How must I use the prepositions 'in', 'at' or 'on' when I'm talking about places?

Question

I'm learning English as a second language. I speak Spanish, and in this language for referring to one place we use the preposition 'en', for example: Estoy en el cinema.

Answer 1

AT
1. at is used to talk about a position or a point
It's very hot at the centre of the Earth

2. sometimes we use at for a larger place when we think of it as a point: a point on a journey, a meeting place or the place where something happens
Let's meet at the station
The plane stops for an hour at Frankfurt

3. we use at when we give the house number
He lives at 73 Albert Street

4. with some expressions
at home/school/work/university/college

ON
1. on is used to talk about a position on a line
Strattford is on the River Avon

2. also for position on a surface
The book is on the table

3. we say on and off for buses, planes an trains
He's arriving on the 3.15 train

4. we use on for the number of the floor
I have a flat on the third floor

5. with some expressions
on a page

IN
1. in is used for position in a tridimensional space (when something is surrounded on all sides)
I think he's in the office

2. we use in if we only give the name of a street
She lives in Albert Street

3. With some expressions
in a picture
in the sky
in bed/in hospital/prison/church

Answer 2

Revisa esta dirección:

http://www.mansioningles.com

En la Gramática mira el apartado de preposiciones donde te lo explica.
También lo explican en el Curso Básico.

Suerte

Answer 3

Examples:

In what state is the city of Atlanta?

The capital building is in Washington, DC.

The gas station is located at the corner of Lexington Street and 22nd Avenue.
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Do not make the mistake that many Americans make of using 'at' like "Where's it at?" That's bad grammar.

Answer 4

In a place with a name -- i.e. a city, country, etc. In France, in Venice, in his home town.
At a building -- e.g. at work, at the cinema, at the hairdresser's. You can think of it as the equivalent of "al".

Answer 5

Never use "on" for places = buildings, unless it is physically on the building. The flag on the building.

Senor.. it becomes even more complicated. When you talk about school, church, or hospital.

I am going to church to participate in the service / lesson / treatment .
I am going to the church to wait for the bus.
I am going into the church to .... see the artwork.
I caught the bus at the church (in front of the church).
I saw him in church.

substitute 'school' or 'hospital ' for all these examples.