Blog about English
Commonly confused prepositions and differences in meaning.
Practice: build the sentences →Some English prepositions have closely related meanings but cannot be freely exchanged because their grammatical or semantic functions differ.
Commonly confused pairs include at and in, on and in, to and for, by and with, for and since, and by and until.
She is at the station.
Она на вокзале.
"At" treats the station as a point location.
She is in the station.
Она внутри вокзала.
"In" emphasizes being inside the building.
The keys are on the table.
Ключи на столе.
"On" indicates a surface.
The keys are in the drawer.
Ключи в ящике.
"In" indicates an enclosed space.
We met at 7 o'clock.
Мы встретились в 7 часов.
"At" is used with exact times.
We met on Monday.
Мы встретились в понедельник.
"On" is used with days.
I went to London.
Я поехал в Лондон.
"To" indicates destination.
This gift is for Mary.
Этот подарок для Мэри.
"For" indicates intended recipient.
At commonly treats a place as a point or location, while in emphasizes being inside an area or enclosed space.
Compare She is at the station with She is in the station.
She is at the station.
Она на вокзале.
"At" treats the place as a point.
She is in the station.
Она внутри вокзала.
"In" emphasizes being inside.
He is at the door.
Он у двери.
"At" indicates a point location.
He is in the room.
Он в комнате.
"In" indicates an enclosed space.
We met at the bus stop.
Мы встретились на автобусной остановке.
"At" treats the bus stop as a point.
We met in the car.
Мы встретились в машине.
"In" indicates being inside a small vehicle.
She is at the airport.
Она в аэропорту.
"At" treats the airport as a location point.
She is in the building.
Она в здании.
"In" emphasizes being inside the building.
In is generally used for enclosed spaces or areas, while on is commonly used for surfaces and lines.
Compare The keys are in the drawer with The keys are on the table.
The keys are in the drawer.
Ключи в ящике.
"In" indicates an enclosed space.
The keys are on the table.
Ключи на столе.
"On" indicates a surface.
The book is in the bag.
Книга в сумке.
"In" indicates being inside a container.
The book is on the shelf.
Книга на полке.
"On" indicates a surface.
She is in the room.
Она в комнате.
"In" indicates an enclosed space.
The picture is on the wall.
Картина на стене.
"On" indicates a surface.
The cat is in the box.
Кошка в коробке.
"In" indicates an enclosed space.
The cat is on the sofa.
Кошка на диване.
"On" indicates a surface.
At is commonly used for exact times, while on is used for days and dates.
For example, at 7 o’clock but on Monday and on 15 August.
We met at 7 o'clock.
Мы встретились в 7 часов.
"At" is used with exact times.
We met on Monday.
Мы встретились в понедельник.
"On" is used with days.
The meeting is at noon.
Собрание в полдень.
"At" is used with exact times.
The meeting is on 15 August.
Собрание 15 августа.
"On" is used with dates.
She called at midnight.
Она позвонила в полночь.
"At" is used with exact times.
She called on my birthday.
Она позвонила в мой день рождения.
"On" is used with specific days.
The train leaves at 3 p.m.
Поезд отправляется в 3 часа дня.
"At" is used with exact times.
The train leaves on Friday.
Поезд отправляется в пятницу.
"On" is used with days.
On is used with days and dates, while in is used with months, years, seasons, and longer periods.
For example, on Tuesday, on 1 July, in July, and in 2026.
We met on Tuesday.
Мы встретились во вторник.
"On" is used with days.
We met in July.
Мы встретились в июле.
"In" is used with months.
The event is on 1 July.
Мероприятие 1 июля.
"On" is used with dates.
The event is in 2026.
Мероприятие в 2026 году.
"In" is used with years.
She was born on 5 May.
Она родилась 5 мая.
"On" is used with dates.
She was born in May.
Она родилась в мае.
"In" is used with months.
We have a party on Saturday.
У нас вечеринка в субботу.
"On" is used with days.
We have a party in summer.
У нас вечеринка летом.
"In" is used with seasons.
To often expresses destination, direction, or a relationship involving a recipient, while for commonly expresses purpose, benefit, or intended recipient.
