Pay Attention to Prepositions of Time

We use prepositions of time with time expressions, when we want to talk about time.

Exam in Mind Level A1+/A2

AT
at precise time

  • at 7 o’clock
  • at half past 2
  • at a quarter to 5
  • at night
  • at noon
  • at midnight
  • at dinnertime / at lunchtime
  • at bedtime
  • at 10.30
  • at 3 p.m.
  • at sunset
  • at sunrise
  • at the moment
  • at present
  • at the same time
  • at the weekend
  • at Christmas
  • at Easter

Note that in some varieties of English people say “on the weekend” and “on Christmas”.

IN
times of the day, months, seasons, years, centuries and long periods

  • in 2010
  • in 1995
  • in the 1990s
  • in the 18th century
  • in the next century
  • in the Ice Age
  • in the future
  • in April
  • in September
  • in spring
  • in the morning
  • in the afternoon
  • in the evening
  • in a minute
  • in an hour,
  • in half an hour
  • in a week)

ON
days and dates

  • on Monday
  • on Tuesday
  • on Tuesday morning
  • on Saturdays
  • on Saturday afternoon
  • on Saturday
  • on Friday
  • on March 8th
  • on the 1st of January
  • on Wednesday evening
  • on a hot day
  • on a winter day
  • on holiday
  • on Christmas Day
  • on Christmas Eve
  • on Thanksgiving Day
  • on Halloween
  • on my birthday
  • on New Year’s Eve
  • on the last day of school

When we say last, next, every, this we do not use at, in, on.

  • I went to London last June. (not in last June)
  • He’s coming back next Tuesday. (not on next Tuesday)
  • I go home every Easter. (not at every Easter)
  • We’ll call you this evening. (not in this evening)

FROM … TO /TILL 

  • from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m.
  • from morning till night
  • from 5 o’clock till 7 o’clock
  • from 2 to 3

Task 1. Put in prepositions of time on, at, in.

______ 9 o’clock
______ night
______ the evening
______ noon
______ the weekend
______ January, 1st
______ Wednesday
______ a cold night
______ Christmas
______ spring
______ 1999
______ September

Task 2. Fill in the necessary prepositions prepositions of time: at, on, in, from … to/till

  1. I usually play basketball ____ Wednesdays and ____ Thursdays.
  2. English people celebrate Halloween ____ October.
  3. They plan to go to Germany ____ 2022.
  4. Let’s meet ____ noon at the supermarket.
  5. What do you usually do ____ the evening?
  6. Our lessons start ____ 8.30.
  7. My birthday is ____ summer.
  8. I will be busy ____ 1 p.m. ____3 p.m.
  9. He has his breakfast ____ 7.45.
  10. We don’t go to school ____ Saturday and Sunday.

Task 3. Fill in the necessary prepositions of time.

  1. I have a meeting __ 9 am.
  2. The shop closes __ midnight.
  3. Jane went home __ lunchtime.
  4. In England, it often snows __ December.
  5. Do you think we will go to Jupiter __ the future?
  6. There should be a lot of progress __ the next century.
  7. Do you work __ Mondays?
  8. Her birthday is __ 20 November.
  9. Where will you be __ New Year’s Day?
  10. The stars shine __ night.
  11. I don’t usually work __ the weekend.
  12. I stay with my family __ Christmas.
  13. We finished the test __ the same time
  14. He’s not home __ present. Try later.
  15. Let’s meet __ midday __ Saturday.
  16. The manager isn’t here __ present, but she’ll be back __ half an hour.
  17. You won’t be working __ Saturday nights __ the future, will you?
  18. I’m busy __ moment, but I’ll be free __ evening.

Task 4. Answer the questions using the prepositions of time.

  1. When is your birthday?
  2. What time do you get up?
  3. When do you do your homework?
  4. When do you decorate the New Year Tree?
  5. What days do you have many lessons?
  6. When do you go on holiday?
  7. When do you have your holidays?