at a school

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a school" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The student was excited to start learning at a school in a new country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One depicts a wallflower at a school dance.

The New York Times - Books

Recently, I was at a school in Runcorn.

Independent

Boucher is fumbling like teenager at a school disco.

The Guardian - Sport

At a school in Queens it was even higher - 127.

The Guardian

They became reacquainted at a school reunion three years ago.

The New York Times

A boy's life at a school for witchcraft.

The New York Times - Books

"At a school like this you work harder".

The New York Times

A boy finds his fortune at a school for witchcraft.

The New York Times - Books

"Why would he want me to speak at a school?

The New York Times

A teenager pepper-sprayed her classmates at a school in Harlem, education officials said.

The New York Times

At a school assembly, he received a two-minute standing ovation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a school", ensure the context is clear. Specify the school's name or type if needed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "at a school" when you need to be more specific about the location. For example, instead of "met at a school", specify "met at the school library" or "met at Northwood High School".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a school" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase of location, modifying a verb to indicate where an action takes place. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a school" functions as a versatile prepositional phrase indicating location, used across various contexts from news reports to academic papers. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. To enhance clarity, specify the school's name or type when possible. Remember, "at a school" refers to the location, while "in a school" emphasizes being within the educational system.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present at school

This is a direct alternative, indicating physical presence at school.

on school grounds

This alternative emphasizes the physical location within the school property.

in the school building

This alternative focuses on being inside the school structure.

during school hours

This alternative refers to the time when school is in session.

within the school environment

This alternative highlights the overall atmosphere and surroundings of the school.

on campus

This is a more concise way to refer to being at the school, particularly in higher education settings.

in a school setting

This alternative emphasizes that the context is related to education and learning.

at the educational institution

This alternative is more formal and highlights the institutional aspect of the school.

attending school

This alternative focuses on the action of going to school.

involved with the school

This alternative broadens the scope to include any kind of connection or engagement with the school.

FAQs

How can I use "at a school" in a sentence?

You can use "at a school" to indicate location or activity, such as, "She works "at a school" in the city center" or "They met "at a school event"".

What are some alternatives to saying "at a school"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "on school grounds", "in the school building", or "on campus".

Is it better to say "at the school" or "at a school"?

"At the school" implies a specific, known school, while ""at a school"" refers to any school in general. The choice depends on whether you're referring to a particular school or just any school.

What's the difference between "at a school" and "in a school"?

"At a school" generally refers to being present or active at the location, whereas "in a school" focuses more on being inside the building or within the school's educational system. Therefore, "She studies "in a school"" refers to being a student whereas "She is "at a school"" could also mean that she is a teacher.