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Prepositions of time: at, on, in
A1 A1 grammar · lesson 16 of 24
We use at, on and in to say when something happens. Each one goes with a different kind of time word.
Rule
| at | on | in |
|---|---|---|
| clock times: at 6 o’clock, at half past two | days: on Monday, on Fridays | months: in May |
| meal times: at lunchtime | dates: on 3 June | years: in 2020 |
| at night, at the weekend | special days: on my birthday | seasons: in winter |
| at Christmas, at New Year | on Monday morning | parts of the day: in the morning, in the evening |
The class starts at nine o’clock.
I go swimming on Tuesdays.
Anna was born in 1998.
We go skiing in February.
I read in the evening.
The shops are closed on Sunday.
It is cold here in winter.
Do you work at the weekend?
I sleep at night.
Ali has a party on his birthday.
Special cases
- We say in the morning / afternoon / evening, but at night.
- With a day and a part of the day, use on: on Friday evening, on Sunday morning.
- We say at the weekend (British English). You may also hear on the weekend (American English).
No preposition
Do not use at, on or in before this, next, last, every, today, tomorrow: I’m busy this week. I go to the gym every day. See you tomorrow.
Common mistakes
✗ I get up in 7 o’clock.
✓ I get up at 7 o’clock.
✗ See you in Monday.
✓ See you on Monday.
✗ My birthday is on July.
✓ My birthday is in July.
✗ I visit my aunt on next week.
✓ I visit my aunt next week.