Prepositions of Time: At, On and In

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Prepositions of Time: At, On and In

By the end: I can say when something happens using at, on and in.

Created by , British English teacher.

I’m studying:

Try the activities, then check your answers.

Start here

Say a time when you start work or study.

Read each explanation, say your answer aloud, then open the model and try again. You may write your answer if you prefer. Use invented personal details whenever you like.

Useful preparation: Existing present simple lessons; clock times, days and months.

Choose a play button when you are ready.

Learn 1

At: clock times

Use at with a clock time: at nine o’clock, at half past two. Also learn at noon and at night. Use these short time phrases after a simple statement about your day.

I start at nine o’clock.

I study at night.

Learn 2
Preserved lesson scene for I study at night. People and essential props isolated on white.
I study at night.At night identifies the time; the sentence supplies this information.

On: days and dates

Use on with a day or a date: on Monday; on the fifth of May. Use on for a named day’s morning or evening too: on Monday morning.

We meet on Friday.

The lesson is on Monday morning.

Keep next Monday as one time phrase

Without nextMy lesson is on Monday.
With nextMy lesson is next Monday.

Use no preposition before next Monday in this pattern.

A day and a clock time can work together

The dayon Wednesday

On introduces this named day.

The clock timeat seven o’clock

At introduces the clock time.

My English class is on Wednesday at seven o’clock.

Learn 3

In: months, years and parts of the day

Use in with a month, year or season: in June, in 2026, in summer. Say in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening. But use no preposition before this, next or every: next Monday; every morning.

My birthday is in June.

I study every morning.

A named day changes this time phrase

A general part of the dayin the evening

Learn in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening.

A named day’s morningon Saturday morning

Saturday names a day, so this whole phrase takes on.

Guided practice

Try each answer first. Check it, or open a model and its explanation.

Try the form

Compare an answer and explanation

at

Use at with a clock time.

Compare an answer and explanation

on

Use on with a day.

Compare an answer and explanation

in

Use in with a month.

Compare an answer and explanation

at

Learn at night as a phrase.

Build or change a sentence

Compare an answer and explanation

My class is on Monday.

Use on with Monday.

Compare an answer and explanation

I study in the morning.

Say in the morning.

Compare an answer and explanation

We meet next Friday.

Use no preposition before next Friday.

Compare an answer and explanation

on

A named day’s morning takes on.

Listen to a short conversation

Listen. Then open the words and read aloud. Try one part with a partner, or say both parts on your own.

Open the conversation transcript

A: When is your English class?

B: On Tuesday, at six o’clock.

A: Do you study in the morning too?

B: Yes. I study every morning.

Listening checks

Read the question, play its recording, then choose an answer. You can open the transcript whenever you need it.

Listening 1

1. When is the class?
Read the transcript

My English class is on Wednesday at seven o’clock.

Listening 2

2. When is the speaker’s birthday?
Read the transcript

My birthday is in March. My sister’s birthday is in June.

Listening 3

3. When does the speaker work?
Read the transcript

I study in the evening. On Saturday morning, I work.

Preserved lesson scene for We meet on Friday. People and essential props isolated on white.
We meet on Friday.On goes with a named day. The sentence supplies Friday, which a still image cannot establish.

Mastery quiz

Choose the best answer for each situation. Aim for 7 out of 8, then correct anything you missed.

1. The lesson starts ___ eight o’clock.
2. We meet ___ Friday.
3. My birthday is ___ August.
4. I read ___ the evening.
5. She works ___ night.
6. The meeting is ___ Monday morning.
7. Choose the correct sentence.
8. The course begins ___ 2027.
Answer key with explanations

  1. at Use at for a clock time.

  2. on Use on with a day.

  3. in Use in with a month.

  4. in Say in the evening.

  5. at At night is the phrase.

  6. on A named day’s morning takes on.

  7. We meet next Tuesday. Do not add a preposition before next Tuesday.

  8. in Use in with a year.

This quiz checks this lesson, not your overall English level.

Make it yours

Speak first, compare a model, then say a new version. These tasks are ungraded.

Speaking task 1

Describe three times in your week: a clock time, a day and a month.

Compare a possible response

I start work at nine. My class is on Tuesday. My holiday is in July.

Success check: Use at, on and in correctly.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 2

Tell a partner when you study. Include a part of the day and a named day’s morning or evening.

Compare a possible response

I study in the evening. I also study on Saturday morning.

Success check: Contrast in the evening with on Saturday morning.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Speaking task 3

Arrange an invented class. Give a day and time, then say when the next class is.

Compare a possible response

The class is on Thursday at six. The next class is next Monday.

Success check: Do not add a preposition before next Monday.

This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.

Recap

Listen and repeat. I start at nine o’clock. We meet on Friday. My birthday is in June.

I can say when something happens using at, on and in.

  • I can use the main pattern.
  • I can make one sentence of my own.
  • I know one thing to practise again.

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