Write a sentence in English at midday. Prepositions with dates in English (with months, days of the week)

The prepositions of time in, at and on cause difficulties for all students, since they have the same translation “in”. Therefore, they are very often confused and used incorrectly.

In Russian everything is simple, we say:

"I will come V 7 o'clock. He will come V September I will do it V Monday".

In English, these three sentences will use different prepositions.

To avoid making mistakes, you just need to remember when we use which preposition.

From the article you will learn in what cases we use in, at, on, and I will give a general table of the use of these prepositions.

From the article you will learn:

What are prepositions of time in English?

Prepositions- these are small words that serve to connect words in a sentence.

We need prepositions of time to indicate the time when something happened/is happening/will happen.

In English there are the following prepositions of time:

at- V
in- V
on- V
from .. to- from some time before
for- for some time
since- since then, from some time
during- during
(un)till- until
before- before
after- after
by- at some point

Today we will look at the use of the prepositions at, in and on, since they most often cause difficulties due to the same translation.

Using the preposition of time in in English

Preposition IN

Translation: V

Transcription: / [in]

We use the preposition in:

1. With the time of day (morning, evening)

They come in the evening.
They come in the evening.

We left in the morning.
We left in the morning.

2. With months (in July, in September)

For example:

He returned in September.
He returned in September.

Her birthday is in November.
Her birthday is in November.

3. Over the years (in 2015, in 1992)

For example:

The house was built in 1967.
This house was built in 1967.

We met in 2001.
We met in 2001.

4. With the seasons (summer, winter)

For example:

The snow melts in spring
The snow melts in the spring.

This happened in autumn.
This happened in the fall.

5. With long periods of time (in the 18th century)

This church was built in the 12th century.
This church was built in the 12th century.

The town was established in the 18th century.
The city was founded in the 18th century.

Using the preposition of time at in English

Preposition AT

Translation: V

Transcription:[æt] / [et]

We use the preposition at in the following cases:

1. With time, when we talk about hours (at 3 o’clock, at 8 o’clock)

For example:

We will meet at 7 o'clock.
We will meet at 7 o'clock.

They go to bed at 10 o'clock.
They go to bed at 10.

2. With certain moments of the day (midnight, noon, lunch, night)

For example:

I"ll ring back at midday.
I'll call you back at noon.

He'll come at noon.
He'll come at lunchtime.

3. Happy weekends and holidays (Easter, Christmas)

For example:

We give presents to each other at the New Year.
We give each other gifts for the New Year.

What are you doing at the weekend?
What do you do on the weekends?

4. In stable expressions:

at the moment - at the moment
at present - currently
at the same time - at the same time
at that/the time - at that/certain time
at the age of - at the age of ... years

For example:

Using the preposition of time on in English

Preposition ON

Translation: V

Pronunciation: [ɔn] / [he]

We use the preposition on in the following cases:

For example:

2. With days of the week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

For example:

Call me on Monday.
Call me on Monday.

See you on Friday.
See you Friday.

3. With special dates (birthdays)

For example:

What will you do on your birthday?
What will you do for your birthday?

General table of the use of prepositions of time at, in, on in English

Let's look at the general table of use of the prepositions at, in, on.

At	In	On
Over time, when we talk about watches: at 3 o'clock at 7 o'clock	With months: in May in July	With dates: on May 9 on July 12 Note: If there is a date, then we use on, not in
With certain moments of the day: at night (we’re talking in general, not about a specific night) at midnight	With time of day: in the evening in the morning Note: If we are referring to a specific night, we can also say: in the night	With days of the week: on Monday on Saturday
Happy weekends and holidays: at the New Year at the weekend	Over the years: in 1999 in 2007	With special dates (usually if the word day is present) or when we indicate a specific holiday: on my birthday on last new year Note: in American English they say on the weekend, not at the weekend
	With seasons (summer, winter): in winter in summer
	With long periods of time: in the 12th century in the 18th century

So, we've covered the theory, now let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English:

1. He will go to work on Monday.
2. They will arrive at 7 o'clock.
3. She was born in January.
4. The store was opened in 2001.
5. They got married on June 17th.
6. We will go skiing in winter.

We constantly use prepositions of time in our speech:

"I'll meet you" V 8. They will come To 6. Call after 12".

English prepositions of time differ from Russian ones, so confusion often arises with their use.

In the article I will talk about the main prepositions of time and give you a table of their use.

From the article you will learn:

What prepositions of time are there in English?

Prepositions are small words that are used to connect words in a sentence.

Prepositions of time we need to indicate the time when something happened/is happening/will happen.

For example:

He will come during hours.

She must finish her work in time before 6.

In English there are the following prepositions of time:

• at - in
• in - in
• on - in
• from … to - from some time until
• for - for some time
• since - since then, from some time
• during - during
• (un)till - until then
• before - before
• after - after
• by - to some point
• over - for, during
• ago - back
• within - no later than; during
• up to - up to

Let's look at their use.

