The most common prepositions of time are at, in, and on. We use them to indicate when a particular action or event takes place. The usage forms and usage examples of the prepositions of time 'in, on, at' are listed below.
in
It is used with parts of the day, longer periods of time such as months, seasons and years, and some time phrases:
| parts of the day | • in the morning |
| months | • in April |
| seasons | • in summer |
| years, centuries, decades | • in 2013 • in 20th century • in the 1990s |
| other time phrases | • in 5 minutes • in two days • in a week • in the past • in the future |
on
It is used with days or dates:
| days | • on Monday • on Fridays • on my birthday • on Christmas day • on Monday morning |
| dates | • on June 1 • on the 6th of January |
| other time phrases | • on weekends (American) • on the weekend (American) |
at
It is used with specific time such as clock times, mealtimes, holidays, and some time phrases:
| clock times | • at 4 o’clock • at 10.30 |
| mealtimes | • at lunchtime • at break time |
| holidays | • at Christmas • at Chinese New Year |
| other time phrases | • at night • at noon • at sunset • at sunrise • at present • at the moment • at the same time • at weekends (British) • at the weekend (British) |
EXAMPLE SENTENCES
• I was born in 1990.
• I was born on 2 June 1990.
• My birthday is in June.
• I go on holiday in summer.
• We can meet in the afternoon.
• We can finish the work in two weeks.
• Are you free on Monday?
• We usually meet on Saturdays.
• He was born on June 1.
• He was born at 9.02 am, on June 1.
• I got up at 8.00 o’clock.
• I am busy at the moment.
• I can do two things at the same time.
• He will come on the 6th of January.
• He wants to be a doctor in the future.
• Life was hard in the past.
∗ on Easter or at Easter?
‘On Ester’ is used to talk about the Easter day itself, and ‘at Easter’ is used to talk about Easter in general.
• I saw him on Easter. (Easter day)
• What do you do at Easter? (during Easter)
