Language

Prepositions of time and place

Choose the preposition that fits a time or a position.

A preposition is the word that fixes a noun in time or in space. In, on and at do most of the work, and they follow a pattern worth learning once rather than guessing at every time.

Time: from the widest to the narrowest

In for the widest stretches — in April, in the autumn, in the afternoon. On for a named day — on Friday, on Saturday evening. At for a point on the clock — at four o'clock, at dawn, at noon.

For or since

For takes a length of time: for two hours, for six days. Since takes the moment something began: since Monday, since 2019.

Worked example

Choose the preposition: "The library closes ____ eight o'clock."

  1. Ask how wide the time is. A month? A day? A point on the clock?

    In, on and at line up neatly from widest to narrowest.

Try it together

Fill three gaps, from the widest stretch of time to the narrowest.

Each choice is settled by how much time the words after the gap cover.

    1."The match begins ____ Sunday." Write in, on or at.

    Have a go

    The school reopens ____ July.

    Ready to practice?

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

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