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What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence. They typically indicate relationships of time, place, direction, or manner.

Preposition Structure
Preposition + Object = Prepositional Phrase

The object is always a noun or pronoun that follows the preposition.
Example: in the house, at noon, with her

Common Prepositions

at
in
on
to
from
by
with
about
for
of
over
under
between
among
through
during
before
after

Examples in Sentences

Place

The book is on the table.

Time

The meeting is at 3 PM.

Direction

She walked to the store.

Manner

He spoke with confidence.

Prepositions of Time

At, In, On - When things happen

AT, IN, ON for Time Beginner

The three most important prepositions of time are AT, IN, and ON. Each is used for different types of time expressions.

The Time Rule
AT = Specific times (clock times, moments)
IN = Longer periods (months, years, centuries, parts of day)
ON = Days and dates

AT - Specific Times

Usage Examples
Clock times at 5 o'clock, at 7:30, at noon, at midnight
Specific moments at sunrise, at sunset, at dawn, at dusk
Meal times at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner
Special times at night, at the weekend (British), at Christmas
Ages at age 25, at the age of 18
AT Examples

The class starts at 9 AM.

I wake up at sunrise.

We eat at noon.

She learned to drive at age 16.

Common Mistakes
✗ INCORRECT
The meeting is in 3 PM.
✓ CORRECT
The meeting is at 3 PM.
✗ INCORRECT
I'll see you on midnight.
✓ CORRECT
I'll see you at midnight.

IN - Longer Periods

Usage Examples
Months in January, in March, in December
Years in 2024, in 1999, in 2050
Decades/Centuries in the 1990s, in the 21st century
Seasons in summer, in winter, in spring, in fall/autumn
Parts of day in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening
Future time in 5 minutes, in 2 hours, in 3 days, in a week
IN Examples

My birthday is in May.

She was born in 1995.

I exercise in the morning.

I'll be ready in 10 minutes.

Note: Exception!
⚠️ Important Exception
We say "at night" (NOT "in the night")
But: "in the middle of the night" is correct

ON - Days and Dates

Usage Examples
Days of the week on Monday, on Tuesday, on Friday
Specific dates on March 15th, on July 4th, on the 10th of June
Days + part of day on Monday morning, on Friday afternoon
Special days on my birthday, on Christmas Day, on New Year's Eve
Weekends (American) on the weekend, on weekends
ON Examples

The meeting is on Thursday.

I was born on May 15th.

We leave on Monday morning.

I'll see you on the weekend.

Common Mistakes
✗ INCORRECT
The exam is in Friday.
✓ CORRECT
The exam is on Friday.