The prepositions at and in frequently overlap in locative expressions. However, their selection is governed by specific spatial and functional constraints: “In” tends to imply enclosure or inclusion within a boundary (physical or abstract).
“At” generally denotes a specific point, especially in directional or functional contexts. Considering the standard usage of these prepositions in British and international varieties of English, the sentence below which demonstrates the most appropriate and contextually precise usage is:
- A the children were playing quietly in the end of the street, near the old post box
- B the entire village gathered at the town square to celebrate the festival
- C the researcher has been living in the top of that hill for decades
- D she stood nervously at the front room, waiting to be called