Rules for Using "In" and "On" for Time and Place with Examples
Understanding when to use prepositions in and on is vital for clear English writing and speaking, especially for students in Classes 6-12. This page covers the rules for when to use prepositions in and on, helps you spot the difference, and provides examples for time and place. Practical tips and sample sentences make mastering these grammar basics easier.
When to Use the Prepositions "In" and "On" in English
When To Use Prepositions In And On: Rules and Easy Examples
Key rule: Use in for periods or spaces (months, years, countries) and on for specific days, dates, and surfaces. Some exceptions apply, but this guide helps most students stay accurate.
Step 1: Identify if you are talking about time or a location.
Step 2: For general periods (months, years, big areas), use in.
Step 3: For exact days, dates, or flat surfaces, use on.
Quick Checklist
- Use in with months, years, and cities (e.g., in March, in 2025, in Mumbai).
- Use on with days, dates, and surfaces (e.g., on Monday, on 5th July, on the wall).
- In shows being inside something, while on shows being on a surface.
- Never say "in Monday" or "on 2025"; always match the time/place type.
- Remember: in is for big time/place, on for specifics.
See related grammar notes
Outline: What You Will Learn
- Meaning and difference between in and on
- Rules for time and place
- Quick tips and memory tricks
- Example sentences in real-life context
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Worksheet, quiz and PDF for practice
When to Use Prepositions In and On
Use "in" for longer periods (months, years, cities, countries) and "on" for specific days, dates, and surfaces.
- In: in 2025, in London
- On: on Monday, on the table
Rules for Using In and On (Time & Place)
| Use | In | On |
|---|---|---|
| Time (examples) | In March, in 2015, in winter, in the evening | On Monday, on 2nd May, on New Year’s Day |
| Place (examples) | In the city, in the bag, in India | On the desk, on the bus, on Main Street |
| Quick Trick | "In" gives a larger container or period. "On" is for a surface or exact date/day. | |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Wrong: I will see you in Monday. Correct: I will see you on Monday.
- Wrong: She lives on Delhi. Correct: She lives in Delhi.
- Wrong: The keys are in the table. Correct: The keys are on the table.
Memorable Tips & Fast Facts
Oxford English Grammar: “Prepositions ‘in’ and ‘on’ signal different kinds of time and space relationships.”
Teacher Hint: “If it’s flat, use ‘on’. If it’s big or inside, use ‘in’.”
Stat: Over 70% of English exam errors on prepositions come from in/on confusion (CBSE 2025 Review).
Mnemonic: “In for inside, on for surface!”
Cambridge Tip: “Say ‘on the bus’, not ‘in the bus’ – English uses ‘on’ for public transport.”
Example Sentences for In and On
| Sentence | Preposition Used |
|---|---|
| I was born in July. | In (month) |
| He left his bag on the chair. | On (surface) |
| She works in a school in Mumbai. | In (enclosed place, city) |
| We will meet on Saturday. | On (day) |
| My name is on the list. | On (document surface) |
Sample 150/250/500-Word Essay & Speech Blocks
150-word Sample Speech: When to Use Prepositions In and On
Good morning. Today, I will explain when to use the prepositions in and on. Many students confuse these words, but the rule is simple. Use “in” to talk about months, years, and big places like cities or countries. Use “on” for specific days, dates, and surfaces. For example, say “I was born in March” or “My keys are on the table”. Always remember: in for bigger things or inside spaces, on for surfaces or exact times. Thank you.
250-word Essay: Correct Use of In and On Prepositions
Prepositions are small words with big importance in English. The correct usage of “in” and “on” helps students build clear and accurate sentences. “In” is used for large time periods like months and years. We say, “in April” or “in 2025.” For places, “in” is used when someone or something is inside a location, such as “in Mumbai” or “in the classroom.”
On the other hand, “on” is used for specific points of time like days and dates: “on Monday,” “on 15th August.” For places, “on” means above the surface, such as “on the floor” or “on the wall.” A common mistake is saying “in Monday” or “on 2025,” which are both incorrect. A good trick is to ask yourself if you mean a big area or time (use “in”) or a specific day or surface (use “on”). Practice with quizzes and worksheets, such as those by Vedantu, can help students strengthen these rules. Understanding these prepositions improves writing and speaking skills for exams and daily life.
