Should I use in, on or at for locations like this: "I am {on/at/in} the railway station"?

Question

Which prepositions are correct?

I am {on/at/in} the railway station.
I am {on/at/in} square.

What is "square"? A square like a courtyard or plaza? – user3169 Oct 27 '14 at 00:39 — user3169, Oct 27 '14 at 00:39

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 27 '14 at 00:39

2

I am on the railway station.

means you are on top of the railway station (like on the ceiling). Not likely.

I am at the railway station.

means you are there, location wise.

I am in the railway station.

means you are inside (the perimeter) of the railway station.

answered Oct 27 '14 at 00:39

user3169

2

From the perspective of location, you've described what the three prepositions generally mean, although it's worth pointing out there are numerous idiosyncrasies, anomalies, idiomatic usages, and exceptions, particularly with _on_. "I am on the phone" probably doesn't mean you are on top of it, and "I am on the radio" doesn't usually mean you are on top of it either. – J.R. Oct 27 '14 at 09:00

1 Answers1