Prepositions of time: in, on, at
Use in, on and at with times, days, dates and periods — plus for, since, during, until and by.
In this lesson you will
- Choose in, on or at for time
- Use for, since, during, until and by
- Leave out prepositions before next, last, this, every
Learn
at + clock times and points: at 7 o’clock, at noon, at night, at the weekend (UK). on + days and dates: on Monday, on 5 June, on my birthday, on Friday morning. in + longer periods: in the morning, in July, in 2024, in summer, in the 1990s.
No preposition before next, last, this, every: next week, last Monday, this morning, every day.
for + a length of time (for three hours); since + a starting point (since 2020, since Monday); during + a period (during the film).
until = up to a time (The shop is open until 8); by = not later than (Send it by Friday).
| at | on | in |
|---|---|---|
| at 6:30 | on Tuesday | in April |
| at night | on 1 May | in the evening |
| at the weekend | on New Year’s Day | in 2030 |
Examples
- The meeting is at 10 on Thursday.
- I was born in 2001, in October.
- I’ve lived here since March.
- Please reply by Wednesday.
Vocabulary
since
from a time in the past until now
during
while something is happening
until
up to a time
by
not later than
weekday
Monday to Friday
Practice
The film starts ___ 8 pm.
Speaking
Describe your week and year: what you do at certain times, on certain days and in certain months. Use for and since about your job, home or studies.
Writing
Write an invitation to an event with the day, date, time and a reply-by date (40–60 words).
Lesson quiz
We met ___ 2019.
Review
Key points
- at + time; on + day/date; in + month/year/season/part of day.
- No preposition with next/last/this/every.
- for (length), since (start), during, until, by.
What you learned
- ✓ I can use in, on, at for time.
- ✓ I can use for and since.
- ✓ I know until vs by.
Grammar reference: Prepositions of time: in, on, at