In this lesson, you will…

1 Understand common prepositions of time.

2 Use prepositions of time in sentences.

3 Practise with a variety of activities.

What are prepositions of time?

Prepositions of time help us talk about

when things happen

Common prepositions of time include:

in on
at
 in
‘in’ is used for months, years and
periods of time, and parts of a day.

Periods of time and

Months Years Seasons
parts of a day

in August in 1993 in summer in the 90s

in September in 2006 in winter in the past
in October in 2023 in spring in the morning

Can you think

of more
examples?
in
Let’s look at some examples

His birthday is in August.

She was born in 1993.

We love going to the beach in summer.

I have a cup of tea in the morning to start my day.

 on
‘on’ is used for days of the week, specific dates, and
special days / holidays that end on ‘Day’

Days of the week Specific dates Special holidays (… Day)

on Monday on September 1st on St Patrick’s Day

on Friday on the 26th of August on Valentine’s Day
on Sunday on January 5th on Independence Day

Can you think

of more
examples?
on Let’s look at some examples

I wrote my exam on Monday.

My friend’s birthday is on the 26th of August

/ August 26th.

I’m travelling on Valentine’s Day.

 at
‘at’ is used for specific times, meal times, the
weekend, and times of the day

Times of day Meal time The weekend and night

at 9 o’clock at lunchtime at the weekend

at twelve at dinner at night
at 6 p.m. at breakfast at noon

Can you think

of more
examples?
at
Let’s look at some examples

I got to school at 9 o’clock.

She’s meeting her brother at lunch time.

I don’t like to go for a walk at night.

Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

I visited my cousins in September.

in on at
Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

I will see you on Sunday.

in on at
Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

We usually start class at 9 o’clock

in on at
Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

My birthday is on the 26th of August.

in on at
Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

She doesn’t like waking up early

in the morning.

in on at
Quick practice

Choose the correct preposition.

The movie finishes at 6 p.m.

in on at
Match each phrase with
the correct preposition.

in on at
the morning Christmas Day the weekend
winter February 3rd 5 o’clock
the future Saturday breakfast
June Wednesdays night

Christmas Day night the morning the future

5 o’clock winter breakfast Saturday

February 3rd Wednesdays the weekend June

Spin the wheel!

Make sentences using these prepositions.

in
at o n

Next Slide
Correct the mistakes

I moved to England on
in 2012.

The
The meeting
meeting is
is on
at Monday.
Monday.

We all have to get up at

in 8 o’clock.

They always play football on

in the afternoon.

Let’s meet at the library on

at 1 p.m.
Correct the mistakes

Pam’s birthday is in
at December.

We
We have
have aa test
test on
in the
the 5th
5th of
of October.
October.

Disco and funk music were popular in

at the 70s.

My sister reads me a book on

at bedtime.

I’m
I’m playing
playing aa basketball
basketball game
game on
at September
September 1st.
1st.