At / in / on (time)

A. Compare at, on and in:

* They arrived at 5 o'clock. * They arrived on Friday. * They arrived in October. / They arrived in 1968.

We use:

at for the time of day: at 5 o'clock, at 11.45, at midnight, at lunchtime, at sunset etc.

on for days and dates: on Friday/on Fridays, on 12 March 1991, on Christmas Day, on my birthday

in for longer periods (for example, months/years/seasons): in October, in 1968, in the 18th century, in the past, in (the) winter, in the 1970s, in the Middle Ages, in (the) future

B. We use at in these expressions: at night: I don't like going out at night.

at the weekend/at weekends: Will you be here at the weekend?

at Christmas / at Easter (but on Christmas Day): Do you give each other presents at Christmas?

at the moment/at present: Mr. Benn is busy at the moment/at present.

at the same time: Liz and I arrived at the same time.

Note that we usually ask 'What time ... ?' (not usually 'At what time...?):

* What time are you going out this evening?

C. We say: in the morning(s), in the afternoon(s), in the evening(s)

* I'll see you in the morning. * Do you work in the evenings?

but: on Friday morning(s), on Sunday afternoon(s), on Monday evening(s) etc.

* I'll be at home on Friday morning. * Do you usually go out on Saturday evenings?

D. We do not use at/on/in before last/next/this/every:

* I'll see you next Friday. (not 'on next Friday') * They got married last March.

E. In a few minutes/in six months etc. = a time in the future

* The train will be leaving in a few minutes. (= a few minutes from now)

* Jack has gone away. He'll be back in a week. (= a week from now)

* She'll be here in a moment. (= a moment from now)

You can also say 'in six months' time', 'in a week's time' etc.:

* They're getting married in six months' time. (or ... in six months.)

We also use in... to say how long it takes to do something:

* I learnt to drive in four weeks. (It took me four weeks to learn)

EXERCISES

1 Complete the sentences. Each time use at, on or in + one of the following: the evening / the moment Sundays / about 20 minutes / 21 July 1969 / the Middle Ages / 1492 / the 1920s / 11 seconds / Christmas the same time / night

1. Columbus made his first voyage from Europe to America _________________________.

2. In Britain most people do not work _________________________.

3. If the sky is clear, you can see the stars _________________________.

4. After working hard during the day, I like to relax _________________________.

5. The first man walked on the moon _________________________.

6. It's difficult to listen if everyone is speaking _________________________.

7. Jazz became popular in the United States _________________________.

8. I'm just going out to the shop. I'll be back _________________________.

9. (on the phone) 'Can I speak to Clare?' 'I'm afraid she's not here _________________________.'

10. In Britain people send each other cards _________________________.

11. Many of Europe's great cathedrals were built _________________________.

12. Bob is a very fast runner. He can run 100 metres _________________________.

2 Put in at, on or in where necessary. Leave an empty space (—) if no preposition is necessary.

1. a. I'll see you _______ Friday. b. I'll see you _______ next Friday.

2. a. What are you doing _______ Saturday? b. What are you doing _______ the weekend?

3. a. They often go out _______ the evenings. b. They often go out _______ Sunday evenings

4. a. Do you work _______ Wednesdays? b. Do you work _______ every Wednesday?

5. a. We usually have a holiday _______ the summer. b. We often have a short holiday ______ Christmas.

6. a. Pauline got married _______ 1991. b. Pauline got married _______ 18 May 1991.

c. Chris is getting married _______ this year.

3 Put in at, on or in.

1. Mozart was born in Salzburg _______ 1756.

2. I haven't seen Kate for a few days. I last saw her _______ Tuesday.

3. The price of electricity is going up _______ October.

4. I've been invited to a wedding _______ 14 February.

5. Hurry up! We've got to go _______ five minutes.

6. I'm busy just now but I'll be with you _______ a moment.

7. Jenny's brother is an engineer but he's out of work _______ the moment.

8. There are usually a lot of parties _______ New Year's Eve.

9. I hope the weather will be nice _______ the weekend.

10. _______ Saturday night I went to bed _______ 11 o'clock.

11. I don't like travelling _______ night.

12. We travelled overnight to Paris and arrived _______ 5 o'clock _______ the morning.

13. The course begins _______ 7 January and ends sometime _______ April.

14. It was quite a short book and easy to read. I read it _______ a day.

15. I might not be at home _______ Tuesday morning but I'll probably be there _______ the afternoon.

16. My car is being repaired at the garage. It will be ready _______ two hours.

17. The telephone and the doorbell rang _______ the same time.

18. Mary and Henry always go out for a meal _______ their wedding anniversary.

19. Henry is 63. He'll be retiring from his job _______ two years' time.