In-on-at the table/help

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In-on-at the table/help
Message from yam posted on 06-09-2012 at 16:06:22 (D | E | F)
Hello,

Could you help me please as I'm having trouble with the differences between in the table, on the table and at the table.
Thanks for your help!

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Edited by lucile83 on 06-09-2012 19:24

Re: In-on-at the table/help from bluestar, posted on 06-09-2012 at 16:22:29 (D | E)
Hello,

Here are a few examples that may clarify it:
There are some scratches in the table.
The food is on the table.
We are sitting at the table.

Re: In-on-at the table/help from lupon, posted on 07-09-2012 at 08:35:48 (D | E)
Hello,

in means ~~sth~~ something inside of it
on means ~~sth~~ something on the surface of it
at means ~~sth~~ something near it, just close to it.
may it this ~~will~~ be helpful.

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Edited by lucile83 on 07-09-2012 09:16

Re: In-on-at the table/help from gerondif, posted on 09-09-2012 at 18:31:27 (D | E)
Hello,

on usually means "on the surface of": The cat is on the table.

in means inside : "The ball is in the bag"

in is sometimes the short form of into, it means you were outside and you are going inside:
Come in / Come into the classroom.

The difference between in and at would be for me that "in" simply means inside whereas "at" means that you are somewhere to do something specific:

I am in the garden. ok, I just say where I am.

I am at school, (to work)
I am at the supermarket (to buy some food)
I am at the restaurant (to have lunch)

If a door is left open and a dog goes into the school, you will say:

There is a dog in the school.
You won't say:
"There is a dog at school" The dog hasn't put on his glasses and he is not reading a text !!

I am at home (to do what I please).

The burglar was in my home when the police caught him. (I couldn't say at home here)

Re: In-on-at the table/help from rahul999, posted on 14-09-2012 at 08:41:35 (D | E)
Hello,

your question ~~is being included~~ a mistake i.e. use between when you want to know differences in two,use among when it comes to three;(I stated it for your wellness).
Coming to your query,
-on the table=surface of it
example, cat is sitting ON the table.
-in the ~~table~~ kitchen=according to something in the ~~table~~ kitchen
example, all family members are getting lunch IN the ~~table~~ kitchen
-at the table= surrounding the table
example, he is standing AT the table

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Edited by lucile83 on 14-09-2012 12:18
You can't have lunch in the table

Re: In-on-at the table/help from nveras, posted on 14-09-2012 at 13:19:50 (D | E)
Hello rahul999.
I'm so sorry but I really didn't understand what you mean with this phrase.
"your question is being included a mistake i.e. use between when you want to know differences in two,use among when it comes to three;"
Could you please explain in other words?

Re: In-on-at the table/help from lucile83, posted on 14-09-2012 at 13:57:26 (D | E)
Hello nveras

In correct English it should be written:
Your question includes a mistake as 'between' is used when we talk about 2 things or people, otherwise we have to use 'among' for more than 2 things or people.

Re: In-on-at the table/help from nveras, posted on 14-09-2012 at 15:18:44 (D | E)
Hello Lucile.

Thanks for your help. I was worried about my English, but now everything is clear. I found very strange the use of a passive voice instead of the present tense. Have a nice day.

Re: In-on-at the table/help from nguyenthanhtrai, posted on 26-09-2012 at 05:57:28 (D | E)
Hello,

Here are ~~a few~~ two examples that may clarify it:
- the banana is on the table.
- We are sitting at the table

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Edited by lucile83 on 26-09-2012 08:10

Re: In-on-at the table/help from coldmoon, posted on 28-09-2012 at 15:52:28 (D | E)
Hello,
It is on the table , but we can say in the box , and at is used most of the time for places.

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