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Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time like at, on, and in help us express when events happen, making our language clearer and more precise.
Prepositions of Time Rule
Prepositions of time tell us when something happens, like at, on, and in, which show the timing of events.
- We use at for exact times, like at 7 o'clock.
- We use on for days and dates, like on Monday or on my birthday.
- We use in for periods of time, like in the morning or in 2022.
Using Prepositions of Time
- We use prepositions of time to specify when an event occurs, making our messages clearer.
- They help to avoid confusion between similar events happening at different times.
- Using the right preposition of time makes our language more precise and effective.
Examples of Prepositions of Time
- at 5 o'clock the party will start
- on my last birthday I got a cake
- in the summer we usually go to the beach
- at the beginning of the year we have resolutions
- on weekends I like to sleep in
- in the evening we have dinner together
Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time
- Wrong: I will meet you in 5 o'clock. Correct: I will meet you at 5 o'clock.
- Wrong: My birthday is at Monday. Correct: My birthday is on Monday.
- Wrong: We have a meeting on 2022. Correct: We had a meeting
Memory Tip for Prepositions of Time
A helpful tip is to remember that at is for points in time (like a specific hour), on is for days and dates (like a specific day of the week or a birthday), and
Where this matters in your exam
Prepositions of time are necessary for IELTS tasks that involve time expressions, such as writing essays or understanding schedules in listening conversations. It is assessed in the writing and listening sections.
- IELTS Writing Task 2
Prepositions of time are essential to express timing in essays.
- IELTS Listening Section 1
Understanding prepositions of time helps to follow schedules and appointments discussed in conversations.