Using the word 'the' with public buildings - English in a Minute

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  I'm going to tell you how we use the with public buildings.

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  Often when we talk about public buildings with prepositions of place,

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  what we're really talking about is the main reason that people go there.

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  If you're at school, at college or at university, you're studying now in British English,

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  if that's what you're doing, don't use the with the name of the building.

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  Here are some other examples.

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  If you're in hospital, you're ill if you're at church,

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  you're praying and if you're in court or worse, in prison, you're you're in trouble.

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  If we do use the in these expressions, then it probably means somebody's doing something else.

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  Natasha's at the hospital.

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  She's visiting her brother.

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  I'll meet you at the school, then we'll go to the party.

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  Now, it's not every public building.

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  It only works for some.

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  But if you're talking about the most common activity,

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  don't use the if you're talking about something else, you can.