Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
Using in, on, at for time expressions
When to Use Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
- •in for months, years, seasons, parts of the day: in June, in 2024, in summer, in the morning
- •on for days and dates: on Monday, on July 4th
- •at for clock times and specific moments: at 7:30, at noon, at midnight
- •at for festivals/period markers: at Christmas, at the weekend (UK)
- •No preposition before this/next/last/every: see you next week
How to Form Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
Affirmative (+)
Preposition + time expression (in March / on Friday / at 8 pm)
Negative (-)
Use the same preposition; negate the verb (We don't meet on Sunday)
Question (?)
Question word + preposition if needed (When do you meet? At 6?)
💡 American English often uses on the weekend; British English at the weekend
Examples of Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
✓We have class on Tuesday.
✗We have class in Tuesday.
Use on for days.
✓He was born in 1999.
✗He was born on 1999.
Use in for years.
✓The meeting starts at 9:00.
✗The meeting starts on 9:00.
Use at for clock times.
✓They travel in winter.
✗They travel on winter.
Use in for seasons.
Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
💡 Practice Tips for Prepositions of Time (in/on/at)
- • Remember: in (large) → months/years/seasons; on (medium) → days/dates; at (exact) → clock times.
- • Drop the preposition with next/last/this/every.
- • Weekend: at the weekend (UK); on the weekend (US).
- • Check if the noun is a day/date/time to choose on/at quickly.
Quick Quiz
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