- AGH!
How can you learn prepositions when they're so confusing
and English is ridiculous?
Well, don't worry!
I'm a professional.
(gentle music)
Prepositions with time is much easier
because there is logic to it.
You just have to put the times into categories.
Yes, there are exceptions, but don't worry!
By the end of this video,
you're going to understand everything.
You're going to be amazing!
And by the way, did I tell you?
You look great today.
Okay, let's take a month like January.
In January, on January, or at January?
What do you think?
We'll move it over here because it's "in" January.
In fact, for all months, you say "in."
In January, in February, in March, blah-blah-blah-blah-blah.
Okay, next one.
The third of January.
What do you think?
In the third of January, on the third of January,
or at the third of January?
We'll put it here- "on" the third of January.
It's one specific day.
It's a special day because it's my birthday.
So I expect "a happy birthday" message
from all of you on the third of January.
Okay, next one.
Now we have an exact time, 8:00 p.m.
With exact times, 8:00 p.m. in a day
3:00 a.m., whatever!
At!
At specific time of day.
Next.
Now we have a season- summer.
What do you think?
In summer, on summer, at summer?
We'll move it here- "in" summer.
Now you can start to see a pattern
because the preposition "in",
we use for long periods of time.
Months, like January.
Seasons, like summer- winter-
spring- autumn,
or as they say in American English, fall.
I don't know why they say fall.
Is it because of the lea-
AHHH! It's because the leaves fall off the tree!
I'm so stupid.
My birthday.
Again, it's just one day.
Just one specific day,
so of course, "on."
On my birthday.
For example, "Oh, last week it was your birthday!
What did you do on your birthday?"
So if "in" is for long periods of time,
"on" is for specific days.
New Years is a special time.
It's a national holiday.
You've got New Year's Eve.
You've got New year's Day.
It's one package of special
times.
And when you have that national special time of year,
we use the preposition "at."
At New Year.
For example, "Where are you going to be at New Year?"
The same with at Christmas, at Thanksgiving, at Easter
and all those other special times of year.
But, but, but, but!
If you're talking about one specific day
in that time of year,
like New Year's Eve
or New Year's Day,
that one specific day, you would say "on."
On New Year's Eve, on New Year's Day.
On Christmas Eve, on Christmas Day, for example.
How about this one?
Ahhh, 2020- a great year!
Year is a long time, of course.
We'll move that to "in."
In 2020.
Do you have any plans for 2020?
For me,
in 2020,
I want to go to Brazil.
This one's easy.
Saturday.
It's just one day.
Which preposition?
"On."
On Saturday.
What are you going to do on Saturday?
And finally,
the 1990s.
Now, usually, we contract decades
to the 90s.
The 80s, for example.
So decade- a long time.
What do you think?
Of course, "in."
And of course, for centuries as well.
That's a very long time.
In the 1800s.
In the 1900S.
So keep all of those rules, the preposition rules,
in mind.
"In" for long times.
"On" for specific days.
"At" for exact times
and those national holidays.
Okay, let's get rid of these.
And let's talk about the exceptions.
Because, yes, I know!
English is ridiculous.
Some expressions use different prepositions for
what seems like no reason.
So, with "in"- we'll start with "in."
The expressions with "in" are "in the morning,"
"in the afternoon," "in the evening."
Night is different, though.
We say "at night." "At night."
Also, when we talk about the future or past,
"in the future, in the past."
A very common mistake I hear is this.
"Yeah, sure let's meet today.
I can meet you two hours later.
When you want to say from now to the future.
Two hours.
It's not two hours later. No.
From now, it's "in two hours."
I can meet you in two hours.
The next one, kinda weird.
The weekend.
A great band, yes.
But with British English and American English,
there's a difference.
British English we say "at the weekend."
American English, they say "on the weekend."
Why? I don't know.
I don't know!
I'm sorry.
And finally with "at" when you want to say right now.
"At the moment" or when you're talking about again,
about a specific time but a different time, you could say,
"Well, I mean, at the time that I tried to buy it,
I didn't realize he was secretly a police officer."
Okay, quick test time!
Which preposition is missing from these sentences?
Are you ready?
Just say the answer.
Noone's going to hear you, I promise.
Number one: I'm going to Brazil (pause) March.
"In!" I'm going to Brazil in March.
Two: Let's meet (pause) the third of January.
"On!" Let's meet on the third of January.
Three: (phone vibrates and rings) Oh, one second.
Hello? Yeah, no. I'm kind of busy right now.
Can you call me tomorrow?
(pause) Um, the morning?
Of course, "In!" In the morning.
Four: I know you're busy now,
but will you be free (pause) two hours?
"In!" Remember, from now to the future- in.
Will you be free in two hours.
(lips popping five times)
Five: (fake yawn) I went to bed (pause) 3:00 a.m.
last night!
"At." Specific time!
"At." I went to bed at 3:00 a.m. last night.
Number Six: I'm going to be in London (pause) Christmas,
but I'll be in Australia (pause) New Year's Eve.
Be careful.
I'm going to be in London at Christmas.
Remember, we're talking about that time.
That package of special time.
At Christmas.
But I'll be in Australia
on New Year's Eve.
Remember, New Year's Eve, it's that one day
in a special time.
But,
also,
you can use "for"
for both of those.
I'll be in London for Christmas,
but I'll be in Australia for New Year's Eve.
That's okay, too.
I know, I know! I'm sorry.
(singing in unison) SEVEN!
Ugh, I have to wake up (pause) 5:00 a.m. tomorrow.
At. It's an exact time, remember.
I have to wake up at 5:00 a.m.
And finally, number eight:
Welcome to the museum of the internet.
This is a YouTuber.
Youtuber's were popular 21st century,
but then they all died because they became irrelevant.
Of course the preposition is "in"
becauase century is a long time.
Practice these prepositions in the comments
with these questions.
When is your birthday?
Which month is your best friend's birthday in?
If you could live in any decade, past or future,
which decade, or century would you like to live in?
What time of year should I visit your country?
What time of year is best?
What time are you going to wake up tomorrow, and why?
And finally, when are you coming to London?
Remember, in your answer, it's a time from now
to the future.
So not, for example, not
I'll come two years later.
No, "I'll come in two years," for example.
So let me know all of that in the comments
or in your Instagram stories.
Tag me @PapaTeachMe and I'll repost the best ones.
And I'll see you in the next class.
(soft music)