The Logic of
Prepositions
Stop guessing. Use geometry. Is it a container (IN), a surface (ON), or a specific point (AT)? Deja de adivinar. Usa la geometría. ¿Es un contenedor (IN), una superficie (ON) o un punto específico (AT)?
The Pyramid of Precision
PRECISE POINT
SURFACE / DAY
CONTAINER / GENERAL
More Specific (AT)
More General (IN)
Space Geometry
Where is it? Inside a box, on a line, or at a dot? ¿Dónde está? ¿Dentro de una caja, sobre una línea o en un punto?
IN
3D Space. Enclosed area. Volume.
ON
2D Surface. A Line. Contact.
AT
Specific Point. Location (not inside).
The Transport Rule
IN (Small/Sit)
You must sit down to enter.
Car, Taxi, Helicopter
ON (Big/Walk)
You can walk on it.
Bus, Train, Plane, Ship
Time Zoom
How precise are you? Centuries or Seconds? ¿Qué tan preciso eres? ¿Siglos o segundos?
IN (Long Periods)
Months, Years, Seasons, Centuries.
- In 1990 / In the 90s
- In July / In Summer
- In the morning/afternoon
- In 5 minutes (Future)
ON (Days & Dates)
Specific days or full dates.
- On Monday / On Tuesdays
- On 1st May / On my birthday
- On Christmas Day
- On Friday morning
AT (Clock Time)
Exact time and exceptions.
- At 5 o'clock / At 3:30
- At night / At noon / At midnight
- At the weekend (UK)
- At Christmas (The period)
Dynamic Movement
Movement prepositions imply a change of state or position. Las preposiciones de movimiento implican un cambio de estado o posición.
TO / TOWARDS
TO (Destination)
"I am going to Italy." (I will arrive there).
TOWARDS (Direction)
"Walk towards the door." (Direction, maybe not arrival).
INTO / ONTO
INTO (Enter volume)
"He walked into the room."
ONTO (Jump on surface)
"It jumped onto the table."
The "Arrive" Trap
ARRIVE IN
Cities / Countries
"Arrive in London."
ARRIVE AT
Buildings / Events
"Arrive at the airport."
NEVER say "Arrive to".
Preposition Master
- L1: Space (In/On/At)
- L2: Time (Logic)
- L3: Transport & Movement
- L4: Collocations (Good at...)
- Boss: Arrive, End, etc.