Compare I went to London with This present is for Mary.
I went to London.
Я поехал в Лондон.
"To" indicates destination.
This present is for Mary.
Этот подарок для Мэри.
"For" indicates intended recipient.
She gave the book to John.
Она дала книгу Джону.
"To" indicates recipient of an action.
I bought a gift for her.
Я купил подарок для неё.
"For" indicates intended recipient.
He spoke to the manager.
Он поговорил с менеджером.
"To" indicates the person addressed.
I waited for the bus.
Я ждал автобус.
"For" indicates the thing awaited.
We drove to the airport.
Мы поехали в аэропорт.
"To" indicates destination.
She made a cake for us.
Она приготовила торт для нас.
"For" indicates intended recipient.
Some verbs require to while others require for, and the choice is determined by the verb pattern and intended meaning.
For example, listen to music, wait for the bus, speak to someone, and pay for something.
listen to music
слушать музыку
"Listen to" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
wait for the bus
ждать автобус
"Wait for" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
speak to someone
говорить с кем-то
"Speak to" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
pay for something
платить за что-то
"Pay for" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
look at the picture
смотреть на картину
"Look at" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
look for keys
искать ключи
"Look for" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
talk to a friend
говорить с другом
"Talk to" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
ask for help
просить помощи
"Ask for" is a fixed verb-preposition pattern.
By commonly identifies an agent, means, or deadline, while with commonly identifies an instrument, accompaniment, or material.
For example, written by Jane, travel by train, finish by Friday, cut with a knife, and go with a friend.
The letter was written by Jane.
Письмо было написано Джейн.
"By" identifies the agent.
He cut it with a knife.
Он разрезал это ножом.
"With" identifies the instrument.
We travelled by train.
Мы путешествовали на поезде.
"By" identifies the means of transport.
She went with a friend.
Она пошла с другом.
"With" identifies accompaniment.
Finish the report by Friday.
Закончите отчёт к пятнице.
"By" identifies a deadline.
She wrote the letter with a pen.
Она написала письмо ручкой.
"With" identifies the instrument.
The cake was made by my grandmother.
Торт был приготовлен моей бабушкой.
"By" identifies the agent.
The cake was made with chocolate.
Торт был приготовлен с шоколадом.
"With" identifies the material or ingredient.
By identifies the agent performing an action in a passive construction, while with can identify an instrument or means.
Compare The door was opened by John with The door was opened with a key.
The door was opened by John.
Дверь была открыта Джоном.
"By" identifies the agent performing the action.
The door was opened with a key.
Дверь была открыта ключом.
"With" identifies the instrument used.
The cake was made by my grandmother.
Торт был приготовлен моей бабушкой.
"By" identifies the agent.
The cake was made with chocolate.
Торт был приготовлен с шоколадом.
"With" identifies the ingredient.
The letter was written by Mary.
Письмо было написано Мэри.
"By" identifies the agent.
The letter was written with a pen.
Письмо было написано ручкой.
"With" identifies the instrument.
The window was broken by a ball.
Окно было разбито мячом.
"By" identifies the cause.
The window was broken with a hammer.
Окно было разбито молотком.
"With" identifies the instrument.
By expresses a deadline by which something happens, while until expresses the endpoint of a continuing action or state.
Compare Finish the work by Friday with Stay here until Friday.
Finish the work by Friday.
Закончите работу к пятнице.
"By" expresses a deadline.
Stay here until Friday.
Оставайтесь здесь до пятницы.
"Until" expresses an endpoint of a continuing action.
I will be there by 6 o'clock.
Я буду там к 6 часам.
"By" expresses a deadline.
Wait until 6 o'clock.
Ждите до 6 часов.
"Until" expresses an endpoint.
She will arrive by noon.
Она прибудет к полудню.
"By" expresses a deadline.
She will stay until noon.
Она останется до полудня.
"Until" expresses an endpoint.
Submit the report by Monday.
Сдайте отчёт к понедельнику.
"By" expresses a deadline.
Keep the book until Monday.
Держите книгу до понедельника.
"Until" expresses an endpoint.
For expresses duration, while since introduces the starting point of a continuing period.
