A2 · Upper beginnerPrepositions

Prepositions of Time: In, On, At

Use at for clock times, on for days and dates, and in for months, years and seasons, the way Americans say them.

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In short

In, on and at tell us when something happens. The basic idea is simple: at for exact times, on for days and dates, and in for longer periods like months, years and seasons.

The pattern

At + time, on + day
The meetingsubjectisverbat 3:00timeon Fridaytime

The meeting is at 3:00 on Friday.

In + month
My birthdaysubjectisverbin Maytime

My birthday is in May.

01At: exact times

Use at for clock times and a few fixed phrases: at noon, at midnight, at night, at lunch, at the moment.

  • My shift starts at 7:30 a.m.
  • Let's meet at noon.
  • I can't sleep at night.
  • The store closes at 9:00 p.m.
atonin
at 6:00on Mondayin May
at noonon May 3in 2024
at nighton the weekendin the summer
at lunchon my birthdayin the morning

02On: days and dates

Use on for days of the week, dates and special days: on Tuesday, on September 25, on Thanksgiving, on the Fourth of July. In American English, we also say on the weekend. For a regular habit, add -s to the day: on Mondays.

  • I have yoga on Tuesdays.
  • Rent is due on the first of the month.
  • We're having a barbecue on the Fourth of July.
  • What do you usually do on the weekend?

03In: longer periods

Use in for months, years, seasons and parts of the day: in July, in 2019, in the fall, in the morning, in the evening. Remember: in the morning, but at night.

In + an amount of time can also mean "after that much time from now": in ten minutes.

  • School starts in August.
  • We moved to Seattle in 2019.
  • The leaves change color in the fall.
  • I'll call you back in ten minutes.

04No preposition, and through

Don't use in, on or at before this, next, last, every, today, tomorrow or yesterday. Americans also say Monday through Friday to mean from Monday to Friday, including Friday.

  • The office is open Monday through Friday.
  • I worked late every day this week.
  • Are you free tomorrow?
  • We met last summer.

05Common mistakes

I'll see you in Monday.

I'll see you on Monday.

Days of the week take on.

The class starts on 6:00.

The class starts at 6:00.

Clock times take at.

We met at 2020.

We met in 2020.

Years take in.

I'll call you on next week.

I'll call you next week.

Don't use a preposition before next, last or this.

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Related topics

All prepositions topics
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Previous · A2Verbs with Two ObjectsNext · A2Can, Could and Have To

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