Prepositions of Time

Rules for using•in•on•at

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)

Using: AT

• We also use “at” in these expressions (memorize them!)

• at night• at the moment• at the same time• at the beginning / end of . . .

Using: ONWe use “on” for:

• Days of the week-on Thursday, on Saturday, etc.

• We also say: on weekends, on Friday morning, on Tuesday evening,

etc.

• Specific dates-on March 12th, on May 1, 2010, etc.

Using: INWe use “in” for:

• 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

• We use “in” + a future time:-in a few weeks; in six months; in 10

minutes

No preposition!

• No preposition is used when we use time expressions with this _____ or last _____ or next _____.

Examples:1. I’ll see you next Friday.2. I had an important meeting last

week.

Practice! In, On, or At?

Examples:1. We got married ____ June.

2. We got married ____ June 12, 2008.3. I have a meeting _____ 3:00 today.

4. We are going to have lunch _____ next Thursday.

5. I work _____ the morning, not _____ night.

6. I will travel to visit my family _____ a few weeks.

7. I’m always tired _____ the end of the day.

8. Celia doesn’t work _____ Saturday.

9. We enjoy taking a walk _____ Sunday afternoons.

10. The summer semester ends _____ July 23rd.

11. They bought their house _____ 2000.

Practice makes Perfect!

• Using prepositions correctly takes a lot of practice. For more practice, go to our class website: www.ecc6.blogspot.com

-and look for activitieson prepositions.

-and always ask your teacher if you need help!