In, On, At: Prepositions of Time and Place

In this lesson, you will learn about the prepositions “in,” “on,” and “at” and how to use them correctly. These prepositions can indicate both time and place depending on their usage. Understanding prepositions will help you see the relationship between different words in a sentence.

You will find explanations of prepositions of time and place, along with examples of how “in,” “on,” and “at” can be applied in various contexts. The lesson also includes an infographic and a video to provide visual learning aids. This will help you grasp the concepts more effectively.

In, On, At

Pin

What Are Prepositions of Time?

Prepositions of time show the relationship of time between parts of a sentence. They explain how ideas relate in terms of time. Common ways they’re used include:

• Indicating an unspecific amount of time (e.g. in)
• Indicating a specific date (e.g. on)
• Indicating a specific time (e.g. at)
• Indicating a time span (e.g. from… to…)
• Indicating something prior to something else (e.g. before)
• Indicating something happening during another event (e.g. during)

In: When used as a preposition of time, “in” represents an unspecific amount of time or a more general period.

• I like to swim in summer.
• I should be home in a week or two.
• John turned 18 in 1996.

On: As a preposition of time, “on” refers to a specific date.

• I’ll be home on Sunday.
• Let’s go out to eat on Valentine’s Day.
• Jenny has to go to the dentist on the 15th of February.

At: When used as a preposition of time, “at” indicates a specific time.

• Meet me in the park at 6pm.
• The movie starts at 7.
• Snow usually falls at Christmas time.

What Are Prepositions of Place?

Prepositions of place work similarly but show the relationship of place between sentence parts. Reasons you might use them include:

• Indicating an enclosed space or large area (e.g. in)
• Indicating a surface or a specific place in a larger area (e.g. on)
• Indicating a certain point (e.g. at)
• Indicating position of something relative to another (e.g. behind)
• Indicating position in the middle (e.g. between)
• Indicating position with objects further apart (e.g. near)

In: When used as a preposition of place, “in” refers to something inside an enclosed space or a larger area.

• Tim was waiting in the car.
• Paris is located in France.
• The best food can be found in the center of the city.

On: When used as a preposition of place, “on” indicates something situated on top of something else or in a specific place in a larger area.

• You should head to the theatre on Second Street.
• The apple was on the table.
• James was looking for a doctor’s office on Main Street.

At: As a preposition of place, “at” is used to show a certain point. It is the most specific of the three prepositions to indicate a specific place.

• You can find my office at 612 Made Up Street.
• I picked this book up at the library.
• I had to ask for a refund at the store.

How to Use In, On, At Correctly

Prepositions of Time (In, On, At)

Pin

IN is used for non-specific times such as years and months.

In + Parts of the day

• In the morning
• In the afternoon
• In the evening

In + Months

• In January
• In February

In + Seasons

• In (the) spring
• In (the) summer

IN + Years

• In 1980
• In 1969

In + Decades

• In the 1960s
• In the seventies

In + Centuries

• In the 15th century
• In the 21st century

IN + Weeks

• In a week
• In 2 weeks

IN + Periods of time

• In the past
• In the next century
• In the future
• In the middle ages
• In a moment

IN + Holidays

• In the Easter holiday

ON is used for dates, days of the week, and holidays with “day”.

On + Days

• On Monday
• On Thursday
• On Sunday

On + Dates

• On April 3rd
• On 1st January 2013
• On the 10th
• On the first day

On + Holidays with “day”

• On New Year’s Day
• On Christmas Day
• On Easter Day

On + Specific days

• On my birthday
• On my wedding day
• On that day

On + Time

• On the weekend (U.S.)
• On weekdays
• On time
• On a summer evening

On + Day + Part of day

• On Sunday morning(s)
• On Friday afternoon(s)
• On Monday evening(s)

AT is used for specific times and holidays without “day”.

At + Hours

• At 7 am
• At 12 o’clock

At + Parts of the day

• At night
• At noon/ midday
• At midnight

At + Holidays without “day”

• At Easter
• At Christmas
• At New Year

At + Time

• At present
• At the weekend (U.K)
• At breakfast
• At the moment

Prepositions of Place (In, On, At)

Pin

IN is used for the largest or most general places.

In + Countries

• In England
• In America

In + Cities

• In London
• In New York

In + Neighborhood

• In Manhattan
• In Chinatown

In + Enclosed Space

• In a traffic jam
• In a building
• In a car

ON is used for more specific places, like certain streets.

On + Means of transport

• On a bus
• On a train
• On a plane

On + Communications

• On the radio
• On the television
• On the phone
• On the Internet

On + Surfaces

• On a table
• On a wall
• On the floor
• On the roof

AT is used for exact addresses or intersections.

At + Exact Addresses or Intersections

• At 23 Birch Street
• At 734 State Street

At + Specific Locations/ Points

• At The Empire State Building
• At the corner
• At the bus stop

At, In, On | Video

Learn a simple method to use prepositions of TIME and PLACE AT, IN, ON Correctly with a video lesson.