Prepositions (in, on, at)

In, on and at are prepositions of time

A preposition of time is a preposition that allows you to discuss a specific time period such as a date on the calendar, one of the days of the week, or the actual time something takes place. Prepositions of time are the same words as prepositions of place, however they are used in a different way.

In

Refers to longer periods of time (e.g. in July or in 2019).

On

Refers to periods of 24 hours (e.g. on Monday or on 1st November).

At

Refers to the exact time (e.g. at 3 pm or at 19:00).


There are also some common time expressions that use in, on, at. Below are a few business examples that you may know:

In +
  • the morning/afternoon/evening
On +
  • day + morning/afternoon/evening (e.g. on Monday morning)
  • the weekend (U.S. English)
At +
  • night
  • the moment
  • Easter/Christmas/Thanksgiving (i.e. holiday periods)
  • the weekend (U.K. English)

TIP: if you use the words last, this, next or every, then do not use in, on or at (e.g. Our previous conference was last July). This also applies to the words yesterday, today and tomorrow (e.g. I met him yesterday).


Now, read the email

Dear Project Team,

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for their input at the meeting yesterday. I think we made a lot of positive progress.

Unfortunately, we need to reschedule our next meeting. As you know, we were scheduled to meet __  15 November. However, due to a booking conflict, the meeting room is not available __ the afternoon at 15:00. I would therefore like to postpone the meeting by one week. Can we meet instead __ Tuesday 22 November? I would like to start __ 10:00.

Can you let me know whether or not this works for you? Please let me know by Friday.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Bob

Choose the correct answer

1. As you know, we were scheduled to meet …….. 15 November.

 
 
 

2. However, due to a booking conflict, the meeting room is not available …….. the afternoon at 15:00.

 
 
 

3. Can we meet instead …….. Tuesday 22 November?

 
 
 

4. I would like to start …….. 10:00

 
 
 

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