PREPOSITIONS OF TIME EXERCISE 1 (AT, ON, IN) (ESL)
level: Beginner (A1/A2)
Prepositions of time are among the first prepositions English learners encounter — but knowing which one to use with a specific type of time expression takes consistent practice. This exercise covers the three main ones: at, on, and in.
Grammar review
Prepositions of time — at, on, in
The three main prepositions of time in English each work at a different level of specificity.
AT — for specific times and fixed expressions:
at 3 o’clock, at noon, at midnight, at night, at the weekend (British English), at Christmas, at the moment
“The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
ON — for days and dates:
on Monday, on Tuesday morning, on 15 March, on my birthday, on New Year’s Day, on the weekend (American English)
“She was born on the 5th of June.”
IN — for months, years, seasons, and longer periods:
in January, in 2010, in summer, in the morning/afternoon/evening, in the 19th century
“We moved here in March.”
No preposition with last, next, this, every, tomorrow, yesterday:
✗ “I saw him on last Monday.” ✓ “I saw him last Monday.”
The three main prepositions of time in English each work at a different level of specificity.
AT — for specific times and fixed expressions:
at 3 o’clock, at noon, at midnight, at night, at the weekend (British English), at Christmas, at the moment
“The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
ON — for days and dates:
on Monday, on Tuesday morning, on 15 March, on my birthday, on New Year’s Day, on the weekend (American English)
“She was born on the 5th of June.”
IN — for months, years, seasons, and longer periods:
in January, in 2010, in summer, in the morning/afternoon/evening, in the 19th century
“We moved here in March.”
No preposition with last, next, this, every, tomorrow, yesterday:
✗ “I saw him on last Monday.” ✓ “I saw him last Monday.”
1. I have not seen him the summer. (since/for/from)✓
2. I am going there three weeks. (since/for/from)✓
3. We had our party 8:00 PM until 10:00 PM. (since/for/from)✓
4. I have been sick Sunday. (since/for/from)✓
5. They have been sick three days. (since/for/from)✓
6. I will be ready 30 minutes. (since/for/in)✓
7. I've been studying French 2022. (since/for/in)✓
8. She slept one hour. (since/for/in)✓
9. My sister will be here two hours. (since/for/in)✓
10. I have not eaten this morning. (since/for/in)✓
11. I can't come tomorrow. I'll be there three days. (from/for/in)✓
12. I plan to stay in Los Angeles one week. (from/for/in)✓
13.
The store is open 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM. (from/for/since)✓
14. Mary has been sick Monday. (from/for/since)✓
15. I can't meet you at 7. I don't get off work 8:00 PM. (from/for/until)✓
16. I'll be able to meet you 8:00 PM. (at/on/in)✓
17. I have to be back at work 30 minutes. (at/on/in)✓
18. I have to be back at work Tuesday. (at/on/in)✓
19. The students have been on vacation last Friday. (since/on/from)✓
20. Our teacher is coming back the summer. (at/on/in)✓
CHECK OUT OUR OTHER PREPOSITION EXERCISES:
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (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)
Tired of ads? Sign up for our ad-free PREMIUM EDITION for lots of great content!
Prepositions: at, on, in 1 (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)
Tired of ads? Sign up for our ad-free PREMIUM EDITION for lots of great content!