Compare I have lived here for five years with I have lived here since 2021.
I have lived here for five years.
Я живу здесь пять лет.
"For" expresses duration.
I have lived here since 2021.
Я живу здесь с 2021 года.
"Since" introduces the starting point.
She has worked here for ten years.
Она работает здесь десять лет.
"For" expresses duration.
She has worked here since 2015.
Она работает здесь с 2015 года.
"Since" introduces the starting point.
We have been friends for many years.
Мы друзья много лет.
"For" expresses duration.
We have been friends since childhood.
Мы друзья с детства.
"Since" introduces the starting point.
He has been waiting for an hour.
Он ждёт час.
"For" expresses duration.
He has been waiting since noon.
Он ждёт с полудня.
"Since" introduces the starting point.
During identifies the period when an event occurs, while for identifies the duration of an activity or state.
Compare We met during the summer with We stayed there for two weeks.
We met during the summer.
Мы встретились летом.
"During" identifies the period when an event occurs.
We stayed there for two weeks.
Мы оставались там две недели.
"For" identifies the duration of an activity.
I fell asleep during the film.
Я заснул во время фильма.
"During" identifies the period.
I slept for two hours.
Я спал два часа.
"For" identifies duration.
She worked during the night.
Она работала ночью.
"During" identifies the period.
She worked for eight hours.
Она работала восемь часов.
"For" identifies duration.
He called during the meeting.
Он позвонил во время собрания.
"During" identifies the period.
He talked for ten minutes.
Он говорил десять минут.
"For" identifies duration.
During is a preposition followed by a noun phrase, while while is a conjunction followed by a clause.
Compare during the meeting with while we were meeting.
during the meeting
во время собрания
"During" is a preposition followed by a noun phrase.
while we were meeting
пока мы совещались
"While" is a conjunction followed by a clause.
during the film
во время фильма
"During" is a preposition.
while the film was playing
пока шёл фильм
"While" is a conjunction.
during lunch
во время обеда
"During" is a preposition.
while we were eating lunch
пока мы ели обед
"While" is a conjunction.
during the night
в течение ночи
"During" is a preposition.
while it was raining
пока шёл дождь
"While" is a conjunction.
In generally describes location, while into describes movement from outside to inside.
Compare She is in the room with She walked into the room.
She is in the room.
Она в комнате.
"In" describes location.
She walked into the room.
Она вошла в комнату.
"Into" describes movement from outside to inside.
The book is in the bag.
Книга в сумке.
"In" describes location.
He put the book into the bag.
Он положил книгу в сумку.
"Into" describes movement from outside to inside.
The cat is in the box.
Кошка в коробке.
"In" describes location.
The cat jumped into the box.
Кошка прыгнула в коробку.
"Into" describes movement from outside to inside.
He is in the car.
Он в машине.
"In" describes location.
He got into the car.
Он сел в машину.
"Into" describes movement from outside to inside.
On generally describes location on a surface, while onto emphasizes movement to that surface.
Compare The book is on the table with She put the book onto the table.
The book is on the table.
Книга на столе.
"On" describes location on a surface.
She put the book onto the table.
Она положила книгу на стол.
"Onto" emphasizes movement to a surface.
The cup is on the shelf.
Чашка на полке.
"On" describes location on a surface.
He placed the cup onto the shelf.
Он поставил чашку на полку.
"Onto" emphasizes movement to a surface.
The cat is on the sofa.
Кошка на диване.
"On" describes location on a surface.
The cat jumped onto the sofa.
Кошка прыгнула на диван.
"Onto" emphasizes movement to a surface.
The picture is on the wall.
Картина на стене.
"On" describes location on a surface.
She hung the picture onto the wall.
Она повесила картину на стену.
"Onto" emphasizes movement to a surface.
To normally presents a destination, while towards indicates direction without necessarily implying arrival.
Compare She walked to the station with She walked towards the station.
She walked to the station.
Она пошла на вокзал.
"To" presents a destination.
She walked towards the station.
Она пошла в сторону вокзала.
"Towards" indicates direction without necessarily implying arrival.
He ran to the door.
Он подбежал к двери.
"To" presents a destination.
He ran towards the door.
