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Prepositions of Time with Rules and Examples

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How to Use In, On, and At for Time in English

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Understanding the correct usage of Preposition Of Time is essential for mastering English grammar. These prepositions—like in, on, and at—help indicate specific points or periods. In this guide, we will explore their definitions, rules, and practical examples, making it easy for learners, including kids, to use them accurately in sentences.


Preposition Of Time Definition and Rules

Prepositions of time are words used to show when something happens. The most common prepositions—in, on, and at—help us express time relationships in sentences. Understanding the Preposition Of Time definition and rules makes communication clearer and more accurate for everyone.


Generally, at is used for precise moments, on for specific days and dates, and in for longer periods. Learning these preposition of time rules is helpful for kids and beginners to avoid common mistakes while speaking or writing about time.


Preposition Of Time Chart and Table


Preposition Time Reference Examples
At Exact times, holidays, festivals at 5:00 pm, at midnight, at Diwali
On Days, dates, parts of a day on Monday, on 15th August, on Saturday morning
In Months, years, seasons, longer periods in June, in 2023, in summer, in two weeks

This table shows a quick guide to using Prepositions Of Time in sentences. For more on grammar concepts, see the English grammar overview.


Preposition Of Time With Examples and Sentences

Let’s look at how to use these prepositions correctly. Below are Preposition Of Time examples in sentences you can practice with. These real-world illustrations help clarify any confusion between in, on, and at.


  1. At: She leaves for school at 7:30 am.

  2. On: The meeting is scheduled on Friday.

  3. In: We plant trees in spring.

  4. At: Kids usually go to bed at night.

  5. On: I was born on 25th December.

  6. In: The Olympics were held in 2021.


For more Preposition Of Time exercises for class 6 or kids, visit Vedantu's English worksheets for kids.


Preposition Of Time Worksheet with Answers

Practicing with a preposition of time worksheet is an effective way to improve. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition: in, on, or at.


  1. We go to the park ___ Sundays.

  2. She was born ___ 2010.

  3. I have lunch ___ 1 pm.

  4. The school reopens ___ June.

  5. We visit grandparents ___ Diwali.


Answers: 1. on 2. in 3. at 4. in 5. at


Engage with more preposition of time exercises for practice.


Preposition Of Time Exercises for Class 6

Learners in class 6 can strengthen their grammar by solving Preposition Of Time exercises. These help recognize where to use each preposition and avoid errors.


  1. My birthday is ___ October.

  2. We have a party ___ Saturday evening.

  3. He sleeps ___ night.

  4. She will call you ___ 9 o’clock.

  5. The trees bloom ___ spring.


Answers: 1. in, 2. on, 3. at, 4. at, 5. in. Check out more preposition activities for kids on Vedantu.


Preposition Of Time Common Mistakes and Tips

Avoid these frequent errors with Preposition Of Time:


  • Incorrect: She comes home in 5 pm. Correct: She comes home at 5 pm.
  • Incorrect: The meeting is at Monday. Correct: The meeting is on Monday.
  • Incorrect: We travel on August. Correct: We travel in August.

Remember: Use at for clock times, on for days/dates, in for months/seasons/years. For more grammar guidance, see Vedantu's grammar exercises.


Preposition Of Time Difference and Usage Notes

In, on, and at may seem similar, but their usage changes meaning. For example, “at night” (specific time), “on Sunday” (particular day), and “in March” (whole month). Practice helps master these differences. Pair learning this topic with Prepositions of Place for a deeper understanding.


Prepositions of Time for Kids

Teaching Preposition Of Time for kids can be fun. Use stories about their daily routines. For example, "We brush our teeth at 8 am, go to school on Monday, and play in summer." Interactive games also help. Try fun activities on Vedantu for younger students.


Preposition Of Time Practice Questions with Answers

Challenge yourself with these questions. Choose the right preposition:


  1. Classes begin ___ September.

  2. He wakes up ___ sunrise.

  3. India celebrates Independence Day ___ August 15th.

  4. My brother arrived ___ 10 pm.


Answers: 1. in, 2. at, 3. on, 4. at


To further strengthen your grammar, explore Parts of Speech Exercises.


