AT, ON, IN

written by Bill Teach

- At what time? - Please, arrive on time. - Don't worry, I won't miss it. I'll be here in time for the concert.

Thank you Bianca for your suggestion.

As I mentioned on my previous post, prepositions must be studied within a context. Sometimes their use can be explained, but most of the times, we need to think of words that come before or sometimes after them.

We can use AT,ON, IN, before time and place expressions. In either case, translation should never be an option.   

Before time expressions:

At: before clock time (5:00 AM, midnight, noon)

• He came in at 2:00, and left 2 minutes later.
• The meeting will start at around 4:00.

On: before days (Tuesday, the 18th, September 19)

• I will meet her on Thursday.
• His birthday is on the 17^th.
• We are going to travel on Christmas Day.

In: before longer periods (1985, 20^th century, winter, September).

• In the 20^th century, people were introduced to new technologies.
• I saw him last in 1995. Actually, it was in December 1994.   

At, On, In before part of the day:

In: morning, afternoon, evening.

• I saw him in the morning.

At: night

• I work out at night for it is the only time I have.

Special cases:

On: specified period of the day

• I saw him on that afternoon.
• On that particular evening, John arrived early.

In: night – particular night

• I saw him in that cold night.

Events and special occasions: Before holidays or events, we use AT. However, if it refers to the day of the festivity, we should use ON. Compare:

• We met at the fundraising.
• He is training hard to compete at the next Olympics.
• He was at Ana’s birthday party.
• At the next event, they want to bring in a more experienced lecturer.
• She wants to go to Disney World on her birthday.
• We only gather at Christmas.
• I am going to take my mom out to a fancy dinner on Mother’s Day.

 Note the use of prepositions with some fixed expressions alters the meaning.

• The guy was lying or imagining things, in either event what he said was incoherent. (in either case)
• The house was old, but in any event it was the only place he could consider home. (in any case)  
• In the event of an emergency use the stairs. (in case of)
• I have arrived in time for the concert. (The concert has or hasn’t started and I was able to see it)
• I have arrived on time. (I wasn’t late at all)
• Things were easier back then. At that time we could pay our rent, buy our food and have fun within our means. (in those days)

My next post will be the use of AT, ON, IN before place. Should there be any comments or suggestions, please, feel free to do so.