AT (PREPOSITIONS)

expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position: they live at Conway Housethey stopped at a small trattoria

used in speech to indicate the sign @ in email addresses, separating the address holders name from their location.

expressing the time when an event takes place: the children go to bed at nine oclockhis death came at a time when the movement was split

(followed by a noun without a determiner) denoting a particular period of time: the sea is cooler at night

(followed by a noun without a determiner) denoting the time spent by someone attending an educational institution or workplace: it was at university that he first began to perform

denoting a particular point or level on a scale: prices start at 18,500driving at 50 mph

referring to someones age: at fourteen he began to work as a postman

expressing a particular state or condition: his ready smile put her at easethey were at a disadvantage

expressing a relationship between an individual and a skill: boxing was the only sport I was any good atshe was getting much better at hiding her reactions

expressing the object of a look, thought, action, or plan: I looked at my watchLeslie pointed at himpolicies aimed at reducing taxation

expressing the target of a shot from a weapon: they tore down the main street, firing at anyone in sight

expressing an incomplete or attempted action, typically involving repeated movements: she clutched at the thin gownhe hit at her face with the gun

expressing the means by which something is done: holding a prison officer at knifepoint figurative her pride had taken a beating at his hands

at all (with negatives or in questions used for emphasis) in any way; to any extent: I dont like him at all Irish added at the end of an utterance for emphasis:what is the matter with you at all?

at it engaged in some activity, typically a reprehensible one: the council is at it again, wanting to turn another green patch into a carpark at first at the beginning; in the initial stage or stages: at first Hugo tried to be patient at a glance immediately upon looking: she saw at a glance what had happened at first glance when seen or considered briefly and for the first time: good news, at first glance, for frequent travellers at first hand directly or from personal experience: scientists observed the process at first hand at first instance Law at the first court hearing concerning a case. See also court of first instance. at the instance of (Formal) at the request or instigation of: prosecution at the instance of the police at first sight on first seeing or meeting someone: it was love at first sight at last (or at long last) in the end; after much delay: youve come back to me at last! at least

not less than; at the minimum: clean the windows at least once a week if nothing else (used to add a positive comment about a generally negative situation): the options arent complete, but at least theyre a start

anyway (used to modify something just stated): they seldom complainedofficially at least

at the least (or very least)

(used after amounts) not less than; at the minimum: stay ten days at the least

taking the most pessimistic or unfavourable view: a programme which is, at the very least, excellent PR for the hospital

at that in addition; furthermore: it was not fog but smoke, and very thick at that where it's at informal the focus of fashion or style: building your own palace is where its at where someone is at informal someones true or fundamental nature or character : I think weve got enough information to have an idea of where hes at at (the) most not more than: the walk took four minutes at the most be the most informal be the best of all. at once

immediately: I fell asleep at once at the same time; simultaneously: computers that can do many things at once

IN (PREPOSITIONS)

expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else: Im living in Londondressed in their Sunday bestshe saw the bus in the rearview mirror

expressing motion with the result that something ends up within or surrounded by something else: dont put coal in the bathhe got in his car and drove off

expressing a period of time during which an event happens or a situation remains the case: they met in 1885at one oclock in the morningI hadnt seen him in years expressing the length of time before a future event is expected to happen: Ill see you in fifteen minutes

(often followed by a noun without a determiner) expressing a state or condition: to be in loveIve got to put my affairs in ordera woman in her thirties

indicating the quality or aspect with respect to which a judgement is made: no discernible difference in quality

expressing inclusion or involvement: I read it in a bookacting in a film indicating someones occupation or profession: she works in publishing indicating the language or medium used: say it in Frenchput it in writing

indicating the key in which a piece of music is written: Mozarts Piano Concerto in E flat

[WITH VERBAL NOUN] as an integral part of (an activity): in planning public expenditure it is better to be prudent

expressing a value as a proportion of (a whole): a local income tax running at six pence in the pound

ADVERB

expressing movement with the result that someone or something becomes enclosed or surrounded by something else: come inpresently the admiral breezed in

expressing the situation of being enclosed or surrounded by something: we were locked in expressing arrival: the train got in very late (of the tide) rising or at its highest level

ADJECTIVE

[PREDIC.] present at ones home or office: we knocked at the door but there was no one in informal fashionable: pastels and light colours are in this yearthe in thing to do [PREDIC.] (of the ball in tennis and similar games) landing within the designated playing area

[PREDIC.] Cricket batting: which side is in?

