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?
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Question 5 |
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Question 7 |
"No, I'm ______ home."
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Question 14 |
"It's ______ the bathroom."
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Question 15 |
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