Preposition of Time | 50+ Useful Examples of Prepositions of Time AT,IN,ON

Are you struggling with when to use “at”, “in”, or “on” when talking about time? If so, you’re not alone. Prepositions of time can be tricky, but they are an essential part of English grammar. Understanding when to use each preposition correctly can help you communicate more clearly and effectively.

By understanding prepositions of time, you can improve your English fluency and avoid common mistakes. In this article, we’ll explore the different prepositions of time and provide examples to help you use them correctly. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced English learner, this guide will help you master prepositions of time and communicate more effectively in English.

Learn more about prepostion of place in English

Contents

Understanding Prepositions of Time

As you may already know, prepositions of time are used to indicate when something happens. There are only three prepositions of time in English: “in,” “at,” and “on.” Each of these prepositions has specific scenarios in which they are used.

“In”

The preposition “in” is used to indicate a period of time within a larger time frame. It is used to talk about months, years, seasons, and longer periods of time. Here are some examples:

“I will graduate from college in May.”
“She was born in 2001.”
“We always go on vacation in the summer.”
“He has been living in this city for five years.”

“At”

The preposition “at” is used to indicate a specific point in time. It is used to talk about hours, holidays, and specific time frames. Here are some examples:

“I have a meeting at 2 pm.”
“We always have a big dinner at Christmas.”
“The store closes at 10 pm.”
“She will arrive at midnight.”

“On”

The preposition “on” is used to indicate a specific day or date. It is used to talk about days of the week, specific dates, and holidays. Here are some examples:

“I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday.”
“Our anniversary is on May 5th.”
“We always celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.”
“He was born on Christmas Day.”

Basic Rules

When we talk about time in English, we use prepositions to indicate when something happens. The most common prepositions of time are in, at, and on. Here are some basic rules for using them correctly:

In

We use “in” to talk about longer periods of time, such as months, years, and seasons. For example:

I was born in 1990.
She always goes on vacation in the summer.
We’re having a party in December.

Note that we use “in” with parts of the day, such as “in the morning” or “in the evening.”

At

We use “at” to talk about specific points in time, such as hours, days, and holidays. For example:

I have a meeting at 2:00 pm.
They’re coming over at Christmas.
She always goes to bed at 10:00 pm.

Note that we use “at” with mealtimes, such as “at breakfast” or “at lunch.”

On

We use “on” to talk about specific days and dates. For example:

My birthday is on July 4th.
We’re going to the beach on Saturday.
The concert is on the 23rd of August.

Note that we use “on” with days of the week, such as “on Monday” or “on Friday.” We also use “on” with holidays, such as “on Easter” or “on New Year’s Day.”

Remember that these are just the basic rules for using prepositions of time. There are many exceptions and special cases, so it’s always a good idea to check a grammar guide or ask a native speaker if you’re not sure.

Examples of Preposition of Time

There are three basic prepositions of time: at, in, on

Prepositions of Time: At

‘At’ is used for precise times

Here is the list of preposition with At:

At 10.30am
At 8 o’clock
At bedtime
At breakfast
At Christmas
At dawn
At dinnertime
At dusk
At midday
At night
At noon
At Southern
At sunrise
At sunset
At ten o’clock
At that time
At the beginning
At the end
At the moment
At the present
At the same time
At the weekend

Prepositions of Time: In

‘In’ is used for months, years, decades, centuries, and long periods of time

Here is the list of preposition with In:

In 16 year’s time
In 1991.
In December
In January
In the 1970’s
In the 21st century
In the 70s
In the afternoon
In the Christmas holiday
In the Dark Ages
In the evening
In the future
In the morning
In the past
In the seventies
In the Summer
In this century

Prepositions of Time: On

‘On’ is used for days and dates

Here is the list of preposition with On:

On a Summer evening
On Christmas day
On Christmas
On Friday
On holiday
On January 3rd
On my birthday
On my wedding day
On that day
On the 10th
On the 10th of January
On the first day
On the last day
On Tuesday night
On Wednesday
On West day

Exercises for Practice

To reinforce your understanding of prepositions of time, it’s important to practice using them in context. Here are some exercises to help you do just that:

Exercise 1

Complete the following sentences using the correct preposition of time (in, on, at):

I usually have breakfast ____ 7:30 AM.
Our meeting is scheduled ____ Friday.
She was born ____ December 25th.
The concert starts ____ 8 PM.
We will be on vacation ____ the first week of August.

Exercise 2

Choose the correct preposition of time (in, on, at) to complete the following sentences:

I have an appointment ____ 3 PM.
She always goes to bed ____ midnight.
The movie starts ____ 7:30 PM.
We usually have lunch ____ noon.
They will arrive ____ the airport at 9 AM.

Exercise 3

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct preposition of time (in, on, at):

I will see you tomorrow in the morning.
The party is on Saturday night.
Our flight leaves in the afternoon.
She always goes to bed at midnight.
They arrived at the airport on 9 AM.

Exercise 4

Choose the correct preposition of time (before, after, until) to complete the following sentences:

Please submit your report ____ Friday.
We can’t leave ____ the rain stops.
The museum is open ____ 9 PM.
You need to finish your homework ____ you can watch TV.
The store is closed ____ Sundays.

By practicing these exercises, you’ll become more comfortable using prepositions of time correctly and effectively. Keep practicing and you’ll soon be a pro!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common prepositions used to indicate time?

Common prepositions used to indicate time include “in,” “on,” “at,” “since,” and “for.” These prepositions are used to describe when an action takes place, the duration of an action, or the frequency of an action.

How can I identify prepositions of time in a sentence?

Prepositions of time are usually followed by a noun or noun phrase that indicates a specific time, duration, or frequency. For example, in the sentence “I will meet you at 5 PM,” the preposition “at” is followed by the specific time “5 PM.”

What is the difference between a preposition of time and a preposition of place?

Prepositions of time are used to indicate when an action takes place, while prepositions of place are used to indicate where an action takes place. For example, “in” can be used as a preposition of time to indicate a period of time, such as “in the morning,” and as a preposition of place to indicate a location, such as “in the park.”

Can you give me examples of prepositions of time used in everyday conversation?

Sure! Here are some examples: