Introduction

A preposition in grammar is a little word that comes before a noun or a gerund. It is often used with time or place. In this lesson, we will explain how prepositions of time and place can be used in English language correctly.

After the lesson, you will find a few exercises on prepositions of time and place in order to practice and master them quickly.

So, let’s start!

English prepositions of time

These are three major prepositions: at, on, in

1. We use the preposition at with:

• Hours, for instance: at 6:00 p.m. –  at 7:00 a.m.  –  at 2:35 p.m.
• With specific time nouns: at noon, at night, at midday, at the weekend …

2. We use the preposition on with:

• Days of the week, and we say: on Monday, on Tuesday, on Thursday …

3. We use the preposition in with:

• Parts of the day, for example: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening
• Months of the year: in November, in January, in December …
• Years, for instance: in 2019, in 1998, in 2000 …
• Seasons: in Summer, in Winter, in Spring, in Autumn

English prepositions of place

The prepositions of place in English are numerous. You may find prepositions like: beside, behind, in front of, between, under, on, at, in, below, above

The most frequent prepositions of place in English are the following: at, on, in

Let’s see when we use them!

1. We use the preposition at with:

• Places like: restaurants, cafes, barbershop, groceries, hospitals etc..

at the café, at the restaurant, at the barbershop, at the groceries, at the hospital …

2. We use the preposition on with:

• Surfaces, for example: on the wall, on the table, on the desk, on the door …

3. We use the preposition in with:

• Inside places, like: in the classroom, in the room, in the schoolbag …

Preposition of Time and Place Exercises

Choose the right preposition to fill in the blanks below: in – on – at

1. We can meet ………… the afternoon ………… the café near our school.
2. ……….. December 18^th, Arabs celebrate the International Day of Arabic language.
3. There are some students and a teacher ……….. the classroom.
4. We will have a test in English tomorrow ………… 8:30 a.m.
5. Students mustn’t write anything ………….. the classroom walls.