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, in a couple years, in the 20th century This parallels their use in spatial reference: At refers to a precise location, irrespective of dimension at Eddie's place, at 55th and Halstead, at the office … On refers to location with respect to two-dimensional space on the terrace, on the corner, on the lawn, on the table, on Halstead St In refers to location with respect to three-dimensional space in the …

As Fillmore describes it in his Deixis Lectures: The preposition at is said to ascribe no particular dimensionality to the referent of its associated noun; the preposition on is said to ascribe to … Consider phrases like at the intersection, on the line, on the page, on the wall, in the city, in the kitchen. …

On means located in 2-dimensional space, as Fillmore points out in his Deixis Lectures. The children can play on the lawn (lawn is 2-D), or in the yard (yard is 3-D). … With a main clause like that, the choice is, as suggested, between by and in. By is straightforwardly causative/agentive. In is 3-Dimensional, implying the two clauses are part of the same volume. …

To quote from the late Charles Fillmore's Deixis Lecture on "Space" (p.24) on wide: In expressing measurement of objects that are viewed as having a spatial orientation, the adjectives that accompany … Suppose there is a plot of land 75 feet by 200 feet in dimension out in the middle of nowhere, and you ask somebody to go out and measure it and to report to you the results of his measurements. …

That said, however, there is a very common spatial-dimension sense for many prepositions, including in, on, and at. … As Fillmore describes it in his Deixis Lectures: The preposition at is said to ascribe no particular dimensionality to the referent of its associated noun; the preposition on is said to ascribe to …