Prepositions of Time and Place
01 · Quick explanation
In, on and at show time and place. The choice depends on how general or exact the time or place is.
02 · Full explanation
Time: at for exact times and some expressions (at 7 o'clock, at night, at the weekend in British English); on for days and dates (on Monday, on 16 December, on my birthday); in for months, years, seasons and parts of the day (in May, in 2024, in winter, in the morning). Place: in for inside a space (in the box, in Almaty, in Kazakhstan); on for a surface or line (on the table, on the wall, on the second floor); at for a point or place where something happens (at the bus stop, at school, at home, at the door). There is no preposition before this, next, last, every (next week, every day).
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ at + time / point: at 5 p.m., at the door
- The lesson starts at nine.
- My birthday is in June.
05 · Negative
− on + day / date / surface: on Friday, on the desk
- We don't have classes on Sunday.
- The keys aren't in my bag.
06 · Question
? in + month / year / space: in July, in the room
- What do you do at the weekend?
- Is your flat on the fifth floor?
07 · Examples
ENI get up at 7 o'clock.
KZМен сағат 7-де тұрамын.
RUЯ встаю в 7 часов.
ENWe have a test on Friday.
KZЖұма күні бізде тест бар.
RUВ пятницу у нас контрольная.
ENNauryz is in March.
KZНаурыз наурыз айында тойланады.
RUНаурыз празднуют в марте.
ENThe picture is on the wall.
KZСурет қабырғада ілулі тұр.
RUКартина висит на стене.
ENShe is waiting at the bus stop.
KZОл аялдамада күтіп тұр.
RUОна ждёт на остановке.
ENThe shop closes at 9 p.m.
KZДүкен кешкі сағат 9-да жабылады.
RUМагазин закрывается в 9 вечера.
ENMy birthday is on 12 April.
KZМенің туған күнім 12 сәуірде.
RUМой день рождения 12 апреля.
ENWe go skiing in winter.
KZҚыста біз шаңғы тебеміз.
RUЗимой мы катаемся на лыжах.
ENThe cat is in the box.
KZМысық қораптың ішінде.
RUКошка в коробке.
ENI'll meet you at the entrance.
KZСені кіреберісте күтемін.
RUВстретимся у входа.
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ in Monday
✓ on Monday
Days take on.
✗ at 2010
✓ in 2010
Years take in.
✗ I will see you on next week.
✓ I will see you next week.
No preposition before next.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
in vs on vs at (place)
In = inside a space. On = on a surface. At = a point or a place for an activity.
The milk is in the fridge.
The phone is on the fridge.
He is in the hospital building.
She works at a hospital.
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
The film starts ___ 8 p.m.
2. Choose the correct answer:
I was born ___ 2012.
3. Choose the correct answer:
We play football ___ Saturdays.
4. Fill in the gap:
My grandparents live ___ Kostanay.
5. Fill in the gap:
Your book is ___ the desk.
6. Fill in the gap:
I always drink tea ___ the morning.
7. Fill in the gap:
Wait for me ___ the bus stop.
8. Choose the correct answer:
It is very cold here ___ winter.
9. Correct the sentence:
My birthday is in 5 May.
10. Correct the sentence:
I'll call you at next Monday.
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.