Fixed expressions with in (in the rain, in Welsh, in love, in a good mood, in my opinion), on (on TV, on fire, on purpose, on holiday, on strike) and at (at the age of 16, at 70 miles an hour).
A in
| Expression | Example of use |
|---|---|
| in the rain / in the sun / in the shade / in the dark / in bad weather | weather and light |
| in a language / in a currency | in Welsh, in euros |
| (be / fall) in love (with somebody) | feelings |
| in a (good / bad) mood | temper |
| in (my) opinion | views |
- We sat in the shade. It was far too hot to sit in the sun.
- Don't stand out there in the rain. Come inside.
- How do you say "good morning" in Welsh?
- How much is fifty pounds in euros?
- Look at them holding hands. They're obviously in love.
- You're in a very good mood today. Have you won something?
- In my opinion the new bus station is an eyesore.
B on
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| on TV / on television | |
| on the radio | |
| on the phone | |
| on fire | burning |
| on purpose | intentionally |
| on the whole | in general |
- Did you see the match on TV last night?
- I heard about the road closure on the radio.
- We've never met, but we've spoken on the phone a few times.
- Call the fire brigade! That shed is on fire.
- Sorry, I didn't break your mug on purpose.
- The hours are long, but on the whole I like working at the garden centre.
C on holiday, on a trip and similar
We say:
- (be / go) on holiday
- (be / go) on a trip / on a tour / on a cruise
- (be / go to a place) on business
- (be / go) on strike
- (be / go) on a diet
We also say go somewhere for a holiday.
- We're going on holiday to Cornwall next month.
- My grandparents went on a cruise round the Norwegian fjords.
- Tariq is in Frankfurt on business this week.
- The bin men are on strike, and the street is starting to notice.
- I've eaten far too many mince pies. I'll have to go on a diet.
- Fiona has gone to Crete for a holiday.
D at the age of ..., at a speed of ...
We use at for an age, a speed or a temperature: at the age of 16 / at 70 miles an hour / at 100 degrees.
- My dad left school at 15. / My dad left school at the age of 15.
- The police say the car was going at 90 miles an hour.
- Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.
- We are now cruising at a height of 11,000 metres.
Exercises
127.1 Complete the sentences using in and one of these.
the moodcold weatherlovemy opinionGermanthe rainpoundsthe shade
Take an umbrella if you're going out in the rain.
Take an umbrella if you're going out in the rain.
My nan's chest is bad, so she stays indoors .
My nan's chest is bad, so she stays indoors in cold weather.
The film was , so I had to read the subtitles.
The film was in German, so I had to read the subtitles.
They met on a train to Leeds, fell , and got married a year later.
They met on a train to Leeds, fell in love, and got married a year later.
I can't face karaoke tonight. I'm not .
I can't face karaoke tonight. I'm not in the mood.
The sun's too strong here. Let's move the picnic blanket of those trees.
The sun's too strong here. Let's move the picnic blanket in the shade of those trees.
Everyone else loved the new kitchen, but the colour was a mistake.
Everyone else loved the new kitchen, but in my opinion the colour was a mistake.
Sixty dollars? How much is that ?
Sixty dollars? How much is that in pounds?
127.2 Complete the sentences using on and one of these.
businessa cruisea dietfireholidayhis phonethe radiopurposestrikeTVa tourthe whole
I heard the traffic news on the radio. The M62 is closed.
I heard the traffic news on the radio. The M62 is closed.
The nurses have gone over pay.
The nurses have gone on strike over pay.
Don't go if you get seasick.
Don't go on a cruise if you get seasick.
Everyone ran outside when they saw that the kitchen was .
Everyone ran outside when they saw that the kitchen was on fire.
On our first morning in York, a guide took us of the old city walls.
On our first morning in York, a guide took us on a tour of the old city walls.
Josh keeps all his train tickets .
Josh keeps all his train tickets on his phone.
I'm too tired to go out. Is there anything good tonight?
I'm too tired to go out. Is there anything good on TV tonight?
I'm really sorry about your fence. I didn't reverse into it .
I'm really sorry about your fence. I didn't reverse into it on purpose.
If you're , you probably shouldn't order the sticky toffee pudding.
If you're on a diet, you probably shouldn't order the sticky toffee pudding.
We'll be from Saturday. We're going to the Isle of Man.
We'll be on holiday from Saturday. We're going to the Isle of Man.
Shona works for an oil company. She often goes to Aberdeen .
Shona works for an oil company. She often goes to Aberdeen on business.
The weather was mixed, but we had a good week.
The weather was mixed, but on the whole we had a good week.
127.3 Complete the sentences with in, on or at.
inonat
This oven cooks pizza at 400 degrees.
This oven cooks pizza at 400 degrees.
When I was twelve, I went a school trip to Belgium.
When I was twelve, I went on a school trip to Belgium.
My great-uncle learnt to swim the age of 70.
My great-uncle learnt to swim at the age of 70.
Could you open the curtains? We're sitting the dark.
Could you open the curtains? We're sitting in the dark.
We couldn't afford to go holiday this year.
We couldn't afford to go on holiday this year.
I don't like cycling the wind. It's exhausting.
I don't like cycling in the wind. It's exhausting.
Prices in the shop have risen an alarming rate.
Prices in the shop have risen at an alarming rate.
Ellie started her own business 22.
Ellie started her own business at 22.
There was a funny interview with a farmer the radio this morning.
There was a funny interview with a farmer on the radio this morning.
My parents want to go a cruise. I'd rather stay on dry land.
My parents want to go on a cruise. I'd rather stay on dry land.
Sound travels through the air about 340 metres a second.
Sound travels through the air at about 340 metres a second.
No crisps for me, thanks. I'm a diet.
No crisps for me, thanks. I'm on a diet.
Several trees came down the gales last night.
Several trees came down in the gales last night.
Don't ring me next week. I'll be holiday.
Don't ring me next week. I'll be on holiday.
I couldn't work in a call centre. You spend the whole day the phone.
I couldn't work in a call centre. You spend the whole day on the phone.
"How was the new job this week?" "Tiring, but the whole, fine."
"How was the new job this week?" "Tiring, but on the whole, fine."
your opinion, should I take the job or not?
In your opinion, should I take the job or not?
What's wrong with Gareth? He's been a terrible mood all day.
What's wrong with Gareth? He's been in a terrible mood all day.
I don't think that kind of advert should be shown TV before nine o'clock.
I don't think that kind of advert should be shown on TV before nine o'clock.
The safety instructions are printed five languages.
The safety instructions are printed in five languages.