At, On and In

At, On and In

When speak any language, we either speak about past time, present time or future time. We make references to time through the use of appropriate forms of verbs and other lexical items (adverbs and prepositions of time). In my previous article ‘Developing a Sense of Past, Present and Future’, I have discussed the forms of verbs.  In the present article, I am going to discuss the use of basic prepositions of time, namely, at, on and in.

We use the preposition ‘at’ before exact clock time. 

at	5 o’clock 6 p.m. midnight noon

 

  For example, I come to college at 9 o’clock everyday.

We use the preposition ‘on’ before the names of days and dates.

On	Sunday Monday 14th April New Year’s Day

For example, I will go for a movie on Sunday.

We use the preposition ‘in’ before the names of months, years and seasons.

In	May 2004 winter

            For example, I complete M.A. in 2004.

We do not use at, on or in when the adverb of time (August, Monday etc.) is preceded by this, last, next or every.

            For example, I called him this morning.

                                 We will go to Mumbai next Sunday.

                                 They attended the meeting last summer.

                                 I come to college every day.

We usually use in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening.

            For example, What do you usually do in the evening?

But, if these adverbs of time (morning, afternoon etc.) are preceded by the names of days, we use the preposition ‘on’ and not ‘in’

            For example, What are you doing on Sunday morning?

We use the article ‘at’ before the following adverbs of time.

·        At night

·        At the weekend

·        At Christmas ( on Christmas Day)

·        At the moment

·        At the end of May

Thus, the use of prepositions of time is as important as the use of appropriate forms of verbs to express time in English.  Verb forms, prepositions of time and adverbs of time and frequency help the speaker express time  effectively.

References:

Murphy, R. (1992). ESSENTIAL ENGLISH GRAMMAR, Cambridge University Press, New Delhi.