"in" and "at"

[trend7]

Hi,

I would like to find out when do I use "at" and when do I use "in" / "inside".

For instance:

1. I am in (or inside) the bus / train.
2. I am in (or at) the university.
3. I am in (or at) the office.

etc.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Regards,
Trend7

[rj1948]

Where are you? The answers are:
I am in the bus
Iam in /at the uiversity.
I am in/at the office.

[trend7]

Originally Posted by rj1948

Where are you? The answers are:
I am in the bus
Iam in /at the uiversity.
I am in/at the office.

thanks rj1948.

However, why is it that "inside" the bus can't be used? Afterall the bus is fully enclosed. Another eg would be "the marble is in (or inside) the box?"

Also there is no difference between "in the university" and "at the university"? "in" and "at" can be used interchangeably here?

[bhaisahab]

Originally Posted by trend7

thanks rj1948.

However, why is it that "inside" the bus can't be used? Afterall the bus is fully enclosed. Another eg would be "the marble is in (or inside) the box?"

Also there is no difference between "in the university" and "at the university"? "in" and "at" can be used interchangeably here?

Hi trend7,
In British English we usually say "on the bus" which, I know, sounds like we are on top of the bus, but if you can look at it as saying "we are on a seat in the bus" it might seem more logical (even if we are standing, we are standing on the floor of the bus).

Usually we would say "at the university" but I don't see any reason why we can't say "in", "in" denotes "inside".

[banderas]

To the best of my knowledge one studies at a university.
"At" is more abstract. "In" refers to your physical presence in a university. Are you always phisically present in the university while studying? No. You study at home, in the park, anywhere you want. The thing is you do it at an institution and graduate from that institution. This is way we use an abstract "at".