Word Classes

In, on and at for time

Choose in, on or at to say when something happens.

Three little words carry almost all of English time: in, on and at. Which one you need depends on how big the stretch of time is.

in — the long stretches

Months, years and parts of the day. In May, in 2020, in the morning, in the evening.

on — days and dates

One named day, or a date. On Monday, on my birthday, on the first day of school.

at — points on the clock

Clock times and the moments that behave like them. At six o'clock, at half past two, at noon, at midnight, at night.

A named day beats everything

In the morning becomes on Monday morning as soon as a day is named. The day decides the word.

Worked example

Choose the word: "The concert is ____ Saturday evening."

  1. Look for a named day. Saturday is one.

    As soon as a day is named, it decides the word — the rest of the phrase does not.

Try it together

Let us fill three gaps, one for each word.

Each answer is one small word: in, on or at. Read the time phrase after the gap before you choose.

    1.The gap is followed by a clock time. Write the word: The gates close ____ five o'clock.

    Have a go

    The library shuts ____ eight o'clock every evening.

    Ready to practise?

    Eight questions on what you have just read. Nothing is timed, and you can play as many times as you like.

    Print a worksheet