Table of use of prepositions of time with examples

Pretext	Translation	Usage	Example
For	during	Used to say how long an action or situation lasts.	She was baking the cake for an hour. She baked the cake for an hour.
During	during, throughout	Indicates that an action or situation lasted from the beginning to the end of a period of time.	They were studying during the night. They studied all night.
Since	since then	We use it when we say that something is happening or has happened since a certain period of time in the past.	He has known her since childhood. He has known her since childhood.
By	To	Indicates that an action will occur before or not later than a certain time or moment.	You have to send me the documents by the Friday. You need to send me the documents by Friday.
Until/till	before	We use this word when something happens for a certain time and then stops.	Let's wait until Monday. Let's wait until Sunday.
From...to	From to…	We use it when we say that something happened from one time period to another.	We work from nine to five. We work from nine to five.
Before	before	We use it when we say that something happened before a certain action or event.	Read instructions before use. Read the instructions before use.
After	after	We use it when we say that something happened after some event or after someone did something.	You should rest after the exercise. You need to rest after this exercise.
Over	for, during	Used when you have been doing something (intermittently) for a period of time	I am going to study English over my holidays. I'm going to study English during my holidays.
Ago	back	Used to show how long ago something happened in the past.	They got married 5 years ago. They got married 5 years ago.
Within	no later than; during	Used when we say that an action must take place before a certain period of time occurs. We emphasize the limited period.	I will answer within three days. I will respond within three days.
Up to	before	We say that something happened/is happening before a certain period.	He has kept the secret up to now. He kept this secret until this time.
In	V	Used with months, with time of day, with years, with seasons, with long periods of time.	We met in 2001. We met in 2001.
At	V	Used with clocks, with certain moments of the day, with weekends and holidays.	She will come at 6 o'clock. She will arrive at 6 o'clock.
On	V	Used with dates, days of weeks, and special dates.	He was born on October 9. He was born on October 9th.

Since the prepositions in, at, on cause many difficulties for students, we examined them in detail in a separate article.

So, we looked at certain prepositions of time. Now let's practice using them.

Reinforcement task

Translate the following sentences into English. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.

1. She will have read this book by Monday.
2. They will arrive at 9 o'clock.
3. She painted this picture for two hours.
4. They met 2 years ago.
5. You should finish this no later than Wednesday.

The topic of prepositions in English is simple and complex at the same time. It would seem that I remember once and for all where the pretext is, and there are no problems. But, as you have probably already noticed, English is the language of not only rules, but also exceptions. Today we will try to understand in more detail the prepositions of time, namely: at, in, on.

General rule for prepositions of time

Why do we consider these three prepositions together? The fact is that when we use them, they are all translated into Russian the same way - “in”. Hence the confusion, because in Russian “ V Friday" is on Friday, « V 1999" – in 1999 , « V 8 a.m" - at 8 a.m. Let's first look at the general table with the rule for three prepositions, and then we will deal with each preposition separately.

To better remember this information, we suggest watching the following video.

The preposition at in English

Here are some rules for using prepositions: at:

1. With specific points in time: at 6 o'clock(at 6:00), at midday(at noon), at midnight(at midnight), at the moment(Now).

I heard a strange noise at midnight. – At midnight I heard a strange sound.

However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that in some cases we still use the preposition in speaking about the night:

• With expression in the middle of...

I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard my dog ​​barking. – I woke up in the middle of the night when I heard my dog ​​barking.

• When it comes to any particular night.

I had a fever in the night and had to take medicine. “I had a fever at night and had to take medicine. (here we are talking about a specific night, not about the time of day in general)

When we talk about the beginning and end of a period: at the beginning(at first), at the end(at the end).

She is moving in at the beginning of January. - She's moving in at first January.

BUT! We are speaking in the end meaning “ultimately”, “ultimately”.

In the end, it doesn't even matter what he thinks. – Ultimately it doesn't matter what he thinks.

Short periods due to holidays or weekends: at Easter(for Easter) at Christmas(At Christmas), at the weekend(on the weekend).

I will go abroad at the weekend. – On the weekend I'll go abroad.

With words indicating meal times: at breakfast(at breakfast), at lunch(at lunch) at dinner(during the dinner).

Didn't you eat enough at breakfast? -Aren’t you full? at breakfast?

The preposition in in English

Here is a list of cases when the preposition is used in:

1. Over long periods of time. For example: seasons ( in winter– in winter), months ( in October– in October), year ( in 1967– in 1967), decades ( in the 1990s– in the 1990s), centuries ( in the 18th century– in the 18th century) and other time periods ( in the week before Christmas– during the week before Christmas).

I was born in May. - I was born in May.

She was in Italy in 1997. – She was in Italy in 1997.

2. When we talk about the time of day (except for the expression at night): in the morning(in the morning), in the evening(In the evening).

She usually does cooking in the morning. - She usually prepares food in the morning.

3. When we talk about how long it takes to perform an action.

I've learned this poem just in two hours. - I learned this poem just in two hours.

