"what is the difference between "in" and "at"? When do we say at the zoo or at the restaurant and when in?

Answer 1

IN : used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits b : INTO 1

AT : used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near
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so basically, in the store would mean inside the store. and at the store could just mean you are standing outside of the store. but you could substitute at for in, but not in for at.

hope that helps

Answer 2

Generally speaking (and I mean very generally), you should use "in" if the place is capable of containing you, and "at" if it isn't. Thus, you'd be in your office, but at the park.

But even that answer is pretty deceptive, and it'll lead you wrong sometimes. For instance: One is "at" the house, even though technically, one should be "in" it. The playground equipment is "in" the park, even though a person would be "at" the park. Animals are "in" the zoo, but visitors are "at" the zoo. Patrons are "at" the restaurant, but tables and food are "in" the restaurant.

In short, the language -- like most languages -- isn't always consistent. The reason for this is that it wasn't built logically from scratch, but instead developed over a long period of time, during which people who spoke the language were conquered several times (or conquered others), and other habits from other languages leaked in, or transformed the way the language worked. The English language, for instance, combines elements of Germanic tongues spoken by Anglo-Saxons, and Romance languages, such as French. As a blend of all these languages, it shouldn't be surprising that it doesn't always make sense.

Thus, the only way you can really learn when to use "in" and "at" is to pick it up "by ear" and not think about it too much in the meantime. You'll just hurt your brain for no reason. Think of every usage as a different "figure of speech" or bit of slang, and develop an ear for them.

Answer 3

I think the difference is personal involvement. For example:

"I'm in the Ringling Brothers circus." "I'm in the kitchen." "I'm in the movie theater." "I'm in my my office." Those things all denote physical location in that you are in the center of whatever makes the place unique. But it also denotes the level of personal involvement. You are not only there, but you are in the middle of things and involved in them. In the case of the circus, you must work there or are a guest performing there to be "in" it. In the case of the movie theater -- you've just said that not only are you at the cinema, but you are implying that you are in your seat and the movie is playing or about to start -- you are involved.

"I'm at the Ringling Brothers circus." "I'm at the restuarant." "I'm at the movie theater." "I'm at Sam's office." These things imply that you are at a location, but not directly involved in the mechanics of making it happen. You are watching the circus. You are eating at the restaurant. You are at the movie theater waiting in line for a ticket. You are at your lawyer's office to complain about your settlement. Physical location is the important part of these with involvement being passive or indirect at best.

Answer 4

RE:
"what is the difference between "in" and "at"? When do we say at the zoo or at the restaurant and when in?

Answer 5

When you use in, you mean inside a specific place (I am in the kitchen). When you use at, you mean you are at a place in general (I am at the house).

Answer 6

AT A PLACE IN INSIDEOR CIRCUMSTANCE