What is difference between AT and IN?

Well these two words confuse me too because many times I use " I live in that country " while I use at like "I was at my home". means for big place I use 'in' while for home I use 'at' why I dont know why ...but I am using these words like this only . As for me English is always confusing , some times its difficult how to pronounce few words.

I know but let's not complicate things, most Mylot users explained already in general what IN and AT is all about.. you just have to remember it and see the difference: Example: I live in Delhi (not specific, but particular place only) I live at 21st. Sgt Fox, Silent Hill Subdivision (specific) Another example: AT 7 o'clock IN the morning...

Keval, There have been some very helpful suggestions in here, though I haven't read all of the comments. I don't know if someone addressed this with you yet and, I am sorry if I am repeating someone else here. But, you were correct in saying "I live in that country" but you were incorrect in saying "I live at that city." It would be "I live in the United States" and "I live in Georgia in the United States." But, if you were to be more specific, you would say, "I live in Georgia in the United States at 1234 Smith Street in Atlanta, Georgia." You can say "I will arrive in an hour at 4:15." This is one of those lessons in English that is pretty difficult and takes time to learn.

I used to be confused with AT and IN but here's something that can help you. AT is used when you are referring to the place in general. Like you cannot specifically state the exact place where you are at. Like for example, You are at the mall. Wherein IN is used when you are referring to a specific place you are in and you are technically inside the place.

...Hi there keval, English words or usage can baffle the begees out of you sometimes. Read and read (red), sole and soul, and so on. I think this may clarify it a bit in this case. Think of it this way...Someone is at the door...Someone would not be in the door. In is very similar to within, so if you could substitute within for in you should be good with using in. At is more or less external. He is at home rather than he is in home. She is at the game rather than in the game, unless she is playing. What you are saying dictates the usage as well, tricky maybe but you will get the hang of it I'm sure. Hope this helps. Take care.

I am not a english speaking, can't describe the definite difference where to use AT and where IN. when you need to describe a big place should use in, when describe a small city should use at. when describe inside something, should use in. I don't know how to express it.

The simplest way to remember the difference would be to realise the similarity to "Inside"...so if you're going somewhere,say to a country,You arrive at the airport,but you're now "In" the country. If you go to a hotel while staying there,you stay At the hotel.Just to correct your example..You live IN a city. AT indicates a movement towards something..you have arrived AT your destination.I hope this helps!

Hi, At is more specific than in. You may reach at some destination say, station, which is a very specific place. But you can be anywhere in the country. You can reach a place at 8'o clock, which is also a very specific point of time. On the other hand, you may reach in an hour or so, which means you can't say whether it will take 15minutes or half an hour or an hour to reach the destination. You can be in a critical phase, which is not a point of time, but a duration. You can look in the mirror, which is rather a large area, thus not specific. But when you look at something, that thing may be something smaller, definite or very specific object. So whenever you are being specific about something be sure to use at. Use in otherwise. Thanks God bless you

That's true, but in those two examples "in" and "at" can be used. It can be confusing when to use these words. One rule to consider is that "in" means inside such as "she's in the building" or "i am in the room" or "go in the store." If you use "inside" in the sentence, then it is probably best to use "in". "At" is less specific (can be inside, outside, or around the location) so you can say "he is at the table" or "she lives at home" or "I am at the door." Hopefully I didn't confuse you anymore and what I said was a bit helpful.

hi keval, prepositions IN,AT & also ON are used to indicate time & place however they differ in each specific situation. IN - used when you are describing YEAR & MONTH - example,In 1999 or IN DECEMBER - used when you are describing a COUNTRY,CITY,STATE - example IN JAPAN,IN VATICAN CITY,IN STATE OF OHIO IN usually indicate LARGEST time or place while AT usually indicate the smallest or the specific exact time & address. AT - used to describe specific time example - at 8:00pm, at 12:00 Noon - used to describe specific address - example at 10 Downing St.,London,U.K. Hope this help...It's actually easy once you get used to it,you will be a master in correct usage of prepositions

Yeah as the rest of the english language is, at and in are very complicated to use. I guess the easiest way to learn is to read a lot of books. I mean, there's no "real" rule for at and in so the best thing you can do is to get used to many ways how to use in and at. For example, just by common sense we know that we say in 30 minutes instead of at 30 minutes. Most of the time though at is more direct and stronger than in :)

well, if you are confuse, you can choose which of the two would sound better...