A1 · Lesson 15 · 20 min
Time and place prepositions
In this lesson
- I can use at, in and on for common times.
- I can use at, in and on for common places.
Grammar in context
Nadia works at a café in Bristol. She starts work at eight o'clock on Mondays. Today, she is in the kitchen, and her phone is on a small table.
Which word comes before eight o'clock, Mondays, the kitchen and a small table?
At for exact times and points
Use at with a clock time: at seven o’clock. Also use it for a meeting point or a familiar place: at the bus stop, at the door, at school. We say at lunchtime and at night.
- The shop opens at 9.00.
- Leo is waiting at the station.
In for longer times and areas
Use in with months, years and parts of the day: in July, in 2026, in the morning. Use it for an area or the inside of something: in Bristol, in the kitchen, in my bag.
- We have a holiday in August.
- My keys are in my bag.
On for days and surfaces
Use on with days and dates: on Friday, on Monday morning, on 12 May. Use it for a surface: on the table, on the wall. The word stays the same in a negative: The class is not on Tuesday.
- The library is closed on Sunday.
- There is a photo on the wall.
Common mistakes
Compare the incorrect and corrected forms.
Avoid
I meet my cousin in Saturday.
Use
I meet my cousin on Saturday.
Use on before days of the week.
Avoid
The children are on the garden.
Use
The children are in the garden.
Use in for an area such as a garden.
Put it into practice
Try the exercises, write your own examples and check your understanding.