At Meaning
At Definition & Usage
Indicating a specific point or location in space or time.
Examples
- "She was sitting at the desk when I walked in."
- "The meeting will start at 3 PM."
- "He was waiting at the bus stop."
- "I’ll see you at the park later."
- "The concert is being held at the stadium."
Indicating the target of an action or the direction toward which something is directed.
Examples
- "She aimed at the target and fired."
- "He was shouting at the top of his lungs."
- "The dog jumped at the ball."
- "I threw the ball at him."
- "The teacher looked at the student with concern."
Indicating the state or condition of something or someone.
Examples
- "She is good at solving problems."
- "He’s skilled at playing the guitar."
- "I’m terrible at math."
- "The company is excellent at customer service."
- "He’s not very good at managing time."
Cultural Context
The word 'at' originates from Old English 'æt,' and has been a staple of English grammar for centuries. It is widely used to describe locations, time, actions, and relationships between objects and subjects.
The Long-Awaited Concert
Story
The Long-Awaited Concert
Maria had been waiting for this day for months. It was the day of her favorite band’s concert, and she couldn’t contain her excitement. She arrived at the stadium early, at least an hour before the doors opened, to get a good spot. The crowd was already gathering at the entrance, each person hoping to get in before the show started. As she stood at the gates, looking at the large posters of the band on the walls, Maria thought about how much she loved their music. She had been listening to their songs since she was in high school. Every song, every lyric, felt like it had been written just for her. Finally, the doors opened, and Maria rushed in, her heart pounding with anticipation. She quickly found her seat at the front, right next to the stage. The excitement was palpable, and everyone around her was buzzing with energy. The concert started with a bang. The lights went out, and the crowd screamed. The first song was one of Maria’s favorites, and she sang along with the rest of the audience. The band played at their best, and Maria felt like she was part of something bigger than herself. The music, the crowd, the atmosphere—it was all perfect. As the show went on, Maria couldn’t help but think about how amazing it felt to be in the moment. She had been dreaming of this day for so long, and now she was finally here, experiencing it at last. Every song was a new adventure, a new memory to treasure. When the final song played, Maria knew she had witnessed something unforgettable. The concert ended, and the crowd slowly made its way out of the stadium. Maria walked out with a smile on her face, content and fulfilled. She was at peace, knowing she had seen her favorite band perform live. As she walked toward the exit, she could already hear people talking about the show, each person sharing their experience. It was a night they would all remember, and Maria was grateful to have been at the center of it all.