Он побежал к двери.
"Towards" indicates direction without necessarily implying arrival.
The car drove to London.
Машина поехала в Лондон.
"To" presents a destination.
The car drove towards London.
Машина поехала в сторону Лондона.
"Towards" indicates direction without necessarily implying arrival.
She swam to the shore.
Она поплыла к берегу.
"To" presents a destination.
She swam towards the shore.
Она поплыла в сторону берега.
"Towards" indicates direction without necessarily implying arrival.
Through describes movement within or through an enclosed or surrounding space, while across describes movement from one side of a surface or area to another.
Compare We walked through the tunnel with We walked across the bridge.
We walked through the tunnel.
Мы прошли через туннель.
"Through" describes movement within an enclosed space.
We walked across the bridge.
Мы перешли мост.
"Across" describes movement from one side to the other.
The train passed through the mountains.
Поезд прошёл через горы.
"Through" describes movement within an enclosed space.
She swam across the river.
Она переплыла реку.
"Across" describes movement from one side to the other.
We drove through the city.
Мы проехали через город.
"Through" describes movement within an enclosed space.
He ran across the field.
Он перебежал поле.
"Across" describes movement from one side to the other.
The road goes through the village.
Дорога идёт через деревню.
"Through" describes movement within an enclosed space.
We walked across the square.
Мы пересекли площадь.
"Across" describes movement from one side to the other.
Above generally describes a higher position, while over can additionally suggest covering, movement, or a direct vertical relationship.
Compare The lamp is above the table with A blanket was placed over the child.
The lamp is above the table.
Лампа над столом.
"Above" describes a higher position.
A blanket was placed over the child.
Одеяло было накинуто на ребёнка.
"Over" suggests covering.
The picture is above the sofa.
Картина над диваном.
"Above" describes a higher position.
She held an umbrella over her head.
Она держала зонт над головой.
"Over" suggests covering.
The bird flew above the trees.
Птица летела над деревьями.
"Above" describes a higher position.
The plane flew over the city.
Самолёт пролетел над городом.
"Over" suggests movement across.
The clock is above the door.
Часы над дверью.
"Above" describes a higher position.
He jumped over the fence.
Он перепрыгнул через забор.
"Over" suggests movement across.
Below generally indicates a lower position, while under often suggests directly beneath something or being covered by it.
Compare The temperature is below zero with The shoes are under the bed.
The temperature is below zero.
Температура ниже нуля.
"Below" indicates a lower level.
The shoes are under the bed.
Туфли под кроватью.
"Under" often suggests directly beneath something.
The village lies below the mountain.
Деревня расположена ниже горы.
"Below" indicates a lower position.
The cat is under the table.
Кошка под столом.
"Under" suggests directly beneath something.
The water level is below normal.
Уровень воды ниже нормы.
"Below" indicates a lower level.
The ball is under the chair.
Мяч под стулом.
"Under" suggests directly beneath something.
The plane flew below the clouds.
Самолёт летел ниже облаков.
"Below" indicates a lower position.
She hid under the blanket.
Она спряталась под одеялом.
"Under" suggests being covered by something.
Between commonly identifies relationships involving separate reference points, while among places something within a group or surrounding set.
Compare The bank is between the station and the hotel with She was sitting among her friends.
The bank is between the station and the hotel.
Банк между вокзалом и отелем.
"Between" identifies two separate reference points.
She was sitting among her friends.
Она сидела среди своих друзей.
"Among" places something within a group.
The ball rolled between the two chairs.
Мяч закатился между двумя стульями.
"Between" identifies two separate reference points.
The house is among the trees.
Дом среди деревьев.
"Among" places something within a group.
He stood between the two doors.
Он стоял между двумя дверями.
"Between" identifies two separate reference points.
He was among the crowd.
Он был среди толпы.
"Among" places something within a group.
The café is between the library and the park.
Кафе между библиотекой и парком.
"Between" identifies two separate reference points.
She found the letter among the papers.
Она нашла письмо среди бумаг.
"Among" places something within a group.
Beside means next to, while besides means in addition to or apart from.
Compare She sat beside me with Besides John, Mary also came.
She sat beside me.