4. If we talk about how long it will take before the action occurs.

The dinner will be served in 10 minutes. - Dinner will be served after 10 minutes.

The preposition on in English

And last on the list, but not least important, is the preposition on.

1. When we talk about a specific day of the week.

My next lesson is on Friday. – My next lesson on Friday.

2. A preposition is used with a specific date or moment of a specific day.

I am meeting my friends on Friday evening. - I'm meeting friends Friday night.

When we don't use prepositions of time

1. Please also note that there are a number of words before which prepositions are not used. These include: all(All), any(any), each(every), every(every), last(past), next(next), one(one), some(some), this(This), that(That).

Compare the following examples:

She'll come in the morning. - She will come in the morning.
She'll come next morning. - She will come next morning.

See you on Monday. - See you on Monday.
I go to the cinema every Monday. - I go to the cinema every Monday.

2. Also prepositions at, in, on are not used before expressions yesterday(yesterday), the day before yesterday(day before yesterday), tomorrow(Tomorrow), the day after tomorrow(day after tomorrow).

I had a lot of work yesterday. - I had a lot of work yesterday.

So, if you take another close look at the examples given in the article, you will definitely notice a certain system in the use of prepositions of time in English. Very generally we can say that the pretext in corresponds to the longest periods of time, such as decades, years, months, etc. At corresponds to the shortest periods of time. On used with specific days of the week and parts of the day.

Watch native speaker from London Lucy explain this topic in her video tutorial. The video comes with high-quality subtitles, which you can use to better understand British speech.

I hope the examples given in the article will help you remember the features of using prepositions of time in English. To verify this, I suggest performing a small test.

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Test

Prepositions of time in English: at, in, on

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Such as when(when?) or how long(how long?). We are all prisoners of time, and knowing when something happened/is happening is very important. Therefore, here we will talk about prepositions of time, i.e. O prepositions that are used before nouns (mainly) when indicating time. Sometimes out of necessity, sometimes out of idle interest.

Ubiquitous on, at, in

Prepositions on, at, in, in addition to being used in many other meanings, are also used as prepositions of time, but their combination with nouns is limited to specific situations that need to be remembered:

• on– used only with days of the week, with dates and certain periods of time (for example, on Friday on the 27th of June, on Sunday morning);
• in– used to indicate the time of day, month, time of year, year and century (for example, in the morning, in July, in summer, in 2014 , in the 19th century).
• in– can also express (in ten years – in ten years (in Russian in such cases the preposition “through”) is usually used.
• at– usually indicates the exact time, holidays, some time of day and part of the week ( at 10:20 , at midnight, at Easter, at the weekend).

These are perhaps the most common prepositions of time in the English language, which indicate more or less precise time. At first, they will be enough for you.

Quartet for, since, before and by

But the English language is not limited to these prepositions. There are a number of prepositions of time that convey a variety of shades.

These are the heroes:

• for(during) – shows the duration of action: I have been learning English for 20 years(I've been learning English for 20 years).
• since(for some time now): My friend has lived here since he was 5(My friend has lived here since he was 5 years old).
• before(before, before): Before I go, I will help you(Before I go, I'll help you).
• by(at some point): The enemy attacked by night(the enemy attacked before dark).

And this is not a complete list. In terms of number, prepositions of time are not much inferior to prepositions of place

We have collected for you all the prepositions of time in one table:

Table. Prepositions of time

Pretext	Example
after – after; through	I will be free after 6 p.m. (I will be free after 6 pm)
at - in	Let's meet at 6:30 (Let's meet at 6:30)
before – before, before	Before we meet, I will book a table. (Before the meeting, I will reserve a table at the restaurant).
between - between	Ok, I will wait for you between 6:30 and 7:30 in the metro. (Okay, I'll wait for you between 6 and 7 in the subway).
by – to; no later than; before	Where are you? We have to be in the restaurant by 19! (Where are you? We must be at the restaurant by 7 o'clock)
during – during, during, for a period	I"m on my way! I hate subway! There are so many people during the day here! (I’m on the way! I hate the subway! There are so many people during the day!)
for – during; on	Truly is! I haven't been taking metro for a long time. (Yeah! I haven't used the metro for a long time)
from – from, from	Usually it takes from 10 to 15 minutes by car to get my work. (It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes by car to get to work).
from... to (till) – from, from... to	I usually work till 9 p.m., so I"m not stuck in a traffic jam. (And then I work from 8 to 9, so I usually don't get stuck in traffic jams).
in – in; through, for, during	Almost here! I will be in 5 minutes. (Almost there! I'll be there in 5 minutes)
on – in, by	Great! Next time we should meet on workdays. (Great! Next time we will need to meet on weekdays).
since – since, since	Since my car is broken, I have to use public transport (Since my car broke down, I have to use public transport.)
till / until – until, until	I have to wait until I get my car fixed. (Until it is repaired at the service station)

Exercise

Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks where necessary with suitable prepositions on, at, in. Sometimes in English a preposition is omitted where it is in Russian, and vice versa.