Prepositions of time are used to indicate when something happens. Let’s look at three prepositions of time in, at, and on. Each of these prepositions has specific scenarios in which they are used.
IN
We use in to talk about longer periods of time, such as months, years, seasons and parts of the day.
Examples:
We’re going to France in December.
We had the best music in the 1990s.
In the summer I’m going to start surfing.
I like drinking coffee in the morning.
ON
We use on to talk about specific days and dates.
Examples:
Let’s go shopping on Saturday.
They’re having a party on her birthday.
Did you do an egg hunt on Easter Sunday?
I last saw him on the 3rd of April.
You’ll get a certificate on the last day of the course.
AT
We use at to talk about specific points in time, such as hours and holidays.
Examples:
I’ll meet you there at 8pm.
We usually eat lunch at noon.
She got scared at the beginning of the movie.
Let’s read this book at bedtime.
Here are some other key words we use to talk about when things happen:
- Since
- For
- Ago
- Before
- During
- After
- By
- Until
- From
- To
- Past
Examples:
I’ve been studying English since I was ten.
We ate popcorn during the movie.
The birthday party goes from 2pm until 5pm.