Она сидела рядом со мной.
"Beside" means next to.
Besides John, Mary also came.
Кроме Джона, Мэри тоже пришла.
"Besides" means in addition to.
The chair is beside the table.
Стул рядом со столом.
"Beside" means next to.
Besides English, she speaks French.
Кроме английского, она говорит по-французски.
"Besides" means in addition to.
He stood beside the door.
Он стоял рядом с дверью.
"Beside" means next to.
Besides being late, he was rude.
Кроме того, что он опоздал, он был груб.
"Besides" means in addition to.
The bank is beside the post office.
Банк рядом с почтой.
"Beside" means next to.
Besides the cost, there are other issues.
Кроме стоимости, есть другие проблемы.
"Besides" means in addition to.
In front of normally expresses physical position, while before commonly expresses time or sequence, although before can have spatial meanings in some contexts.
Compare The car is in front of the house with Finish the work before lunch.
The car is in front of the house.
Машина перед домом.
"In front of" expresses physical position.
Finish the work before lunch.
Закончите работу перед обедом.
"Before" commonly expresses time or sequence.
She sat in front of me.
Она сидела передо мной.
"In front of" expresses physical position.
I will call you before I leave.
Я позвоню тебе перед тем, как уйду.
"Before" commonly expresses time or sequence.
The garden is in front of the house.
Сад перед домом.
"In front of" expresses physical position.
He arrived before the meeting.
Он прибыл перед собранием.
"Before" commonly expresses time or sequence.
He stood in front of the mirror.
Он стоял перед зеркалом.
"In front of" expresses physical position.
She left before the end.
Она ушла до конца.
"Before" commonly expresses time or sequence.
Behind normally expresses physical position or delayed progress, while after commonly expresses sequence in time or order.
Compare The car is behind the building with We arrived after lunch.
The car is behind the building.
Машина за зданием.
"Behind" expresses physical position.
We arrived after lunch.
Мы прибыли после обеда.
"After" expresses sequence in time.
The garden is behind the house.
Сад за домом.
"Behind" expresses physical position.
She came after the meeting.
Она пришла после собрания.
"After" expresses sequence in time.
He parked behind the building.
Он припарковался за зданием.
"Behind" expresses physical position.
He left after the film.
Он ушёл после фильма.
"After" expresses sequence in time.
The sun is behind the clouds.
Солнце за облаками.
"Behind" expresses physical position.
We met after work.
Мы встретились после работы.
"After" expresses sequence in time.
Near can function as a preposition expressing physical or abstract proximity, while nearly is an adverb meaning almost.
Compare The station is near the hotel with The work is nearly finished.
The station is near the hotel.
Вокзал рядом с отелем.
"Near" is a preposition expressing proximity.
The work is nearly finished.
Работа почти закончена.
"Nearly" is an adverb meaning almost.
We live near the city centre.
Мы живём рядом с центром города.
"Near" is a preposition expressing proximity.
I nearly missed the bus.
Я почти опоздал на автобус.
"Nearly" is an adverb meaning almost.
The shop is near my house.
Магазин рядом с моим домом.
"Near" is a preposition expressing proximity.
She nearly won the race.
Она почти выиграла гонку.
"Nearly" is an adverb meaning almost.
He sat near the window.
Он сидел у окна.
"Near" is a preposition expressing proximity.
He is nearly ready.
Он почти готов.
"Nearly" is an adverb meaning almost.
On time means at the scheduled or expected time, while in time means early enough to meet a requirement or avoid being too late.
For example, The train arrived on time, but We arrived in time for the meeting.
The train arrived on time.
Поезд прибыл по расписанию.
"On time" means at the scheduled time.
We arrived in time for the meeting.
Мы прибыли вовремя на собрание.
"In time" means early enough to meet a requirement.
She is always on time.
Она всегда вовремя.
"On time" means at the scheduled time.
We got there in time to see the start.
Мы добрались туда вовремя, чтобы увидеть начало.
"In time" means early enough.
The meeting started on time.
Собрание началось вовремя.
"On time" means at the scheduled time.
He finished in time for the deadline.
Он закончил вовремя к сроку.
"In time" means early enough.
