When to use the prepositions "at" and "to" in english?

Question

A french friend of mine asked me to explain when to use the prepositions "at" and "to" in english. The problem is that in French they have one prepstion to mean both "at" and "to". I can think of loads of examples where these prepositions are used, but i can't think of any hard and fast rules! any ideas?
(et, si qqn parle le francais, je serais reconaissant si l'on peut repondre en francais, c'est plus facile pour moi comme ca! merci!)

merci tout le monde! Thanks everyone!
...et t'inquites pas "Abbyacid" tu parles bien le francais, mais c'est "je ne pense pas que je puisse" (il faut utiliser le subjonctif)

Answer 1

At work-to work
at play-to play
no hard and fast rules as with other languages
That is why the English language is very hard to learn.
Example there,their.

Answer 2

il faut ne penser pas en une langue et ensuite traduire a une autre. Voila la probleme. Il faut etre dans cette langue sans penser de l'autre. Vous auriez beaucoup plus des problemes en Chinois.

Answer 3

At the tone, the time will be 3:00 p.m. BEEP!

We live at the same time as others who have don't live but merely exist.

To sell more product, we must advertise.

Six to ten, the baby's going to be a boy.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, 'at' is used for 'in that place' and 'to' for 'to that place'.
E.g. I am going to the cinema tonight.( Je vais au cinema ce soir)
There's a good film showing at the cinema. (On passe un bon film au cinema)
Another example: My sister goes to the office every day. (Ma soeur va au bureau chaque jour)
She has her own desk at the office.(Elle a sa propre table au bureau)
There are other subtle differences, but I hope this helps for a start!

Answer 5

je peux parler français (un peu!), mais je ne pense pas que je peux répondre en français, parce que je ne suis pas très bon!

examples of to:
"it's quarter to three"
"i'm going to the shops"

examples of at:
"i woke up at seven"
"i'll meet you at the shops"

Answer 6

At is used for time and places: At 12 o'clock, or at school.
To applies to movement as in: go to school.
Rather simplistic answer, hope it helps.

Answer 7

At is use before time( at midnigh)
use before an age (at seven year old)

Answer 8

at is already there.
to is not yet there.

There was someone at the door.
The man was coming to(wards) the door.

Answer 9

à - preposition - traduction anglaise (explication)

à prep to
à prep to (in dedication)
à prep to (against, next to)
à prep to (in comparison with)
à au, à la prep on
à position, direction prep on (position, direction)
à prep on (immediately after or before)
à prep at (arrival)
à prep at (time, frequency)
à prep at
à prep at (age)
à prep upon
à prep till (time)

Bonne chance! ☺