Learn English – When to use in or at the flat

prepositions

When do you use in and when at the flat, in English?
Can I say both

I live in the flat.

I live at the flat.

Here's what prompted this question; a passage from a textbook goes like this: A girl arrived in a city where she was going to live for a while, in a new flat. Her friend picked her up at the airport.

She: ´How is your wife?´
He: ´She is fine, she is at your new flat.´

Which means, if somebody stays in a flat which is not his/hers, then he/she is AT someone´s flat, not IN someone´s flat?

Best Answer

If you are discussing the flat and its possible uses, then you'd say

I live in the flat.

or

I rent out the flat.

If you are discussing types of residence, then you'd say

I live in a flat.

or

I live in a house.

If you are discussing possible general locations, maybe the others know you own a flat and a house, then you'd say

I live at the flat.

or

I live at the house.

or

I live at the seaside.

If you are talking about a larger area then use 'in', so

I live in Paris.

If you live in the Netherlands, then you'd say

I live in the Netherlands.

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