The bus was on time today.
Автобус сегодня был вовремя.
"On time" means at the scheduled time.
She called in time to cancel.
Она позвонила вовремя, чтобы отменить.
"In time" means early enough.
At the end identifies a physical or temporal endpoint, while in the end means eventually or after considering everything.
Compare at the end of the road with In the end, we decided to stay.
at the end of the road
в конце дороги
"At the end" identifies a physical or temporal endpoint.
In the end, we decided to stay.
В конце концов мы решили остаться.
"In the end" means eventually or after considering everything.
at the end of the meeting
в конце собрания
"At the end" identifies a temporal endpoint.
In the end, everything worked out.
В конце концов всё получилось.
"In the end" means eventually.
at the end of the film
в конце фильма
"At the end" identifies a temporal endpoint.
In the end, she agreed.
В конце концов она согласилась.
"In the end" means eventually.
at the end of the day
в конце дня
"At the end" identifies a temporal endpoint.
In the end, it was a good decision.
В конце концов это было хорошее решение.
"In the end" means eventually.
By accident means unintentionally, while on purpose means intentionally.
For example, I deleted the file by accident and She did it on purpose.
I deleted the file by accident.
Я удалил файл случайно.
"By accident" means unintentionally.
She did it on purpose.
Она сделала это нарочно.
"On purpose" means intentionally.
He broke the vase by accident.
Он разбил вазу случайно.
"By accident" means unintentionally.
He insulted her on purpose.
Он оскорбил её нарочно.
"On purpose" means intentionally.
I met him by accident.
Я встретил его случайно.
"By accident" means unintentionally.
She left the door open on purpose.
Она оставила дверь открытой нарочно.
"On purpose" means intentionally.
He took the wrong bag by accident.
Он взял не ту сумку случайно.
"By accident" means unintentionally.
He lied on purpose.
Он солгал нарочно.
"On purpose" means intentionally.
By car identifies the means of transport, while in the car identifies physical location inside the vehicle.
Compare We travelled by car with She is waiting in the car.
We travelled by car.
Мы путешествовали на машине.
"By car" identifies the means of transport.
She is waiting in the car.
Она ждёт в машине.
"In the car" identifies physical location inside the vehicle.
They went by car.
Они поехали на машине.
"By car" identifies the means of transport.
The keys are in the car.
Ключи в машине.
"In the car" identifies physical location inside the vehicle.
I prefer to travel by car.
Я предпочитаю путешествовать на машине.
"By car" identifies the means of transport.
He left his phone in the car.
Он оставил телефон в машине.
"In the car" identifies physical location inside the vehicle.
We arrived by car.
Мы прибыли на машине.
"By car" identifies the means of transport.
She sat in the car.
Она сидела в машине.
"In the car" identifies physical location inside the vehicle.
On the train identifies physical presence on the vehicle, while by train identifies the means of transport.
Compare I met her on the train with We travelled by train.
I met her on the train.
Я встретил её в поезде.
"On the train" identifies physical presence on the vehicle.
We travelled by train.
Мы путешествовали на поезде.
"By train" identifies the means of transport.
He was reading on the train.
Он читал в поезде.
"On the train" identifies physical presence on the vehicle.
They went by train.
Они поехали на поезде.
"By train" identifies the means of transport.
She left her bag on the train.
Она оставила сумку в поезде.
"On the train" identifies physical presence on the vehicle.
We prefer to travel by train.
Мы предпочитаем путешествовать на поезде.
"By train" identifies the means of transport.
I saw him on the train.
Я видел его в поезде.
"On the train" identifies physical presence on the vehicle.
We arrived by train.
Мы прибыли на поезде.
"By train" identifies the means of transport.
At the hospital can focus on the location or activity associated with the institution, while in the hospital emphasizes being physically inside or being a patient.
The exact interpretation depends on context and variety of English.
She works at the hospital.
Она работает в больнице.
"At the hospital" focuses on the location or activity.
She is in the hospital.
Она в больнице (как пациент).
"In the hospital" emphasizes being physically inside or being a patient.
He is at the hospital.
Он в больнице (по делу).
"At the hospital" focuses on the location or activity.