500-word Essay: When to Use In and On - With Rules, Examples, and Common Errors
Understanding when to use prepositions in and on is a skill every English learner must develop. These two prepositions are often confusing, but learning the rules makes writing and speaking in English much easier.
When to use "in":
Use “in” for periods of time like months, years, seasons, and centuries. For example: “in May,” “in 2025,” or “in winter.” For places, “in” describes being inside spaces, whether big or small: “in the box,” “in the classroom,” or “in India.”
When to use "on":
Use “on” for specific days and dates: “on Sunday,” “on 1st January.” When talking about places, “on” is for surfaces: “on the table,” “on the floor,” or “on Main Street.” It’s also used for public transport: “on the bus,” “on the train.”
Students often make errors like “in Monday” or “on July.” The easy way to remember: if it’s a broad period or area, use “in.” If it’s a surface, exact date, or day, use “on.”
Examples: “Her birthday is in March but the party is on Friday.” “The cat sat on the wall. The boy is in the garden.”
A helpful tip is to draw two columns: one for 'in' and one for 'on.' Fill in real examples from worksheets or Vedantu exercises. Quizzes and regular practice can help you avoid common mistakes.
Mastering the difference between in and on is essential for exams and for effective everyday communication. A strong foundation in correct preposition use opens up better scores and more confidence in both writing and speaking English.
Apply & Practice
- Try Vedantu’s prepositions of place practice page for more surface vs. area questions.
- Check your skills with this in/on/at prepositions worksheet designed for Class 6-12 level.
- For more beginner grammar, see the introduction to prepositions page.
- To learn about under and other related terms, visit this page as well.
This page explained when to use prepositions in and on, with rules, tables, and memorable tricks. Mastering these prepositions lets you write accurate sentences for essays, speeches, and everyday English. Regular practice with examples and worksheets will improve your grammar for school and beyond. Keep referring to Vedantu for friendly, expert support as you grow your language skills!
FAQs on When to Use "In" and "On" as Prepositions in English
1. What is the rule for using "in" and "on" as prepositions of time?
"In" is used for longer periods, while "on" is used for specific days or dates.
- In: months, years, centuries, seasons (e.g., in 2025, in July, in winter)
- On: specific days, dates (e.g., on Monday, on 5th April)
2. When should I use "in" or "on" for places?
"In" is used for enclosed spaces or large areas; "on" is used for surfaces or specific locations.
- In: countries, cities, rooms, buildings (e.g., in India, in the kitchen)
- On: surfaces, streets, floors (e.g., on the table, on Main Street)
3. Is it "on Friday" or "in Friday"?
"On Friday" is correct because we use "on" for days of the week.
- Use on before days: on Friday, on Tuesday
- In is NOT used before specific days
4. Can "in" and "on" ever be used interchangeably?
No, "in" and "on" usually cannot be interchanged because they show different time periods or locations.
- "In" = longer periods, enclosed spaces
- "On" = specific dates/days, surfaces
5. What are examples of sentences using both "in" and "on"?
Here are sentences showing both prepositions in context:
- I will travel in December on Monday.
- The book is on the table in the living room.
6. What is the difference between "in" and "on" for time?
"In" refers to broad time periods, while "on" points to specific days or dates.
- In: in 2025, in September
- On: on 15th March, on Sunday
7. What are examples of "in" and "on" in sentences?
Sample sentences for each preposition:
- In: She lives in Mumbai. He was born in 2012.
- On: The keys are on my desk. The party is on Saturday.
8. Are there worksheets or exercises for practicing in and on?
Yes, many English grammar worksheets and quizzes help students practice "in" and "on" prepositions.
- Fill-in-the-blank exercises
- Sentence correction tasks
- Printable PDFs for school revision
9. What is a simple trick for remembering when to use "in" or "on"?
Use this tip: "In" is for larger containers or periods, "on" is for surfaces or dates.
- In: inside something or a period (in the box, in June)
- On: contact with a surface or a date (on the wall, on Monday)
10. How do prepositions "in," "on," and "at" differ?
"In," "on," and "at" are prepositions used for time and place but have different uses.
- In: larger periods/places (in 2025, in Delhi)
- On: days/dates/surfaces (on Monday, on the bus)
- At: precise time/points (at 5 PM, at the bus stop)
