prepositions - "At the beginning of the century" or "in the beginning of the century"?



At the beginning of the century.
In the beginning of the century.



How to clearly distinguish when to use at, or in?



Answer



In general, "at" marks a spot and "in" marks a space. Obviously, there are idiomatic exceptions, but this really isn't one. The beginning of a period of time is a "spot", the period of time itself is rather "spacious".


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