School, university, hospital

School, university, hospital
 

Sometimes I hear at school, at university, at hospital some other times in hospital, in the hospital, in school, in university, etc...
what is the difference?

English people are likely to stay at university or at hospital. American English speakers are more likely to say in/at the hospital.

Oddly Americans say at school as frequently as in the school or in school or at the school. There may be slight differences in meaning. A student is at school a visitor would be at the school. The meanings blend and there is no strong rule here

Thanks

Other places that don't require the article in American English are:
court (as in tribunal) and work, college (but not university). Language is complex.

Home

American English:
staying at home
staying at work
staying at school - physically located on the campus
staying in school - continuing to be a student
staying in the hospital

In England we'd say

I'm in hospital (ie. as an inpatient)

I'm at the hospital (ie. a visitor or at work or there for an appointment etc)

Thank u guys.