact between the pen and the table.)
Thick mist hung over the city.

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