PREPOSITIONS AT, ON, IN EXERCISE 1 (ESL)
level: Intermediate (B1/B2)
✓ Useful for TOEIC
At, on, and in are three of the most common prepositions in English — but they cover both time and place uses, and a number of fixed idiomatic expressions on top of that. This exercise practices all of these together.
Grammar review
At, on, in — time and place
At, on, and in are used for both time and place expressions. The same size-based logic applies to both.
For TIME:
at = specific point: at 3 PM, at noon, at night, at Christmas
on = days and dates: on Monday, on 12 June, on my birthday
in = longer periods: in March, in 2010, in summer, in the morning
For PLACE:
at = a specific point or location: at the door, at the bus stop, at school, at home, at work
on = a surface or line: on the table, on the wall, on the left, on page 5, on the bus/train
in = inside an enclosed space or area: in the room, in a city, in France, in the car, in bed
Tricky fixed expressions:
at the end (of a period or list) • in the end (eventually, after all)
on time (punctual) • in time (not too late)
at first (initially) • at last (finally)
At, on, and in are used for both time and place expressions. The same size-based logic applies to both.
For TIME:
at = specific point: at 3 PM, at noon, at night, at Christmas
on = days and dates: on Monday, on 12 June, on my birthday
in = longer periods: in March, in 2010, in summer, in the morning
For PLACE:
at = a specific point or location: at the door, at the bus stop, at school, at home, at work
on = a surface or line: on the table, on the wall, on the left, on page 5, on the bus/train
in = inside an enclosed space or area: in the room, in a city, in France, in the car, in bed
Tricky fixed expressions:
at the end (of a period or list) • in the end (eventually, after all)
on time (punctual) • in time (not too late)
at first (initially) • at last (finally)
Fill in each blank with at, on, or in.
1. Howard was late again. He never comes time.✓
2. I have a lot of things to do work today.✓
3. We bought these clothes sale.✓
4. What did you learn class today?✓
5. Didn't we see you the concert?✓
6. It's dangerous to play the street.✓
7. The most expensive stores are located Fifth Avenue.✓
8. If someone is always busily moving around, you can say they're ' the go'.✓
9. I didn't like her first, but we ended up becoming friends.✓
10. I hate standing line. I'm very impatient.✓
11. I didn't like Tom when I met him, but time we became friends.✓
12. Do it right away! = Do it once!✓
13. He put the empty glasses the counter.✓
14. There are lots of handsome men the navy.✓
15. Didn't I see you Julie's party?✓
16. I usually don't work weekends.✓
17. I know you're my friend, but times you behave like you weren't.✓
18. She has everything under control. = She is top of things.✓
19. There was a fire one of the empty apartments.✓
20. I have very bad vision, especially night.✓
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PREPOSITION EXERCISES:
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions of time 1 (A1/A2)
Prepositions of time 2 (A2/B1)
For or since? 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 3 (A1/A2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions: at, on, in 2 (B1/B2)
Prepositions of time 1 (A1/A2)
Prepositions of time 2 (A2/B1)
For or since? 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 1 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 2 (B1/B2)
Mixed prepositions 3 (A1/A2)
Prepositions after adjectives 1 (B1/B2)
Prepositions after adjectives 2 (B1/B2)
