Using At or In before the name of place

[Peter]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #48 "Common Prepositions", question 9

Were you ......... church yesterday?

(a) at
(b) to
(c) on
(d) for

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #48 "Common Prepositions", answer 9

Were you at church yesterday?

Correct answer: (a) at

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Hi,
Please Let Me Know What Is The Difference Between At And In While Using Them Before The Name Of Place

Thank
Peter

[Mister Micawber]

.
Use at, Peter, when the place is considered or visualized as, or situated at, a point location (as when at long distance from the speaker):

I'll meet you at the drugstore.
I arrived at Denver at midnight because my flight was late.

Use in when the 3-dimensionality of the place is of concern or significance (as when specifying the inside rather than the outside):

I was supposed to meet her at the corner, but I found her in the drugstore.
I've never been in Denver before.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Maple_Leaf]

why not " to" ?

[Mister Micawber]

.
'To' requires an action verb, not a linking verb.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Maple_Leaf]

Oh i'm sorry
i mistook simple past for present perfect " I've been to ...."

[Mia1977]

Hi, I've just read your response and I'm a little bit confused. In the first question of this test is "on the cornet", but you used as an example "at the corner". Is there any difference in the usage of different prepositions?
Thanks.
Mira

[Mister Micawber]

The relationship between 'on' and 'at' is the same as that between 'in' and 'at', except that 'on' refers to 2-dimensional spaces.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's