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Grammar Challenge

Nuala's Grammar Explanation: © British Broadcasting Corporation 2007

Time prepositions

Nuala: Hi! we heard three different prepositions; at, in and on. We use these
prepositions when we're talking about time but we use each one with different time
expressions. Listen again:

Finn: In the morning, at 3 o'clock.

Elena: In 2004.
Diarmuid: At midnight, on Christmas Day.
Carrie: In December.

We use 'at' for times of the day. At half past 7, at midnight, at sunset at breakfast time.

Finn: At 3 o'clock
Diarmuid: At midnight

We use 'on' for days and dates. On the 5th of June, on Tuesdays, on Saturday morning.

Diarmuid: On Christmas day.

We use 'in' for longer periods of time like months, years, seasons. In April, in 1987, in
the winter of '76.

Elena: In 2004
Carrie: In December

Finally, there are some time expressions that don't use any prepositions at all. Words like
'next', 'last', 'today', 'tomorrow' or 'yesterday'.

Diarmuid: Next Christmas we’re going on a cruise.

That's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!

Grammar Challenge © BBC Learning English

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 BBC Learning English
Grammar Challenge

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2007

More information

at half past 7
at midnight
At – for times of the day
at sunset
at breakfast time

on the 5th of June

on Tuesdays,
On - for days and dates on Saturday morning
on Christmas day

in April
in 1987
In - for longer periods of time
in the winter of 1976
in the 1930s

next
No preposition – for some time last
words tomorrow
yesterday

Grammar Challenge © BBC Learning English

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