In, on, and at are used to talk about places:

We use in with enclosed spaces (e.g. rooms, buildings), and with limited areas (e.g. towns, parks, countries, continents):

We use on with surfaces (e.g. walls, floors, shelves) and lines (e.g. paths, coasts, the equator):

We use at with a point (e.g. at the bus stop), and at with a building, when we mean either inside or outside:

• A: Let’s meet at the cinema. (= Here it’s not clear if the speaker means inside or outside)
• B: Shall we meet in the cinema itself or on the pavement outside?

Here are some other prepositions of place:

• I sat between Peter and Sophie on the plane; Kasia was sitting in front of me, and Karol was behind
• Kasia talked to the passenger next to/beside
• Buda lies opposite Pest; together they are the city of Budapest.
• We sat down to rest under a large tree.
• Please leave the flowers outside my room. (= not in my room)

Into, onto, and to are used to talk about movement:

• We moved the chairs into my bedroom.
• The actor ran onto the stage.
• They walked to the next town.

The opposites are out of, off, and from:

• We moved the chairs out of my bedroom.
• The actor ran off the stage.
• We drove from London to Edinburgh.

Here are other prepositions of movement:

• They ran across the field to the road.
• Jim cycled along the road to the next town.
• I walked up the hill and ran down the other side.
• The bus went past the bus stop without stopping.
• The train goes through three tunnels.

In, on, and at are also used to talk about time:

We use in with years, seasons, and months:

Notice also:

We use on with days and dates:

We use at for times:

Notice also: