Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question addresses "Prepositions of Place."
The phrase "the baker’s" contains a possessive apostrophe-s (\('s\)), which is a common English idiomatic shorthand for "the baker’s shop" or "the baker’s establishment."
When we refer to a specific business place or commercial location viewed as a destination or a point in space, we use a specific preposition.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate why "at" is the correct choice compared to others:
- at (Correct): We use "at" to talk about a specific point or address. It is the standard preposition for shops and professional locations ending in \('s\).
Examples: \(at the doctor’s, at the hairdresser’s, at the chemist’s\).
Saying "I saw him at the baker’s" indicates he was at that specific commercial spot.
- on: This is used for surfaces (e.g., "on the table") or linear paths. You cannot be "on" a shop unless you are literally on top of the building's roof.
- in: While you can be "in the bakery," the possessive form "the baker’s" focuses on the location as a destination. "In" emphasizes being enclosed within the four walls. However, the idiomatic pairing for the possessive location is almost always "at."
- over: This indicates a position vertically above something. It is entirely irrelevant to this social context.
Therefore, the grammar of English dictates that when a profession is used with a possessive \('s\) to denote a place, "at" is the requisite preposition.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct preposition is \(at\), which corresponds to option (a).