Line英会話クラス
Lesson Plan August 25, 2023
Topic: At, In & On (Time Expressions)
In this lesson we will cover the different uses of the prepositions of time at, in and on.
Section A: AT
We use “at” to say the time of the day.
at two o’clock
at midday
at 4pm
at lunchtime
“At” is also used in the following special expressions
at night
at Christmas / Easter (i.e. special holidays which are longer than 1 day)
at the same time
at the moment
at present
Section B: ON
We use “on” for days and dates
on Monday
on the sixth of January
on Christmas Day (NOT at Christmas Day)
on my birthday
We can also use “on + day + part of day”
on Monday morning
on Tuesday evening
on Thursday afternoon
Section C: IN
We use “in” for part of the day
in the morning
in the afternoon
We also use “in” for months and seasons
in March
in August
in December
in the summer
in winter
in spring
And we also use “in” for years and longer periods
in 2002
in 1969
in 500 BCE (= before the common era)
in the 1990s
in the mid 20th century
in the Ice Age
in the past
Section D: Special Expressions
ON TIME = punctual, not late. If something happens on time, it happens at the time that was planned.
The opposite of “on time” is “late”
The 11:45 train left on time. (= it left at 11:45)
My son’s sport’s day was well-organized. Everything began and finished on time.
IN TIME = soon enough, can be used “for something” and “to do something”.
The opposite of “in time” is "too late”
Will you be home in time for dinner?
I’ve sent my granddaughter a birthday gift. I hope it arrives in time (for her birthday)
AT THE END (of something) = at the time when something ends.
The opposite of “at the end (of …)” is “at the beginning (of …)”.
We do not say “in the end of”
I’m going away at the end of January.
At the end of the concert, every applauded.
The players shook hands at the end of the game.
IN THE END = finally.
The opposite of “in the end” is “at first”.
We had a lot of problems with our older car. we sold it in the end. (= finally we sold it)
He got more and more angry. In the end he just walked out of the room and slammed the door.
Lesson Notes
We use “at” for specific points in time, and we use “in” for longer times
at the end of the day
at 3pm
at night; we tend to think of “night” as a point, rather than a duration
in the morning
in the evening
in the middle of the night; the period of time when people typically sleep
“In the middle of (something)
The phone rang in the middle of my conversation.
In the middle of the movie the power went out.
There’s a car stopped in the middle of the road.
I can’ help you right now, I’m in the middle of baking cookies.
We can’t go out in the middle of the storm, it’s too dangerous.
We do not use “at”, “in” or “on” before
This … (this morning / this week etc)
Are you going out this evening?
Next … (next Monday / next weekend etc)
I’m leaving next Tuesday, let’s have dinner before then.
Last … (last August / last week etc)
Every … (every day / every week etc)
We go on holiday every summer. Last summer we went to Canada
In spoken English we often leave out on before days (Sunday / Monday etc)
I’ll see you on Friday.
I’ll see you Friday.
Will we see you on Tuesday?
Will we see you Tuesday?
I went out on Sunday evening.
I went out Sunday evening.
