Today you’ll learn the basic difference between them and the correct preposition to use for time and place.
How to use in, on, at for TIME
Use in for months, seasons, years, and periods of the day:
- in April
- in November
- in the winter
- in the fall
- in 2021
- in 1947
- in the 1800s
- in the 1970s
- in the morning
- in the afternoon
- in the evening
(exception: at night)
Use on for days and dates:
- on Friday
- on the 4th of July
- on my birthday
- on Sunday
Use at for times:
- at 9:00
- at 5 AM
- at half past six
- at midnight
- at 8:45
How to use in, on, at for PLACE
Use in for cities, countries, rooms, buildings, and closed/limited spaces:
- in New York City
- in Spain
- in the bathroom
- in a restaurant
- in a bus
- in a neighborhood
Use on for streets and surfaces:
- on Main Street
- on Oakwood Avenue
- on interstate 85 (a highway)
- on the table
- on the wall
- on the floor
Use at for points and contexts:
- at the bus stop
- at work
- at school
In, on, at: Summary Chart
TIME |
PLACE |
|
IN |
Months
Seasons
Years
Periods of the day
(exception: at night) |
Cities and countries
Rooms and buildings
Closed spaces
|
TIME |
PLACE |
|
ON |
Dates and days
|
Streets
Mass public transportation
A surface
|
TIME |
PLACE |
|
AT |
Times
|
Points
Contexts
|
See more examples of in, on, and at
Try the quiz below to test your understanding of when to use in, on, and at!
In, On, or At?
Congratulations - you have completed In, On, or At?.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%
Your answers are highlighted below.
Question 1 |
Why are your clothes ______ the floor? Please pick them up and put them away!
at | |
on | |
in |
Question 2 |
Many Brazilians drink coffee both ______ the morning and ______ night.
on / in | |
at / on | |
in / at |
Question 3 |
I'll start my new job ______ March 1st.
at | |
on | |
in |
Question 4 |
When you called me, I was ______ a taxi ______ Main Street.
in / on | |
in / in | |
on / at |
Question 5 |
My mother's birthday is ______ May.
on | |
in | |
at |
Question 6 |
"Where's my hairbrush?"
"It's ______ the bathroom."
in | |
at | |
on |
Question 7 |
We're going to a baseball game ______ Saturday. Do you want to come?
in | |
at | |
on |
Question 8 |
My sister's arriving ______ the earliest train tomorrow morning.
at | |
on | |
in |
Question 9 |
I like to go skiing ______ the winter.
in | |
at | |
on |
Question 10 |
My son is waiting for me to pick him up ______ the bus stop.
in | |
on | |
at |
Question 11 |
My cousin lives ______ Australia.
on | |
at | |
in |
Question 12 |
Does your class end ______ 7:30 or 8:00?
on | |
at | |
in |
Question 13 |
There's a meeting with the project team ______ June 23 ______ the afternoon.
in / at | |
on / in | |
on / on |
Question 14 |
"Are you working right now?"
"No, I'm ______ home."
at | |
on | |
in |
Question 15 |
I lost my wallet ______ a museum ______ Berlin.
in / at | |
at / at | |
in / in |
Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.
There are 15 questions to complete.
Clear up your doubts about confusing words… and use English more confidently!
