Hands Which Cannot Write

In, On, At

The following are the most commonly used prepositions and their use.

IN, ON, and AT basic meanings:

In is used for general subjects.
On is used for more specific subject.
At is used for most specific subjects.

A. IN, ON, and AT for time meanings.

In is the most general.

Example: I was born in 1994.

Hashi: Kaya most general dahil taon lang 'yong sinabi. Walang exact month and day na ibinigay. It could be December 25, 1994 or December 26, 1994.

On is more specific than in.

Example: I was born on December 27, 1994.

Hashi: Oh, 'di ba? Mas specific na siya dahil may month and day na nakalagay.

At is the most specific.

Example: I was born at 11:59 P.M. on December 27, 1994.

Hashi: Kaya naman 'to most specific dahil sinabi na mismo 'yong exact time and date of birth.

B. IN, ON, AT for space messages.

In is the most general.

Example: I live in Davao.

Hashi: Katulad sa time meaning, this is the most general because it could be anywhere in Davao. No specific street or city was stated, basta sa Davao.

On is more specific than in.

Example: I live on 17th Street.

Hashi: Obviously it is more specific dahil may street na binanggit, though it isn't that specific dahil p'wedeng may kagaya 'tong street sa ibang lugar.

At is the most specific.

- Usually the order is from MORE SPECIFIC to MORE GENERAL. However, the name of the town or city can be given first. The number and the name of the street remain together.

Example: I live at 3892 17th Street in Davao.

Hashi: Again, eto na 'yong pinaka-specific dahil binigay na 'yong full address. Hindi na nilagyan ng 'on' bago ang '17th Street' dahil sabi nga ay magkasama ang NUMBER at NAME ng STREET.

Credits:

Perspectives 7; Cruz • Cruz-Arbozo • Rodriguez-Relucio • Herrera, JO-ES Publishing.