We use prepositions of time for specific periods of time. For example, the clock time, dates of events or festivals, months or days of the week and general times of the day. Here you will find some rules and explanations that help you understand how to use them.
On
We use on for specific days or dates:
Days of the week
Dates
Special Days
Days + parts of the day
The Science Fair is on Saturday.
The baseball game is on Wednesday.
There’s a swimming competition onFebruary 21st.
The festival is on October 5th.
Mexicans celebrate The Mother’s Day on May 10th.
We have a special dinner on Christmas Eve.
I usually organize a party on my birthday.
The chess competition is on Tuesday evening.
The car race is on Friday morning.
There aren’t marathons on weekdays.
We say on weekends in the USA, but we say at weekends in Britain.
Examples:
Americans celebrate their independence on July 4th.
People usually give presents on Valentine´s Day.
I don’t go to school on weekends.
There’s a great party on Friday.
The soccer match is on Sunday morning.
In
Months
We celebrate St Valentine’s in February.
I usually go on vacation in June
Years
I got married in 2007.
Julian was born in 2000.
Seasons
It is very hot in summer.
There are a lot of flowers in spring.
Centuries
We live in the 21st century
In the 18th century life the industrial revolution began to transform life in Britain.
Length of time
Let’s meet in 2 hours.
Our class starts in 10 minutes.
Parts of the day
I take a shower in the morning.
I usually read the newspaper in the afternoon.
I watch TV in the evening.
At
We use at when we want to mention the time an event starts or finishes.
A: What time does the party start?
B: The party starts at 6:00 pm.
The movie starts at 7:30 and finishes at 9:20 in the evening.
We use at when we refer to public holidays:
At Christmas
At Thanksgiving
At Easter
Example
We’re celebrating together at Christmas.
We use this preposition for a specific time, check these phrases:
At
night
At midday
/noon
At midnight
At lunchtime
At bedtime
The party with my crush finished at midnight.
I like watching the news at lunchtime.
