Prepositions of Time: at, in, on
We use:
at for a PRECISE TIME
in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS
on for DAYS and DATES
at
in
on
PRECISE TIME
MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS
DAYS and DATES
at 3 o'clock
in May
on Sunday
at 10.30am
in Summer
on Tuesdays
at noon
in the Summer
on 6 March
at dinnertime
in 1990
on 25 Dec. 2010
at bedtime
in the 1990s
on Christmas Day
at sunrise
in the next century
on Independence Day
at sunset
in the Ice Age
on my birthday
at the moment
in the past/future
on New Year's Eve
Look at these examples:
I have a meeting at 9am.
The shop closes at midnight.
Jane went home at lunchtime.
In England, it often snows in December.
Do you think we will go to Jupiter in the future?
There should be a lot of progress in the next century.
Do you work on Mondays?
Her birthday is on 20 November.
Where will you be on New Year's Day?
Notice the use of the preposition of time at in the following standard expressions:
Expression
Example
at night
The stars shine at night.
at the weekend*
I don't usually work at the weekend.
at Christmas*/Easter
I stay with my family at Christmas.
at the same time
We finished the test at the same time.
at present
He's not home at present. Try later.
Notice the use of the prepositions of time in and on in these common expressions:
in
on
in the morning
on Tuesday morning
in the mornings
on Saturday mornings
in the afternoon(s)
on Sunday afternoons
in the evening(s)
on Monday evening
When we say last, next, every, this we do not also use at, in, on.
I went to London last June. (not in last June)
He's coming back next Tuesday. (not on next Tuesday)
I go home every Easter. (not at every Easter)
We'll call you this evening. (not in this evening)
Time prepositions Quiz 1: Correct / Wrong
Read the sentences and decide whether the time prepositions are correct or not.
1. Let's meet at 7 o'clock outside the cinema.
a. Correct b. Wrong
2. We always play badminton on Tuesdays at the gym.
a. Correct b. Wrong
3. Have you decided to get married at Spring?
a. Correct b. Wrong
4. She grew up on the 1970s.
a. Correct b. Wrong
5. He was born on 15 June 1983.
a. Correct b. Wrong
6. In Last summer he went to Greece on holiday.
a. Correct b. Wrong
Time prepositions Quiz 2:
Look at this conversation between Helen and Dima. Some of the words are missing. Choose the best answer from the options below to complete the sentences.
Dima: What did you do (1) __________ the weekend?
Helen: I had a really busy time, not like (2) __________ last weekend when I didn't do anything at all. (3) __________ Saturday, I got up (4) __________ 7.30 and went to the airport to meet my aunt. (5) __________ the afternoon we went to a concert in the park. Then, (6) __________ the evening we had a little party for her. So the guests started arriving (7) __________ 8ish and some were still there (8) __________ midnight!
Dima: Sounds like you had a great time.
Helen: Yes but I'm already looking forward to (9) __________ next weekend just so I can have a quiet time (10) __________ Saturday and Sunday!
Options
(1) at / in / on / no preposition
(2) at / in / on / no preposition
(3) At / In / On / no preposition
(4) at / in / on / no preposition
(5) At / In / On / no preposition
(6) at / in / on / no preposition
(7) at / in / on / no preposition
(8) at / in / on / no preposition
(9) at / in / on / no preposition
(10) at / in / on / no preposition
me ayudan con igles plis
Respuestas a la pregunta
Contestado por
3
Respuesta:
1. Correct
2. Correct
3. Wrong
4. Correct
5. Correct
6. Wrong
Quiz 2
1. on
2. no preposition
3. on
4. at
5. in
6. in
7. at
8. on
9. on
10. on
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