PHRASES be in for have good reason to expect (something, typically something unpleasant): shes in for a shock (be in for it) have good reason to expect trouble or retribution. have got it bad (or badly) be very powerfully affected emotionally, especially by love

all in informal exhausted: he was all in by half-timeSee also all-in. all in all on the whole: all in all its been a good year in all in total number; altogether: there were about 5,000 people in all in and out of being a frequent visitor to (a house) or frequent inmate of (an institution): they were in and out of each others houses all dayhe was in and out of jail for most of his twenties in on privy to (a secret) (in) so far as (or that) to the extent that: the play was a great success so far as attendance was concerned in that for the reason that: I was fortunate in that I had friends in with (informal) on friendly terms with: the Krays were in with a couple of MPs the ins and outs (informal) all the details

ON (PREPOSITION)

physically in contact with and supported by (a surface): on the table was a water jugshe was lying on the floora sign on the front gate

located somewhere in the general surface area of (a place): an internment camp on the islandthe house on the corner

as a result of accidental physical contact with: he banged his head on a beam supported by (a part of the body): he was lying on his back MORE EXAMPLE SENTENCESSYNONYMS

on to: put it on the table

in the possession of; being carried by: she only had a few pounds on her

forming a distinctive or marked part of the surface of: a scratch on her arma smile on her face

having (the thing mentioned) as a topic; about: a book on careers

having (the thing mentioned) as a basis: a constitution modelled on Americas

as a member of (a committee, jury, or other body): they would be allowed to serve on committees

having (the thing mentioned) as a target, aim, or focus: five air raids on Schweinfurtthousands marching on Washingtonher eyes were fixed on his dark profile

(often followed by a noun without a determiner) having (the thing mentioned) as a medium for transmitting or storing information: put your ideas down on paperstored on the clients own computer

being broadcast by (a radio or television channel): a new twelve-part TV series on Channel 4

in the course of (a journey): he was on his way to see his mother

while travelling in (a public vehicle): John got some sleep on the plane on to (a public vehicle) with the intention of travelling in it: we got on the train

indicating the day or part of a day during which an event takes place: reported on September 26on a very hot evening in July

at the time of: she was booed on arriving home

engaged in: his attendant was out on errands regularly taking (a drug or medicine): he is on morphine to relieve the pain paid for by: the drinks are on me added to: a few pence on the electricity bill is nothing compared with your security

ADVERB

physically in contact with and supported by a surface: make sure the lid is on

(of clothing) being worn by a person: sitting with her coat on further forward; in an advanced state: Ill see you later ontimes getting on

indicating continuation of a movement or action: she burbled onhe drove onand so on

(of an event) taking place or being presented: whats on at the May Festivaltheres a good film on this afternoon

due to take place as planned: the match is still on

(of an electrical appliance or power supply) functioning: they always left the lights on

(of an actor) on stage

(of an employee) working; on duty

NOUN

(also on side) Cricket the leg side

PHRASES be on about (British informal) talk about tediously and at length: shes always on about doing ones duty be on at someone (British informal) nag or grumble at someone. be on to someone informal be close to discovering the truth about an illegal or undesirable activity that someone is engaging in. be on to something (informa)l have an idea or information that is likely to lead to an important discovery it's not on (informa)l its impractical or unacceptable on and off intermittently: it rained on and off most of the afternoon on and on continually; at tedious length: he went on and on about his grandads trombone on it (Australian /NZ informal) drinking heavily. on to

moving to a location on the surface of: they went up on to the ridge moving aboard (a public service vehicle) with the intention of travelling in it: we got on to the train

what are you on? (informal) said to express incredulity at someones behaviour, with the implication that they must be under the influence of drugs:What were you on when you made that track, man? you're on (informal) said by way of accepting a challenge or bet.