Skip to main content

Prepositions of Time & Place In, On, At

Many people cannot use prepositions in, on, at properly and more frequently you will face the question where should I apply in, on, at prepositions? Well, before answering this question, we should know what is preposition in English grammar?

 Well, the preposition is a word or set of words that may refer location (in, on, at, near) or some times make a relationship between a noun or pronoun and other parts of the sentence. 

 When we talk about time and place, we use three words most frequently these are in, on and at. These frequently repeated words are the prepositions and they show a relationship between two words in a sentence. Many speakers, basically non-native English speaker sometimes find it difficult to use them properly, make confusion. Therefore, to make it easy and understandable, here are some rules to be followed.

Prepositions of Time- in, on, at

We generally use:
  • in for Months, Years, Centuries, Long periods
  • on for Days and Dates or more specific periods
  • at for a Precise Time
When talking about time, we use preposition in to refer a longer period of time i.e. years, decades, months or even centuries. For example, we say,
  • in July
  • in 2019
  • in the 21st century
  • in the 90's
  • in spring
When to express more specific periods time, such as particular days, holidays, or dates, we use on. For example, 
  • on Friday
  • on June 4th
  • on the weekend
  • on John's birthday
  • on Easter day
However, to describe the most specific period of times, such as midnight, noon, 10 pm etc., we use preposition at. We use at for holidays when the word days is missing. For instance,
  • at Easter time
  • at noon
  • at midnight

Prepositions of Place- in, on, at

To refer a most general place i.e. Countries, cities, neighborhoods etc., generally, use in preposition. For example,
  • in Australia
  • in Sydney
  • in a car
  • in Chinatown
Unlike time, for more specific places i.e. avenues, surfaces, streets, etc. generally, use the preposition on. The best example could be, Mr. Smith lives on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. For example,
  • on Columbus
  • on seventh avenue
  • on the floor
Similarly, to express the exact address or specific places, we generally use at preposition. "Meet me at 200 bank street", could be a good example. Also, 
  • at 210 bank street
  • at 230 Independence Avenue
  • at station
Hope this article will give you a clear view of prepositions basically in at on. If you would like to know the parts of speech with a clear example, I've published a nice article for you worth reading.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

10 IELTS Reading Tips for a Band 9 Score

10 IELTS Reading Tips for a Band 9 Score Well, achieving a Band 9 score in the IELTS Reading section is a remarkable accomplishment, demonstrating an exceptional level of proficiency in English. To help you reach this goal, here are ten essential tips: 1. Understand the Test Format Before diving into preparation, familiarize yourself with the IELTS Reading test format. The test comprises three sections, each increasing in difficulty, with a total of 40 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. Understanding the types of questions (e.g., multiple choice, matching information, true/false/not given) is crucial for effective preparation. 2. Develop Skimming and Scanning Skills Skimming and scanning are vital techniques for efficient reading. Skimming involves quickly glancing through a passage to grasp the main ideas, while scanning is about looking for specific information or keywords. Practicing these techniques will help you locate answers swiftly, saving valuable time during the test. 3....
Post a Comment
Read more

How To Master Speaking in IELTS

 How to Master Speaking in IELTS The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely recognized test that measures English language proficiency. The speaking component of the IELTS can be particularly challenging as it requires fluency, coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range, and accuracy. Mastering this part of the test can significantly boost your overall score. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you excel in the IELTS speaking section. Understanding the IELTS Speaking Test The IELTS speaking test is divided into three parts: Part 1: Introduction and Interview (4-5 minutes) The examiner introduces themselves and asks you to do the same. You’ll be asked general questions about familiar topics such as your home, family, work, studies, and interests. Part 2: Long Turn (3-4 minutes) You’ll be given a Q-card with a topic and have one minute to prepare. You’ll then speak for up to two minutes on the topic. The examiner may ask one or two questions after yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

You and your family are moving to another country, and you are looking for rented accommodation there- IELTS Writing GT

You and your family are moving to another country, and you are looking for rented accommodation there. Now, write a letter to a property agent. In your letter     Introduce yourself and your family     Describe the type of accommodation that you hope to find     Give your preference for the location of the accommodation Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to ask for your help to finding accommodation in London. My name is Will Smith, and I am married with two young children. A recent promotion at work has mean that I will soon be based in London instead of Manila, and so we are hoping to emigrate as soon as possible. Our plan is to find rented accommodation for at least the first year of our stay in UK. Ideally, we would like a detached house with three or four bedrooms and a good-sized garden so that the children have somewhere to run around. We would prefer a quiet, suburban location within easy commuting distance of the city center. The loc...
Post a Comment
Read more