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Understanding the Usage of Prepositions for Time and Place in English can be challenging for many language learners. Among them: In, On, At are the most frequently used prepositions. To help you distinguish and comprehend these three prepositions better, Mytour shares an article on the proper usage of In, On, and At in English, along with accompanying exercises to reinforce your knowledge.
I - Mastering the Usage of Time Prepositions In, On, At
1. Preposition In
- Used to denote longer periods of time such as months, years, seasons, decades, centuries: in August/ in 2020/ in the 1990s/ in (the) summer/ in the 20th century/ in the Middle Ages.
Example: In the summer, people enjoy going to the beach.
This majestic edifice was constructed during the 18th century.
- Employed for specific holidays, courses, and daytime sessions (excluding at night, at noon): in the morning/ afternoon/ evening, in the Easter holiday/ in the summer term.
For example: The majority of students seek temporary employment during the summer break.
I'm scheduled for a class at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
- Used to indicate the time required to complete something or a future timeframe.
For instance: I cracked this puzzle within 5 minutes.
The cinema will commence operations in a fortnight (The movie theater will open in two weeks).
- In time: punctual, timely
For example: Will you make it home in time for dinner?
If you aim to catch the concert on schedule, you'll need to pick up the pace.
2. Preposition On
- Used to denote a day of the week or a specific date: on Sunday/ on June 29/ on June 30, 2020.
For instance: I've got an appointment scheduled for Tuesday.
My birthday falls on the 23rd of August.
- Used to denote a day during a holiday or specific times of the day: On Christmas day/ on New Year's/ on Easter Monday, on Sunday mornings/ on Friday afternoons, on my birthday.
For example: Do you typically go out on Saturday evenings?
What's your usual Christmas Day routine?
- Punctual: Being on time
Example: Hoa is perpetually tardy. She's consistently late.
3. Preposition At
- Used to specify moments in time: at 5 o'clock/ at night/ at midnight/ at noon/ at lunchtime/ at sunset/ at sunrise/ at dawn.
For example: They arrived precisely at 2:45.
I avoid going out when it's dark (I don't like going out at night).
- Used to refer to holidays (entire days during the holiday period): at the weekend/ at weekends/ at Christmas/ at New Year/ at Easter.
For instance: We typically give red envelopes during the New Year.
What's your usual weekend routine?
- Used in time-related phrases: at the moment/ at present/ at the same time/ at that time/ at first.
For example: I'm currently occupied.
I multitask by listening to music while I work.
***Tip: There's a poem about remembering how to use prepositions of time In, On, At in English effectively:
'IN' for years, 'IN' for months, 'IN' for seasons
Morning, afternoon, and evening, 'IN' it fits for reasons
Switch to 'AT' for hours, it's clear and neat
For days, for dates, 'ON' is what you seek
For noon and night, no need to fight
'AT' is right for both, it's quite a sight
For longer times, 'ON' leads the way
No confusion, it's the right display'.
II - Using prepositions to indicate location In, On, At
1. Preposition In
- In is used to indicate position within a space: in the chamber/ in the garden...
Example: The Mytour team is currently inside the conference room (The Mytour team is in the meeting room now).
- In is used before the names of villages, cities, countries: in Vietnam, in Hanoi...
For example: Mytour stands as a premier platform offering tech insights within Vietnam.
Mytour's headquarters are situated in Hanoi.
- In is used with modes of transportation by car or taxi: in a car/ in a taxi.
Example: Mai arrived by car (Mai arrived in a car).
- In is used to indicate direction: in the North/ West/ South/ East.
Example: The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
- In is used in a phrase indicating location: In the middle of, in the back of/ in the front of something...
Example: When Linh called, I was in the midst of preparing dinner.
2. Preposition On
- On is used to indicate position on a surface: on the table/ carpet/ wall/ ceiling/ screen/ door/ map...
Example: There's a book resting on the table.
- On is used to denote hiding places or floor numbers (of a building): on the platform/ railway/ island/ farm/ beach, on the ground, on the 1st/ 2nd/ 3rd floor.
For example: Mytour's office is situated on the 23rd floor of this building.
- On is used with public or personal transportation (excluding cars and taxis): on a bus/ train/ plane/ ship/ motorbike/ bicycle/ horse.
Example: I'll head to the bus stop early tomorrow to ensure I secure a seat on the bus > public transportation.
An rode past me on his bicycle > personal transportation.
- On is used in certain phrases indicating position: on the left/ right, on the front/ back (of a letter...), on sb's left/ right.
Example: The search results display on the right side of the screen.
3. Preposition At
- At is used to denote a specific location, workplace, or study place: at home, at station/ airport/ office...
For example: I commenced my employment at Mytour in October last year.
- At is used to indicate a position: at the top/ at the bottom (of a page...), at the front/ at the back (of a building...), at the beginning/ at the end (of a meeting...).
Example: Mytour's office is located at the far end of the hallway.
- At is used to denote house numbers, offices, shops, or someone's address: at the doctor's office, at Hoa's house, at 285 Nguyen Trai Street.
For example: We typically rendezvous at 285 Nguyen Trai Street.
- At is used before email addresses.
Example: Reach out to me at [email protected] (send me an email at [email protected]).
- At is utilized to denote events, parties: at the party, at the meeting, at the concert, at the match, at the lecture.
Example: I bumped into Thanh at last night's party (I met Thanh at the party last night).
For further insight into the usage of In, On, At as prepositions of place, refer to the article Mastering Prepositions of Place in English by Mytour. The article includes specific examples to help you visualize the context of usage, as well as practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
III - Application Exercises
Learning must go hand in hand with practice for effectiveness. Therefore, after studying the theory, you should apply it by completing the following practice exercises:
* Exercise 1: Fill in the correct preposition of time in, on, at in each sentence:
1. Mozart was born in Salzburg.....1756.
2. I haven't seen Kate for a few days. I last saw her..... Tuesday.
3. The price of electricity is going up..... the summer.
4. I've been invited to the wedding..... 14 July.
5. Hurry up! We've got to go.... 5 minutes.
6. I'm busy now but I'll be with you..... the moment.
7. There are usually a lot of parties..... New Year's Eve.
8. I hope the weather will be nice..... the weekend.
9. ..... Saturday night I went to bed..... 10 o'clock.
10. Mary and Henry always go out for a meal..... their wedding anniversary.
Compare with the answers to see how many you got right.
Answers: 1 - in, 2 - on, 3 - in, 4 - in, 5 - at, 6 - at, 7 - at, 8 - on, 9 - on, 10 - on.
* Exercise 2: Fill in the prepositions of time and place in, on, at in the following sentences:
1. Natasha now lives..... 32 The Avenue.
2. I might not be home..... Friday morning but I'll probably be there..... the afternoon.
3. It can be dangerous when children play..... the street.
4. It was quite a short book and easy to read. I read it..... a day.
5. Henry is 63. He'll be retiring from his job ..... two years' time.
Answers: 1 - at, 2 - on - in, 3 - in/on, 4 - in, 5 - in.
Thus, the prepositions In, On, At are extensively used in English, and mastering their usage is essential. To use these prepositions accurately and effectively in various contexts, it's best to memorize, practice, and apply them regularly.
Additionally, you can explore more articles on the correct usage of question marks in English to use them more accurately and effectively!
