Absurd English: Verbs with Prepositions IN / ON / AT
In, on, atâŠwhich one is it? Succeed in, succeed on, succeed at something? Focus in, focus on, or focus at something? How can you possibly know which preposition follows the verb!?
The short answer is: you canât. (Unless I tell you â itâs succeed in, focus on.)
This is an area of English where you simply need to remember the correct expression. So go easy on yourself!
Letâs go step by step. Today youâll see 9 verbs followed by IN / ON / AT for everyday conversations at work in English.
This is particularly useful if you need to speak English at work, although it will benefit anyone who wants to boost their English vocabulary! Ready?
Itâs self-sabotaging to give a perfect interview answer, but a weak conclusion. Read this article, and youâll see how to finish each answer impressively in your next job interview in English.
Work activities that use the word âinâ
1. Work in: If you are part of a team or department, you can say that you work in a team or department.
For example, âI work in the marketing departmentâ.Â
2. Invest in: If youâre talking about time, money, effort, youâll say invest in something.
For example, âWe want to invest in more researchersâ.
3. Specialise in: When you describe your expertise, you specialise in a particular field.
For example, âThe company specialise in digital marketingâ.
“If you want to explain your general location, say that you work at that location.  “
Work activities that use the word âonâ
4. Collaborate on: A way to describe working together with other people is to collaborate on an activity.
For example, âWe collaborated on the report togetherâ.
Another possibility is to collaborate with a person, on an activity.
For example, âI collaborated with Thomas on the presentationâ.
5. Share updates on: When exchanging information about new developments of projects or events, itâs called sharing, giving, or receiving an update on a situation.
For example, âCan you give me an update on the sales numbers?â.
6. Work on. When you work on a project, or a task, or an assignment, you focus your energy on advancing that particular project or task or assignment.
For example, âWeâre working on a more efficient strategyâ.
Work activities that use the word âatâ
7. Work at a location: This one can be confusing, because people often mix up âwork at a locationâ with âwork in a locationâ. Hereâs the difference!
If you want to explain your general location, say that you work at that location. Â
For example, âIâm working at the office todayâ. This gives a general idea of where you are in the world.
If you want to emphasise you are in an enclosed location, use work in a location.
For example, âThomas is working in his office right nowâ. This time, we imagine Thomas working inside a specific room with four walls, like a box.
8. Aim at: If you want a group of people to be influenced or reached by your activities, you can say aim at.
For example, âThe campaign is aimed at Millennialsâ.
Here we say aim at a person or group of people. However, you can also use âaim atâ with an activity. Note here the structure is with -ing. You aim at + doing something.
For example, âThe training program is aimed at boosting leadership skillsâ.
9. Meet at scheduled appointments or times: At work, youâll probably talk about having a scheduled appointment with someone. Make sure you use âatâ when referring to the time.
For example, âIâm meeting the client for a quick appointment at 10amâ.
CONCLUSION
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Hopefully you can remember these expressions next time you need them, but if you canât â do not worry! If you say âinâ instead of âonâ, or âonâ instead of âatâ, the other person will still understand you perfectly.
And if you remember to say the right word â awesome! You are showing your advanced, professional level of English as you correctly use verbs with prepositions in, on, at.
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Susie Shields
I train people to use English in a professional context. In my one-to-one sessions, online course and social media platforms, youâll master tools to flourish in your English-speaking workplace. From job interviews to work meetings to presentations and more, youâll prepare for professional challenges and speak with success.
