“In a Meeting” vs. “On a Meeting” vs. “At a Meeting” – Navigating Prepositional Phrases

When it comes to professional settings, communicating your availability or whereabouts often involves indicating your engagement in meetings.

The phrases “in a meeting,” “on a meeting,” and “at a meeting” are commonly used, but which is the correct choice?

Quick Summary

“In a meeting” and “at a meeting” are both correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. “In a meeting” typically indicates active participation, while “at a meeting” can imply either participation or physical presence. “On a meeting” is not standard English and is usually incorrect.

“In a Meeting” vs. “On a Meeting” vs. “At a Meeting” – Which is Correct?

The choice between these phrases depends on the context:

Phrase	When to Use	Example
In a meeting	When actively participating in a meeting	She can’t answer the phone right now; she’s in a meeting.
On a meeting	Generally incorrect, unless referring to being on a call or online meeting platform	He’s on a meeting call with international clients.
At a meeting	When present at a meeting location, whether participating or not	He’s at a meeting downtown and will be back by lunch.

How to Use “In a Meeting”

“In a meeting” is used to convey that someone is actively engaged in a meeting. It is the most common way to express that a person is occupied with a meeting and cannot be disturbed. Here’s how to use it:

• Describing active participation:
  “The manager is in a meeting and will get back to you as soon as possible.”

How to Use “At a Meeting”

“At a meeting” can be used to indicate that someone is present at the location of a meeting. It may not necessarily mean active participation but suggests attendance. Here are examples:

• Referring to physical presence:
  “I will be at a meeting until 3 PM but will check my email afterward.”

Exceptions in Usage

While “on a meeting” is not standard, it can sometimes be heard in the context of virtual meetings, especially when using an online platform:

• In the context of virtual meetings:
  “We’re on a Zoom meeting discussing the quarterly results.”

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentences:

1. Could you take a message for me? I’ll be _ (in/on/at) a meeting all afternoon.
2. She’s currently _ (in/on/at) a meeting with the new interns.
3. They are _ (in/on/at) a meeting discussing the project timeline.
4. I was _ (in/on/at) a meeting when the news broke out.
5. We’re _ (in/on/at) a meeting call with the remote team members.

Answer Key:

1. in
2. in
3. in
4. at
5. on

Conclusion

To communicate your engagement with meetings effectively, use “in a meeting” when actively participating and “at a meeting” when referring to attendance at a meeting location.

“On a meeting” is less conventional but may be used in the context of virtual meetings. Understanding these nuances ensures clarity in your professional interactions.