P repositions of T ime)

S aying W hen E xamples: We bought the flat in 1994. The race is on Saturday. The film starts at seven thirty.

E xamples:

We bought the flat in 1994.

The race is on Saturday.

The film starts at seven thirty.

IN W e bought the flat in 1994. In + year/month/season in 1988, in September, in winter In + a week or more in the Easter holiday, in the summer term In + part of a day in the morning, in the evening, I woke up in the middle of the night. (= in the middle of the night)

W e bought the flat in 1994.

In + year/month/season

in 1988, in September, in winter

In + a week or more

in the Easter holiday, in the summer term

In + part of a day

in the morning, in the evening,

I woke up in the middle of the night.

(= in the middle of the night)

ON The race is on Saturday. On + day/date on Wednesday, on 15 April, on that day On + a single day on the Easter Monday, on Christmas Day On + day +part of a day on Friday morning, on Tuesday evening It happened on Monday night.

The race is on Saturday.

On + day/date

on Wednesday, on 15 April, on that day

On + a single day

on the Easter Monday, on Christmas Day

On + day +part of a day

on Friday morning, on Tuesday evening

It happened on Monday night.

AT The film starts at seven thirty. At + clock time/meal time at three o’clock, at lunch (-time), at that time At + two or three days at Easter/Christmas, at the weekend (US: on the weekend) I can’t sleep at night. (=when it is night)

The film starts at seven thirty.

At + clock time/meal time

at three o’clock, at lunch (-time), at that time

At + two or three days

at Easter/Christmas, at the weekend (US: on the weekend)

I can’t sleep at night.

(=when it is night)

N OTE W e do not use in, on or at before: every , last , next , this , tomorrow and yesterday . W e go to Greece every summer. I ’ll see you next Friday. T he party is tomorrow evening. I leave school this year. T he group set off yesterday morning .

W e do not use in, on or at before:

every , last , next , this , tomorrow and yesterday .

W e go to Greece every summer.

I ’ll see you next Friday.

T he party is tomorrow evening.

I leave school this year.

T he group set off yesterday morning .

I n time or O n time I n time In time means ‘early enough’ . W e’ll have to hurry if we want to be in time for the show. W e got to the airport in time to have a coffee before checking in. I was about to close the door when just in time I remembered my key. (at the last moment)

I n time

In time means ‘early enough’ .

W e’ll have to hurry if we want to be in time for the show.

W e got to the airport in time to have a coffee before checking in.

I was about to close the door when just in time I remembered my key. (at the last moment)

I n time or O n time O n time On time means ‘at the right time’ , ‘on schedule’ . T he plane took off on time . I hope the meeting starts on time . R achel is never on time . She is always late.

O n time

On time means ‘at the right time’ , ‘on schedule’ .

T he plane took off on time .

I hope the meeting starts on time .

R achel is never on time . She is always late.

O ther Uses of in W e can use in for the time it takes to complete something. I did the crossword puzzle in five minutes. C ould you walk thirty miles in a day? W e can also use in for a future time measured in the present. Y our photos will be ready in an hour. (= an hour from now) T he buidling will open in six weeks.

W e can use in for the time it takes to complete

something.

I did the crossword puzzle in five minutes.

C ould you walk thirty miles in a day?

W e can also use in for a future time measured in

the present.

Y our photos will be ready in an hour. (= an hour from now)

T he buidling will open in six weeks.

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