ESL Blues When to Use TO or AT When Talking about Places

	ESL	TO / AT for
	Blues	Places

Here are some of the most common errors using TO and AT referring to places, preceded by their correct form:

I am going to my hotel. I am staying at the Hilton.
My brother says he is coming to the party, but right now he is playing football at the stadium.
I am going at my hotel. I am staying to the Hilton.
When you are talking about a place, TO indicates a movement towards somewhere; AT indicates present position.
TO is used with verbs of movement, like go, come, return, run etc.
AT is used with many different verbs (see the second example above), including verbs of position, like be, stay, etc.

I'm excited. I'm going to college next year.
With certain expressions we do not use 'the.' But be careful. We use 'the' when they have a more precise meaning:
I am going to college. → I am studying at a college.
I am going to the college. → I am going to the college (building).

I'm tired. I want to go home..
With certain expressions we do not even use 'to.' But be careful. We use 'to' when they have a more precise meaning:
I am going to my grandparent's home for the holidays.