Teacher Discussion Forums

I usually teach students to use AT in this type on sentences.

Does using IN make any difference? Do native speakers say that way?

Thanks

I have never heard a native (UK) speaker say they study in an educational institution.

Hey all!

That's a ten foot pole.

In the sample sentence I would encourage the use of "at" as it would indicate that "JFK University" is a specific place in the universe where I am studying.

Using "in" would indicate to me that I am surrounded by walls, roof and floor of an enclosure known as "JFK University", which might not include that nice shady oak tree under which I study on more pleasant days between classes.

This is just the sort of thread that will get a lot of attention and go on for pages. I promise not to contribute more to the stretching out of the "in" vs "at" debate.

peace,
revel.

Revel has it broken down exactly right. No need to add more, except to say that, yes, native speakers might say it either way, depending on exactly what image is in their mind (at their mind?...unlikely, but entirely possible) at the moment of speaking. People do say, after all, "I study in a university." I will agree with those who protest that "...at JFK University" is more likely. But if they're suggesting that "...in JFK University" is incorrect or impossible or non-native, I will most tenaciously take issue.

Larry Latham