At, in, on – prepositions of time
Why Students Confuse "At," "In," and "On"
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Different Rules in Native Languages: Many languages have different rules for prepositions, or they might not use them in the same way. This can lead to confusion when translating thoughts directly from a native language to English.
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Overlapping Concepts: The concepts of time can be broad and sometimes overlapping. For example, "in the morning" and "on Monday morning" both refer to times, but one uses "in" and the other uses "on."
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Learning Context: Students might learn these prepositions in isolation without enough context or examples, making it hard to remember the correct usage.
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Practice and Exposure: Insufficient practice and exposure to English in natural settings can hinder the learning process. Without frequent use, it’s easy to forget the rules.
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Similar Sounds: The prepositions "at," "in," and "on" are short and sound similar, which can make it easy to mix them up, especially when speaking quickly or under pressure.
Understanding "At," "In," and "On" for Time
Prepositions of time can be tricky, but once you understand the rules, they become much easier to use. Let's break down when to use "at," "in," and "on."
1. At – Specific Times
We use "at" to refer to specific times on the clock. It points to a precise moment, making it very specific.
Examples:
I wake up at 7:00 AM.
The meeting starts at 3:00 PM.
We have lunch at noon.
She goes to bed at midnight.
Think of "at" as a pinpoint on the timeline of your day. It marks exact times.
2. In – Periods of Time
"In" is used for longer periods of time, such as months, years, centuries, and parts of the day.
Examples:
My birthday is in June.
He was born in 1990.
We go swimming in the summer.
She likes to read in the evening.
Use "in" when you are talking about an entire month, year, season, or part of the day.
3. On – Days and Dates
"On" is used for days and specific dates.
Examples:
We have a meeting on Monday.
Her birthday is on July 20.
They go to church on Sundays.
The exam is on Friday morning.
"On" is perfect for pointing out specific days of the week or calendar dates.
Common Errors and Tips
Learning to use these prepositions correctly can help you avoid some common mistakes. Here are a few examples:
Incorrect: I will see you in Monday. Correct: I will see you on Monday.
Incorrect: My birthday is at June. Correct: My birthday is in June.
Incorrect: The party is in 5 PM. Correct: The party is at 5 PM.
Incorrect: She was born at 1995. Correct: She was born in 1995.
Incorrect: The festival is on summer. Correct: The festival is in summer.
Everyday Use
Using these prepositions correctly helps make your English clearer and more precise. For instance, if you say, "The class is at morning," it can be confusing. The correct way is "The class is in the morning."
Here are some more everyday examples:
At: The train leaves at 9:45 AM.
In: I love to go hiking in the autumn.
On: We have a picnic on Saturday.
Quick Reference Table
To make things clearer, here’s a handy table to summarize when to use each preposition:
|
Preposition |
Use for |
Examples |
|
At |
Specific times |
at 7:00 AM, at midnight, at noon |
|
In |
Months, years, parts of the day, longer periods |
in June, in 1990, in the evening, in the summer |
|
On |
Days, dates |
on Monday, on July 20, on weekends |
Theory and Rules
At is like a pinpoint in time. Use it when you want to refer to a specific moment, not a duration or period.
In represents a period or an extended duration. Use it for parts of the day (except for night), months, seasons, years, and longer periods.
On is for days and dates. It's like putting a pin on a calendar.
Common Errors and Everyday Use
It’s easy to mix up these prepositions, especially if your native language uses different rules. The key is to practice and remember these simple guidelines:
At: Think of it as a specific point on the clock.
In: Imagine it covering a whole area, like a month or season.
On: Visualize it marking a specific day or date on your calendar.
FAQ
Can I use "at" for days?
No, "at" is used for specific times. Use "on" for days.
Do I use "in" or "on" for parts of the day?
Use "in" for parts of the day (e.g., in the morning), but "on" for specific days (e.g., on Monday morning).
Is "at night" correct?
Yes, "at night" is correct because it refers to a specific period during the night.
Should I use "in" for years?
Yes, use "in" for years (e.g., in 1990).
How do I know which preposition to use?
Remember the general rules: "at" for specific times, "in" for longer periods, and "on" for days and dates. Practice with examples to get familiar with them.