In, on and at prepositions of time. Now these really aren't too difficult because
we actually do have some rules for in on and at. Would you like me to explain?
They might seem like a headache but there are actually some rules to help you use them.
'At' At is actually for more precise moments of time for example; at the
weekend, at one o'clock, at 3:30, at midday, at bedtime, at dinnertime ,at sunrise.
All of these are specific points in time. You're being precise. We've also got
specific phrases like; at the moment.Now, IN is actually unspecified, so with IN we
would often use; in 1991, years. IN the 20s, the 30s, the 40s, decades. IN
the 21st century, centuries! Then you've got months in June July August September
October November December January February March April
You've got seasons as well we would say in the summer in the winter in the
autumn or in fall if you're American and in the spring! We've also got really
long periods of time like in the Ice Age. IN, we could also use within the morning
in the afternoon in the evening however we would say AT night, that is an
exception. ON, we use to refer to specific dates and days so for example on the
20th of October. That's actually my birthday! On Sunday, on Monday, on Tuesday
on Wednesday, on Thursday, on Friday, on Saturday but AT the weekend!
Now, we would say on Christmas Day on Easter day but if we don't have a day we
would actually say at Christmas at Easter or on New Year's Eve, Eve meaning
the evening. So let's look at some examples; I've got a meeting today at 9
o'clock. I've got a meeting on Monday. I'm in a meeting at the moment. The shops
close at midday, the shops close on Sunday. What are you going to do in the
future? What are you doing at the weekend? Are you free on Monday? So, it's starting
to make sense by now I think? Now pay attention when we say dates in English
we don't usually write the full date we would often omit or leave out OF and THE
for example Christmas Day is ON THE 25th OF December. Christmas Day is on the 25th
of December. My birthday is on the 20th of October. Not very long now! Now, one
error that you guys often make is with next we don't need that, I'll see you
next week not the next week. Okay thank you so much for watching. I hope that
short lesson has helped you understand the difference a little bit between IN
ON and AT. AT for specific times and fixed expressions. IN for periods of time
so non-specific and ON for specific days and dates. Why don't you tell me, down in
the box below on YouTub, when your birthday is?
and I hope to see you in the future for more lessons with love English. Don't
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