English — Grammar: Prepositions of Time (in, on, at) — 1st Year Middle School — Algeria

Prepositions of Time (in, on, at)

Introduction

Prepositions of time (in, on, at) are used to indicate when something happens. At is used for specific times, on for days and dates, in for months, years, seasons and longer periods. These prepositions are essential for talking about schedules, appointments, and daily routines.

Rules

• AT: specific times (at 8 o’clock, at noon, at midnight, at sunset), holidays (at Christmas, at Eid). “I wake up at 7am”
• ON: days (on Monday, on Friday), dates (on 5 July, on May 1st). “My birthday is on 15 June”
• IN: months (in January), years (in 2024), seasons (in summer), parts of day (in the morning). “I was born in 2010”

Exceptions

• No preposition before: this, last, next, every. “I will see you next week” (not “in next week”)
• “In the morning” but “on Monday morning” (day + part of day)
• “At night” (exception for part of day)

Exercises

1. Complete: “I get up ___ 7 o’clock”, “My birthday is ___ June”, “School starts ___ 8 September”. 2. Write 5 sentences about your schedule using in/on/at. 3. Correct: “I will see you in next Monday”. 4. Ask 3 questions using prepositions of time.

Summary

AT for specific times (at 8am), ON for days/dates (on Monday), IN for months/years/seasons (in July). No preposition before this, last, next, every. Practice with your daily schedule.

Useful links: Prefixes and Suffixes | Argumentative Essay