He is in the hospital.
Он в больнице (как пациент).
"In the hospital" emphasizes being physically inside or being a patient.
The doctor is at the hospital.
Врач в больнице.
"At the hospital" focuses on the location or activity.
The patient is in the hospital.
Пациент в больнице.
"In the hospital" emphasizes being physically inside or being a patient.
I met her at the hospital.
Я встретил её в больнице.
"At the hospital" focuses on the location or activity.
I visited him in the hospital.
Я навестил его в больнице.
"In the hospital" emphasizes being physically inside or being a patient.
At school commonly refers to attending or being at school as an institution, while in the school emphasizes physical presence inside the building.
For example, The children are at school and I saw the teacher in the school.
The children are at school.
Дети в школе (учатся).
"At school" refers to attending school as an institution.
I saw the teacher in the school.
Я видел учителя в школе (внутри).
"In the school" emphasizes physical presence inside the building.
She is at school.
Она в школе (учится).
"At school" refers to attending school as an institution.
The meeting is in the school.
Собрание в школе (внутри).
"In the school" emphasizes physical presence inside the building.
He teaches at school.
Он преподаёт в школе.
"At school" refers to attending school as an institution.
The event is in the school.
Мероприятие в школе (внутри).
"In the school" emphasizes physical presence inside the building.
They are at school.
Они в школе (учатся).
"At school" refers to attending school as an institution.
The office is in the school.
Офис в школе (внутри).
"In the school" emphasizes physical presence inside the building.
To normally describes movement towards a destination, while at describes location after or without movement.
Compare We went to the station with We are at the station.
We went to the station.
Мы пошли на вокзал.
"To" describes movement towards a destination.
We are at the station.
Мы на вокзале.
"At" describes location after or without movement.
She walked to the office.
Она пошла в офис.
"To" describes movement towards a destination.
She is at the office.
Она в офисе.
"At" describes location after or without movement.
He drove to the airport.
Он поехал в аэропорт.
"To" describes movement towards a destination.
He is at the airport.
Он в аэропорту.
"At" describes location after or without movement.
They flew to Paris.
Они полетели в Париж.
"To" describes movement towards a destination.
They are at the airport.
Они в аэропорту.
"At" describes location after or without movement.
Some preposition choices must be learned as fixed expressions rather than predicted from the general meaning of the preposition.
Examples include interested in, responsible for, depend on, belong to, solution to, reason for, and good at.
interested in
интересоваться
"Interested in" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
responsible for
ответственный за
"Responsible for" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
depend on
зависеть от
"Depend on" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
belong to
принадлежать
"Belong to" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
solution to
решение (чего-либо)
"Solution to" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
reason for
причина (чего-либо)
"Reason for" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
good at
хороший в
"Good at" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
afraid of
бояться
"Afraid of" is a fixed prepositional collocation.
Some preposition choices vary between varieties of English or between formal and informal registers.
For example, at the weekend is common in British English, while on the weekend is common in American English.
at the weekend
на выходных
"At the weekend" is common in British English.
on the weekend
на выходных
"On the weekend" is common in American English.
different from
отличаться от
"Different from" is widely accepted.
different to
отличаться от
"Different to" is common in British English.
in hospital
в больнице
"In hospital" is common in British English.
in the hospital
в больнице
"In the hospital" is common in American English.
write to me
напиши мне
"Write to me" is common in British English.
write me
напиши мне
"Write me" is common in American English.
Choose prepositions according to meaning, grammatical pattern, fixed collocation, and regional or register variation.
Common mistakes include translating prepositions literally, confusing duration with starting point, confusing destination with location, and treating similar prepositions as interchangeable.
listen to music
слушать музыку
Correct: "listen to" is the required pattern.
listen music
слушать музыку
Incorrect: the preposition "to" is missing.
good at
хороший в
Correct: "good at" is the standard combination.
good in
хороший в
Incorrect: "good in" is not standard.
married to
женат на
Correct: "married to" is the standard combination.
married with
женат на
Incorrect: "married with" is not standard.
depend on
зависеть от
Correct: "depend on" is the standard combination.
depend of
зависеть от
Incorrect: "depend of" is not standard.