E. Compare your list from D with a partner. Do you do the same things?
GRAMMAR 1: PREPOSITIONS OF TIME
IN
ON
AT
in + year/month/season
in 1988
in September
in winter
in the 21st century
on + day/date
on Wednesday
on 15 April
on that day
at + clock time/meal time
at three o’clock
at lunch (time)
at that time
at the same time
at the moment
in + a week or more
in the Easter holiday
in the autumn term
on + a single day
on Easter Monday
on Christmas day
at + two or three days
at Easter/Christmas
at the weekend
in + a part of the day
in the morning
in the evening
on+ a day + a part of the day
on Friday morning
at night
NB We do not use in, on, at before every, last, next, this, tomorrow, yesterday.
We go to Greece every summer.
I will see you next Friday.
The party is tomorrow evening.
in time = early enough
We will have to hurry if we want to be in time for the show.
We got to the airport in time to have a coffee before checking in.
on time = at the right time, on schedule
The plane took off on time.
Rachel is never on time. She is always late.
in is used for a future time measured from the present
The photos will be ready in an hour.
inis used for the time it takes to complete something
I did the crossword in five minutes.
A. Insert at, on or in where necessary.
1) … 6 June
6) … September
11)... ten minutes
2) … 8 o’clock
7) … Saturday night
12) ... night
3) … Saturday
8) … the weekend
13)… breakfast time
4) … this evening
9) … the morning
14) … every weekend
5) … 2009
10)... last night
15) … next week
B. Insert at, on or in where necessary.
1) Bill Gates was born in Seattle ….. 1955.
2) I haven’t seen Ann for a few days. I last saw her ….. Wednesday.
3) The price of electricity is going up ….. January.
4) I’ve been invited to the wedding …. 14 February.
5) Hurry up! We’ve got to go …. five minutes.
6) I’m busy just now but I’ll be with you ….. a moment.
7) Jenny’s brother is an engineer, but he is out of work ….. the moment.
8) There are usually a lot of parties …. Christmas.
9) I hope the weather will be nice …. the weekend.
10) …. Saturday night I went to bed …. 11 p.m.
11) I don’t like travelling …. night.
12) We travelled overnight to Paris and arrived …. 5 o’clock …. the morning.
13) The course begins …. 7 January and ends sometime …. April.
14) My brother came home …. last Christmas.
15) It was quite a short book and easy to read. I read it …. a day.
16) I might not be at home … Tuesday morning but I’ll probably be there … the afternoon.
17) My car is being repaired in the garage. It will be ready …. two hours.
18) The group set off … yesterday morning.
19) The telephone and the bell rang … the same time.
20) I’m pretty busy … this week. I’m afraid I can’t see you … Friday.
C. Complete the sentences with ‘in time’ and ‘on time’.
1) The bus was late this morning but it is usually …
2) I like to get up … to have a big breakfast before going to work.
3) We want to start the meeting …, so don’t be late.
4) I have just washed this shirt. I want to wear it this evening, so I hope it will be dry …
5) The train service isn’t very good. The trains are rarely …
6) I nearly forgot that it was Joe’s birthday. Fortunately I remembered …
7) Why are you never …? You always keep everybody waiting.