AT vs. IN (PREPOSITION EXPRESSIONS)

Good morning / afternoon /evening everyone, depending on when you are reading this. Welcome back to the Daily Vitamin.

Today we will look at some expressions which include the prepositions AT and IN.

⇒ To be at it
It means: to say that someone is doing something that you don't approve of (spoken expression).

Example 1: The children are at it again... chasing the cat and pulling its tail.

⇒ At one's best / worst
It means: to say that someone is showing their best or worst qualities.

Example 2: At his best, Charles can be a very persuasive speaker. At his worst, he becomes dominating and dogmatic.

⇒ While you're at it
It means: to ask someone to do something while they are doing something else (spoken expression).

Example 3: I see that you're going to call Ms Wilson. While you're at it, can you ask her if she received my e-mail?

⇒ To be in on something
It means: to take part in something that is being planned or discussed.

Example 4: Nobody in the department was in on the decision to cancel the project.

To have an in with someone
It means: to have influence with someone.

Example 5: I have an in with the director of human resources. Maybe I can get you an interview with him.

Day in, day out; week in, week out, etc.
It means: to do something continuously over a period of time (days, weeks, months, etc.).

Example 6: She quit her job because she was tired of doing the same thing at work day in and day out; she wanted more variety.

Tomorrow we will look at some verbs used with AT and IN. 

To get some practice, I encourage you to write your own sentences with one or more of these expressions and post them on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Bluesky). We will give you feedback about your writing ASAP.

All the best!