IN, ON or AT? Use the PYRAMID OF PREPOSITIONS! | Easy English Grammar

Summary

The video script introduces the 'Great Pyramid of In, On, At' as a tool to understand English prepositions related to place and time. It explains that 'in' is used for large areas and long periods, 'on' for surfaces and medium time spans, and 'at' for specific spots and moments. The script also covers exceptions, including enclosed spaces, transportation, media, and general times of day, providing examples to clarify the rules and offering a free trial for an English learning community.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The script introduces the 'Great Pyramid of In, On, At' as a tool to help English learners understand the correct use of these prepositions in relation to place and time.
• 🌍 'In' is used for large areas such as continents, countries, cities, and neighborhoods, indicating that something is within a larger geographical or abstract space.
• 🛣️ 'On' is appropriate for surfaces and mediumsized places like streets, roads, and floors, emphasizing being atop a flat surface.
• 🏢 'At' is used for specific spots such as buildings and addresses, highlighting a particular point or location.
• 🕰️ For time, 'In' is used for long periods like decades, years, seasons, months, and weeks, as well as for the general past and future.
• 📅 'On' is utilized for medium time spans including weekends, days, and parts of days, focusing on specific but non-momentary times.
• ⏰ 'At' is reserved for precise moments in time, such as 'at 5:30 p.m.' or 'at the moment', denoting exact instances.
• 🏠 'In' can also refer to enclosed spaces where one is physically inside, like in a room or a vehicle.
• 🚗 The choice between 'in', 'on', and 'at' for transportation depends on the size and type of vehicle, with 'on' for large vehicles and 'in' for smaller, personal ones.
• 🎥 Media usage of prepositions varies; 'in' is used for movies, videos, and books, while 'on' is for TV shows, podcasts, and the radio.
• 🌅 General times of the day are described with specific prepositions: 'in' for morning, afternoon, and evening, 'at' for noon, night, and dawn.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the 'Great Pyramid of in, on, at'?

The 'Great Pyramid of in, on, at' is a mnemonic device used to help English learners understand and remember when to use the prepositions 'in', 'on', and 'at' in relation to places and times.

Which preposition is used for large areas such as continents, countries, and cities?

The preposition 'in' is used for large areas like continents, countries, and cities.

What preposition is appropriate for talking about surfaces like roads, streets, and floors?

The preposition 'on' is used when talking about surfaces such as roads, streets, and floors.

When should the preposition 'at' be used in the context of places?

The preposition 'at' should be used when referring to specific spots like buildings or addresses.

How does the 'Great Pyramid of in, on, at' apply to time?

The 'Great Pyramid of in, on, at' applies to time by using 'in' for long periods, 'on' for medium periods, and 'at' for specific moments.

What preposition is used when talking about the general past or future?

The preposition 'in' is used when referring to the general past or future.

Which preposition is suitable for referring to weekends, days, and parts of days?

The preposition 'on' is used for referring to weekends, days, and parts of days.

What preposition should be used when talking about a specific moment in time?

The preposition 'at' is used when discussing a specific moment in time.

How does the script differentiate between enclosed spaces and other places when using prepositions?

For enclosed spaces where people go inside, like rooms or elevators, the script suggests using 'in' to indicate being inside of something.

What is the rule for using prepositions with different types of transportation?

For large vehicles with many passengers, 'on' is used, while 'in' is used for small vehicles with a few passengers, and 'on' is also used for single-passenger vehicles like motorcycles.

How does the script guide the use of prepositions with media?

The script suggests using 'in' for movies, videos, or books, and 'on' for TV shows, podcasts, or the radio.

What are the set phrases used for general times of the day according to the script?

The script indicates using 'in the morning', 'in the afternoon', 'in the evening', 'at noon', and 'at night' for general times of the day.