Today’s topic is: Time Prepositions

At 2 o’clock, in the morning, in the 18th century, on Sunday; these are all specific points or periods of time, but as you can see they come with different prepositions. In, on and at are the three main prepositions of time in English and each is used for a particular type of time.

Now listen to the following examples for each preposition:

At + precise time

• I get up at 6 o’clock.
• We’re having the roof repaired at Easter.
  • Note the difference between at Easter and on Easter. When at Easter is used it means during the whole time of the holiday.

In + long periods of time

(Such as months, seasons, years and centuries)

• I was born in March.
• It happened in the week after Christmas.
• He died in 1616.
• Our house was built in the 15th century.
• Kent is beautiful in spring.
  • Note the difference between in the night and at the night:
    • I had to get up in the night (at a particular time during the night).
    • I had to work at night (during all night).

On + Days and Dates 

• I’ll call on Tuesday.
• They are having a party on Christmas Day.
• My birthday is on August 24th.