Free English Lesson: In, On, and At - Prepositions of Time & Place
Date
Jan 18, 2025
Author
Daily Native English
Prepositions like in, on, and at are small words with big importance in English. They help us describe relationships of time, place, or direction, but their correct usage often confuses learners. This guide will thoroughly explain how to use these prepositions with clear examples, common mistakes, and practical exercises. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using in, on, and at in everyday English.
What Are Prepositions?
Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence. They help us describe where, when, and how something happens. For example:
Place: “The phone is on the table.”
Time: “The meeting is at 9 a.m.”
Direction: “She’s going to the park.”
Among the most common prepositions are in, on, and at, which we’ll explore in detail below.
How to Use In Correctly
1. In for Place
We use in to describe enclosed spaces or areas:
Examples: “She’s in the room.” / “The keys are in the drawer.”
In is also used with geographical locations:
Examples: “I live in London.” / “They are in the park.”
2. In for Time
In is commonly used for longer periods, such as months, years, centuries, or parts of the day:
Examples: “We met in March.” / “It happened in 1995.” / “I’ll call you in the evening.”
3. In for Abstract Situations
In can also describe abstract states or conditions:
Examples: “She’s in trouble.” / “He’s in love.”
How to Master On
1. On for Place
Use on when referring to surfaces:
Examples: “The book is on the table.” / “There’s a fly on the wall.”
It’s also used for transportation, like buses, trains, and planes:
Examples: “I’m on the bus.” / “She’s on a plane.”
2. On for Time
Use on to talk about specific days or dates:
Examples: “The meeting is on Monday.” / “I was born on July 4th.”
3. On for Abstract Situations
On can also be used in certain expressions:
Examples: “She’s on the team.” / “It’s on sale.”
Getting At Right
1. At for Place
At is used for specific points or locations:
Examples: “She’s at the door.” / “We met at the park entrance.”
It’s also used with addresses:
Example: “I live at 123 Main Street.”
2. At for Time
Use at for specific times:
Examples: “The class starts at 9 a.m.” / “We’ll meet at midnight.”
3. At for Abstract Situations
At is often used in idiomatic expressions:
Examples: “She’s at work.” / “He’s at his best.”
Comparing In, On, and At
Here’s a quick comparison of their usage:
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistake: “He’s on the car.”
Correction: “He’s in the car.”
Mistake: “I’ll meet you in 9 a.m.”
Correction: “I’ll meet you at 9 a.m.”
Mistake: “The keys are on the drawer.”
Correction: “The keys are in the drawer.”
Pro Tip: Visualize the context! Think of in as enclosed, on as a surface, and at as a specific point.
Practice Exercises
Fill in the Blanks:
“The meeting is ___ Monday.” (on)
“She’s ___ the park.” (in)
“I’ll see you ___ 5 p.m.” (at)
Error Correction:
“I live on London.” → Correction: “I live in London.”
“The book is in the table.” → Correction: “The book is on the table.”
Prepositions in Expressions and Idioms
Here are some common expressions to learn:
In: “In time,” “In a hurry”
On: “On time,” “On purpose”
At: “At a loss,” “At the moment”
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions like in, on, and at takes practice, but understanding their rules will make your English much clearer. Practice daily by noticing these prepositions in conversations, books, and media. Keep a notebook to jot down new prepositional phrases. With consistent effort, you’ll master these prepositions and sound more natural in English.
