Use of in at on as Prepositioins of Time

Prepositions "in," "at," and "on" are frequently used to indicate different aspects of time. Here's an elaboration on their usage as prepositions of time, along with five examples for each:

Use of In at on Prepositions of Time English Grammar Spoken English Speaking Practice


  1. "In" as a preposition of time:

    • I'll see you in an hour.
    • The project is due in two days.
    • We have a meeting in the morning.
    • The concert is in October.
    • She was born in 1990.

    Exceptions: While "in" is commonly used for longer periods, there are some exceptions:

    • We say "in the evening" instead of "on the evening."
    • We say "in the afternoon" instead of "on the afternoon."
    • We say "in the morning" instead of "on the morning."

    Things to remember: "In" is used for longer periods and indicates a general or future point in time.

  2. "At" as a preposition of time:

    • Let's meet at 3 p.m.
    • The movie starts at 7 o'clock.
    • The party is at midnight.
    • She arrives at the weekend.
    • We have dinner at lunchtime.

    Exceptions: "At" is generally used for specific points in time, but there are exceptions:

    • We say "at night" instead of "in the night."
    • We say "at the weekend" instead of "on the weekend."
    • We say "at noon" instead of "on noon."

    Things to remember: "At" is used for precise points in time and specific parts of the day.

  3. "On" as a preposition of time:

    • The meeting is on Monday.
    • She was born on May 15th.
    • The event is on New Year's Eve.
    • We have a test on Friday.
    • The party is on Christmas Day.

    Exceptions: "On" is used for specific days and dates, but there are exceptions:

    • We say "on the weekend" instead of "at the weekend."
    • We say "on Christmas" instead of "at Christmas."
    • We say "on my birthday" instead of "at my birthday."

    Things to remember: "On" is used for specific days, dates, and holidays.

Instructions for students:

  • Practice using "in," "at," and "on" with different time expressions.
  • Pay attention to the context and meaning when choosing the appropriate preposition.
  • Memorize common expressions and phrases that use these prepositions of time.
  • Read and listen to English texts or conversations to observe how these prepositions are used.
  • Engage in speaking and writing activities to apply the knowledge effectively.

Remember, prepositions of time can be nuanced, so continuous practice and exposure will help you become more proficient in using them correctly

Comments