This document provides instruction on using the prepositions "at", "on", and "in" to indicate specific times and periods of time in English. It explains that "at" is used to refer to specific times on the clock or expressions like "at night". "On" is used for days of the week, specific dates, or periods like "on the weekend". "In" refers to longer periods like months, seasons, or parts of the day like "in the morning". Examples are given for the different uses of each preposition.
3. Using: AT
• We use “at” with a time on the
clock.
Examples:
1. He left at 2:00 today.
2. I get up every morning at 5:30.
3. I’ll see you at lunchtime.
(lunchtime = around noon)
4. • We also use “at” in these
expressions (memorize them!)
• at night
• at the moment
• at the same time
Example:
5. 1. At a specific time:
• … at five o’clock
• … at half past three
2. At a period of time:
• … at noon
• … at night
• … at midnight
• … at the weekend
6. 3. At a festival:
• … at Christmas / Mid-
Autumn Festival / Easter
7. Using: ON
• Days of the week
-on Thursday, on Saturday, etc.
• We also say: on the weekend,
on weekends, on Friday
morning, on Tuesday evening,
etc.
8. • Specific dates
-on March 12th
, on May 1, 2010, etc.
(anything can that be specifically
marked on a calendar!)
Example:
9. 1. On a specific day
• … on Sunday
• … on Sunday morning
• … on Christmas Eve
• … on New Year’s Day
2. On a date:
• … on 2nd
May
• … on the twentieth of June
10. Using: IN
• Longer periods of time, or more
general times
-in April, in the 19th
century, in 1990,
in the 1970s, in the winter, in the
summer
• We also say:
-in the morning, in the afternoon,
in the evening (but at night!)
11. • We use “in” + a future time:
• -in a few weeks; in six months; in
10 minutes
Example:
12. 1. In a specific month:
• … in January
• … in March
2. In a season:
• … in spring
• … in summer
13. • 3. In a period of time:
• … in the morning
• … in the afternoon
• … in the evening
14. Tips:
• To refer to a date, use the
preposition “on” before a day.
• Eg. My birthday is on 1st
January.
• To refer to a month, use the
preposition “in” before a month.
• Eg. Mary’s birthday is in
December.
Notes de l'éditeur
Units of time such as week and larger units use “in.”
Parts of the day can use “in” ([the] afternoon, [the] morning) or “at” (night)(noon, daybreak, sunset, midnight, etc.).