We use at with times. Let’s see the following examples.
- at 6 o’clock, at 10.30, at midnight, at lunchtime
Expressions After At
The following expressions is usually preceded by at. See the followings.
- at night, at the week-end, at week-ends, at Christmas, at Idul Fitri, at the moment, at present, at the same time, at the age of ….
On Before Dates and Days
We use on before dates and days. Let’s see the following examples.
- on Sunday, on 13 September, on Lebaran Day, on Monday mornings, on Saturday evenings, on Saturday nights
In Before Months, Years, Seasons
We use in before months, years, seasons. Let’s see the following examples.
- in May , in 1960, in (the) winter, in ( the )15th century, in the 1960s, in the Middle Ages
We do not use at in on before last and next:
- I’II see you next Friday.
- They got married last March.
In Followed By A Period of Time In The Future
- The train will be leaving in a few minutes. (= a few minutes from now)
- They are getting married in two months’ time.
At In On Exercises
Exercise I
Complete the sentences with the correct prepositions : at, in, on.
- The Dutch came to Indonesia … 1596.
- Please, don’t speak … the same time. I can’t catch what you’re saying.
- We can see the stars … night.
- He died … the age of six.
- I was born … Wednesday.
- They’ll be back … September.
- Can you call me back later on. I’m very busy … the moment.
- The show begins … 7 o’clock this evening.
- Hurry up. We’ve got to go … ten minutes.
- I’ve been invited to her birthday party … 15 September.
Exercise II
Answer the following questions using at, in, on.
- When were you born?
- When did you start going to school?
- What time do you usually get up in the morning?
- What time do you have lunch?
- What time do you have dinner?
- When can we see the moon?
- When did you first ride a bicycle?
- When do bats look for food?
- When do the roosters crow?
- When do the Spaniards have siesta?
Answer
Exercise I
- The Dutch came to Indonesia in 1596.
- Please, don’t speak at the same time. I can’t catch what you’re saying.
- We can see the stars at night.
- He died at the age of six.
- I was born on Wednesday.
- They’ll be back in September.
- Can you call me back later on. I’m very busy at the moment.
- The show begins at 7 o’clock this evening.
- Hurry up. We’ve got to go in ten minutes.
- I’ve been invited to her birthday party on 15 September.
Exercise II
Different answers are possible.
- I was born in 2000.
- I started going to school at the age of five.
- I usually get up at 4 in the morning.
- I have lunch at 12.
- I have dinner at 7.30.
- We can see the moon at night.
- I first rode a bicycle at 7.
- Bats look for food at night.
- Roosters crow early in the morning.
- The Spaniards have siesta in the afternoon.