Preposition Of Time MCQ with Answers

Choose the correct option for each sentence:


  1. We will meet ___ Monday. (a) at (b) in (c) on

  2. It snows ___ winter. (a) on (b) in (c) at

  3. She called me ___ night. (a) in (b) at (c) on


Answers: 1. on, 2. in, 3. at


Mastering Preposition Of Time helps students communicate clearly in English. By learning definitions, rules, and practicing with worksheets and exercises, learners quickly improve their understanding. Using resources like Vedantu’s interactive activities, kids and beginners build strong grammar skills for reading, writing, and speaking every day.

FAQs on Prepositions of Time with Rules and Examples

1. What is a preposition of time in English?

Prepositions of time are words that show when something happens in relation to time. These prepositions help answer questions like “when?” or “how long?” in a sentence.

Examples:

  • in (in 2024)
  • on (on Monday)
  • at (at 5 pm)
  • before, after, since, for
Using them correctly makes your sentences clear and your answers more accurate for exams and everyday speech.

2. What are 20 prepositions of time?

20 common prepositions of time used in English grammar are:

  • in
  • on
  • at
  • by
  • before
  • after
  • during
  • since
  • for
  • from
  • till
  • until
  • past
  • to
  • within
  • throughout
  • between
  • around
  • over
  • about
Each of these helps to indicate different points or durations in time for clear communication.

3. When do we use 'in', 'on' and 'at' for time?

Use 'in', 'on' and 'at' based on the type of time reference in your sentence:

  • In – for months, years, and longer periods (e.g., in March, in 2024, in the morning)
  • On – for days, dates, and special occasions (e.g., on Monday, on 15th August, on Diwali)
  • At – for precise times and festival periods (e.g., at 7 pm, at night, at Christmas)
Remember this rule to avoid common exam mistakes.

4. Can a preposition show both time and place?

Yes, some prepositions can express both time and place depending on the context.

  • In: in the morning (time), in the park (place)
  • On: on Tuesday (time), on the table (place)
  • At: at 5 pm (time), at school (place)
This shows the flexibility of certain prepositions in English grammar.

5. What is the difference between 'since' and 'for'?

'Since' and 'for' are both used to describe time, but they have different uses:

  • Since is used for the starting point of an action (e.g., since 2020).
  • For is used to mention the duration or length of time (e.g., for two years).
Correct use of these prepositions is important for clear, accurate sentences in exams and daily communication.

6. What are some examples of prepositions of time in sentences?

Here are common prepositions of time used in sentences:

  • I woke up at 7 o’clock.
  • We celebrate Independence Day on 15th August.
  • The school reopens in July.
  • He has lived here since 2018.
  • The course lasts for six months.
  • She finished her homework before dinner.
  • The show runs from 6 to 8 pm.
  • The flowers bloom during spring.
These examples help you understand usage for exams and writing.

7. What common errors do students make with prepositions of time?

Common errors with prepositions of time often occur due to confusion between similar words. Examples:

  • Incorrect: I will meet you in Monday.
    Correct: I will meet you on Monday.
  • Incorrect: The bus arrives at March.
    Correct: The bus arrives in March.
  • Incorrect: He has lived here since five years.
    Correct: He has lived here for five years.
Tip: Use 'since' for point of time, 'for' for duration; check usage before writing exam answers.

8. How do prepositions of time help in sentence clarity?

Prepositions of time make sentences more clear and precise by stating exactly when an action happens.

  • They help avoid confusion in both spoken and written English.
  • They allow readers and listeners to understand time relationships easily.
  • Correct use increases marks in grammar and writing sections of exams.
Mastering them is essential for effective communication.

9. What is a preposition of time worksheet, and how can it help?

Preposition of time worksheets are practice exercises designed to help students test and improve their understanding.

  • They provide sentences with blanks for students to fill in the correct prepositions, like 'in,' 'on,' or 'at.'
  • Patterns, MCQs, and fill-in-the-blanks are common types.
  • Practicing with worksheets boosts grammar accuracy and confidence before exams.
Answer keys are useful for instant feedback and learning.

10. Are prepositions of time and place the same?

Some prepositions are used for both time and place, but their meanings change with context.

  • At: at 3 pm (time), at the station (place)
  • In: in June (time), in the box (place)
  • On: on Monday (time), on the floor (place)
It’s important to check sentence context when choosing the right preposition.

11. How can I master prepositions of time for board exams?

To master prepositions of time for exams:

  • Memorise rules for 'in', 'on', and 'at.'
  • Practice with worksheets and sample questions.
  • Review examples and correct usage in context.
  • Clear doubts about words like 'since' and 'for.'
Consistent practice and revision help achieve higher marks in grammar sections.