this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2024
26 points (100.0% liked)
chat
8193 readers
13 users here now
Chat is a text only community for casual conversation, please keep shitposting to the absolute minimum. This is intended to be a separate space from c/chapotraphouse or the daily megathread. Chat does this by being a long-form community where topics will remain from day to day unlike the megathread, and it is distinct from c/chapotraphouse in that we ask you to engage in this community in a genuine way. Please keep shitposting, bits, and irony to a minimum.
As with all communities posts need to abide by the code of conduct, additionally moderators will remove any posts or comments deemed to be inappropriate.
Thank you and happy chatting!
founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Here's my guesswork for how they generally get used: "at" is for a specific location that could be represented as a point, usually when you're inside or at the edge of it, where it doesn't matter what part of it you're actually at, usually in the context of travel or giving directions. "on" is more for certain things that are large, where you're not trying to be specific, probably when you're literally on top of something or using it. In is when you're literally inside the bounds of something, but again it's relatively unspecific.
You can't use at when a thing has too large of borders. You can't use on when you're not on top of it. You can't use in when the thing doesn't have defined.
But I guess really it's like you've said. The meaning of each preposition is specific to the noun it is paired with.
I’m “on” drugs but I’m “in” love
You can be on love if you're Brit*sh. Or in drugs if you're rich.
You can be on love if you're Brit*sh. Or in drugs if you're rich.