Prepositions Of Time Quiz 1

Understanding Prepositions of Time: At, In, On

Prepositions of time can be tricky to master, even for advanced English learners. These small words—at, in, and on—play a crucial role in expressing when something happens. Let’s explore the rules for using these prepositions correctly before testing your knowledge with our quiz.

When to Use “At”

Use “at” for specific times:
– At 3 o’clock
– At noon
– At midnight
– At breakfast/lunch/dinner
– At night
– At the weekend (British English)
– At Christmas/Easter (when not followed by “Day”)

When to Use “In”

Use “in” for longer periods:
– In the morning/afternoon/evening
– In January, February (months)
– In 2023 (years)
– In the summer/winter (seasons)
– In the 21st century
– In the 1990s
– In the past/future

When to Use “On”

Use “on” for specific days and dates:
– On Monday
– On July 4th
– On my birthday
– On Christmas Day
– On New Year’s Eve
– On the weekend (American English)
– On a winter morning

Common Exceptions and Special Cases

While the rules above cover most situations, English has several exceptions:

– We say “in the night” when referring to something happening during nighttime, but “at night” when speaking generally
– No preposition is needed with “next,” “last,” “this,” “every,” “all,” “some,” or “each” (e.g., I’ll see you next Monday)
– “During” is often used instead of “in” for events (e.g., during the meeting)
– With “morning,” “afternoon,” and “evening,” we use “in the” but with “night” we typically use “at”

Time Prepositions Exercise 1

Now let’s practice with a quiz. Choose the correct preposition (in, on, at) for each sentence. If no preposition is needed, select “-“.

Answers and Explanations

1. at – We use “at” for specific times
2. in – We use “in” for months
3. at – We use “at” when speaking generally about night
4. on – We use “on” for days of the week (with or without parts of the day)
5. at – We use “at” for specific times like midnight
6. – – No preposition needed with “last”
7. on – We use “on” for specific dates
8. in – We use “in” for parts of the day
9. in – We use “in” for seasons
10. on – We use “on” for days of the week

Put in the Correct Preposition

Here’s another exercise to test your understanding. Fill in each blank with the appropriate preposition of time (in, on, at) or leave it blank if no preposition is needed.

Common Mistakes with Time Prepositions

Even experienced English learners sometimes struggle with prepositions of time. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Confusion Between “At Night” and “In The Night”

– “At night” refers to the night period generally: “I like to read at night.”
– “In the night” refers to a specific time during the night: “I woke up in the night because of the thunder.”

Using “On” with Months

Incorrect: “The conference is on May.”
Correct: “The conference is in May.”

Using “In” with Specific Dates

Incorrect: “My birthday is in June 15th.”
Correct: “My birthday is on June 15th.”

Adding Prepositions with “Next,” “Last,” “This,” etc.

Incorrect: “I’ll call you on next Monday.”
Correct: “I’ll call you next Monday.”

Practice with Challenging Cases

Test your knowledge with these trickier examples:

Final Challenge Quiz

Now that you’ve learned the rules and practiced with examples, try this final challenge quiz. Choose the correct preposition for each sentence:

1. The train arrives _____ 3:45 pm. (at)
2. I was born _____ 1989. (in)
3. We always have a family dinner _____ Sundays. (on)
4. The weather is usually warm _____ April. (in)
5. I don’t like driving _____ rush hour. (during/at)
6. They got married _____ a beautiful spring day. (on)
7. The store is closed _____ Thanksgiving. (on)
8. We’re going on vacation _____ two weeks. (in)
9. She always calls her mother _____ the weekend. (on/at)
10. The concert starts _____ 8 o’clock sharp. (at)

Tips for Mastering Prepositions of Time

1. Practice with real-life contexts rather than isolated examples
2. Listen for patterns in native speakers’ conversations
3. Read English texts and pay attention to preposition usage
4. Create your own sentences using different time expressions
5. Use flashcards to memorize common phrases with prepositions
6. Practice regularly with quizzes like this one

Prepositions of time might seem challenging at first, but with regular practice and exposure to English, they’ll become second nature. Remember the basic rules—”at” for specific times, “in” for longer periods, and “on” for days and dates—and you’ll be well on your way to mastering this essential aspect of English grammar.