Prepositions of Time: Making Time Your Ally

A2
Written By Key Kapo

Prepositions of time—like at, on, and in—are the little words that help us explain when something happens. They’re like the connectors in your sentences, adding clarity to your plans and routines. Let’s dive into how they work, with some fun twists along the way!

1. The Precision of "At" – Pinpoint the Moment

Use "at" for specific times and small, exact points in time.
Think of "at" as a laser pointer—it zooms in on a precise moment.

Examples:

  • "Let’s meet at 3 p.m." 🕒

  • "The fireworks start at midnight." 🎆

Quick Tip: Imagine a clock in your head. If you can point to a time on that clock, use "at."

2. The Grounding of "On" – Days and Dates

Use "on" when referring to specific days or dates.
It’s like pinning something on your calendar—it sticks to a particular day.

Examples:

  • "I have a meeting on Monday." 🗓️

  • "Our anniversary is on July 4th." 🎉

Quick Tip: If it’s a day of the week or a date on the calendar, "on" is your go-to!

3. The Comfort of "In" – Big Picture Timing

Use "in" for longer periods like months, years, centuries, or vague chunks of time.
Think of "in" as stepping into a larger time container.

Examples:

  • "I was born in December." ❄️

  • "People used typewriters in the 1980s." ⌨️

Quick Tip: If it feels like a season or a chunk of history, you’re probably safe with "in."

4. Mastering the Trio: A Café Date

Let’s say you’re setting up a coffee date:

  • At: "Let’s meet at 10 a.m.." (Exact time)

  • On: "How about on Saturday?" (Specific day)

  • In: "Perfect! I’ll see you in the morning." (Part of the day)

Notice how the prepositions smoothly guide the plan? It’s all about zooming in or zooming out on time.

5. Fun Comparisons: How They Feel

  • "At": The exact moment. (Think: The sharp second your alarm goes off!)

  • "On": The day or date. (Think: Marking your calendar for a holiday.)

  • "In": The broader frame. (Think: Seasons, months, or even centuries.)

A Few Common Expressions

  • At night, at noon, at sunrise.

  • On my birthday, on Christmas Day, on weekends.

  • In the morning, in the past, in 2025.

Fun Practice Idea

Think of your daily routine and describe it using prepositions of time:

  • "I wake up at 7 a.m., have a coffee in the morning, and go to the gym on Saturdays."

You’ll notice how naturally they fit into your schedule!

Key Kapo
Next

"There Is" vs. "There Are" – Making Sense of What’s Around You