C H A P T E R 10

Choosing the Correct Preposition

The most confusing prepositions are those relating to space and
time, such as at, on, into, onto, and to. The dictionary is the best place
to check the use of prepositions with the verbs they accompany.
Remember the following rules when using common prepositions:

1. At can be used to indicate a location or a time:

at the lake

at Thanksgiving

2. On can be used to indicate a surface or a time:

on the counter

on Friday

3. In can be used to indicate the location of something
enclosed (within) or to indicate a time:

in the house

in the neighborhood

in a few minutes

in winter

4. Into can be used to indicate direction within (sometimes
used figuratively):

into Arizona

into the library

into trouble

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