Using correct time prepositions IN and no preposition | English Time Ask Elo

Answered by @ Elo Kasia

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Using correct time prepositions IN and no preposition | English Time Ask Elo

Question Time: Using correct time prepositions IN and no preposition | English Time Ask Elo

? @ Mikael Nascimento, Thank you for your question.  

? As usual, I will try to explain the difference using simple language and plenty of examples.  

English prepositions can be quite challenging to students of English.

Today, we are going to look at some of them we use every day to talk about time. Three of the most common prepositions of time – at, on, and in – follow certain basic rules.

• AT refers to a very narrow, specific time, such as 4:30 or 7:00 o’clock.
• ON refers to a slightly broader time, of one day or one date, such as Sunday or May 22.
• IN refers to the widest time period, such as a month, a year, a season, a decade, and so on.

  Use IN with months, seasons, years, centuries, long periods of time months in July T

• They’re getting married in July.

seasons

• in summer The kids love playing outside in summer.
• in the summer We go camping in the summer.

years in 2005

• They moved to London in 2005.

centuries in the 1700s

• Alaska was discovered in the 1700s.

long periods in the Middle Ages

• The printing press was invented in the Middle Ages.

Expressions with IN

• in the past In the past, I used to drive to work.
• in the future In the future, I’ll buy a house.
• in a few days She’ll be back in a few days.
• in five minutes He’s going to call back in five minutes.
• in the morning I woke up early in the morning.
• in the afternoon Does she sleep in the afternoon?
• in the evening I’m going to the library in the evening.

NO PREPOSITION

• last Last Friday, we were in London.
• next,  I have a doctor’s appointment next week.
• this, He’s coming over this Thursday.
• everym We watch TV every night.
• today, Today is a brand new day.
• tomorrow, Sorry, I can’t meet you tomorrow.
   
• the day before yesterday, She was in the hospital the day before yesterday.
   
• the day after tomorrow, We’re flying to Mexico the day after tomorrow.
   
• nowadays Nowadays, he’s kind of depressed.

Elo Kasia is the Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy”  and Director at Eloquent Learning Online School www.eloquentlearning.com.