At, On or In for Time?
Practice at, on, and in with times, dates, and short calendar messages.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Isi bagian yang kosong.
The movie starts ___ 7:30 p.m.
- at
- on
- in
Look at the exact clock time.
Show solution
The movie starts at 7:30 p.m.
Use “at” for clock times, such as “at 7:30” or “at nine o’clock.”
-
2. Isi bagian yang kosong.
Your next appointment is ___ Tuesday.
- in
- at
- on
Tuesday is a day of the week.
Show solution
Your next appointment is on Tuesday.
Use “on” with days of the week. “On Tuesdays” can describe something that happens every Tuesday.
-
3. Isi bagian yang kosong.
Our family trip is ___ August.
- on
- in
- at
The message names a month, not an exact day.
Show solution
Our family trip is in August.
Use “in” with months. “In August” does not tell us the exact date.
-
4. Isi bagian yang kosong.
This library opened ___ 2010.
- in
- on
- at
2010 is a year.
Show solution
This library opened in 2010.
Use “in” with years. You can also combine a month and year: “in June 2010.”
-
5. Isi bagian yang kosong.
We plan to go skiing ___ winter.
- at
- on
- in
Winter is a season.
Show solution
We plan to go skiing in winter.
Use “in” with seasons. Both “in winter” and “in the winter” are common.
-
6. Isi bagian yang kosong.
I have class in the morning, so let's talk ___ the afternoon.
- on
- in
- at
The message names a general part of the day.
Show solution
I have class in the morning, so let's talk in the afternoon.
Use “in the” with morning, afternoon, and evening when no specific day is named.
-
7. Isi bagian yang kosong.
Please call during the day. I turn off my phone ___ night.
- in
- at
- on
Night uses a different pattern from “the morning.”
Show solution
Please call during the day. I turn off my phone at night.
“At night” is the usual expression for nighttime in general. It has no “the.”
-
8. Pilih jawaban yang benar.
How can Sam suggest meeting during their lunch break?
- Let's meet on lunchtime.
- Let's meet in lunchtime.
- Let's meet at lunchtime.
Lunchtime is treated as a point in the day.
Show solution
- Let's meet at lunchtime.
Use “at lunchtime” for the time when people eat lunch. You do not need an exact clock time.
-
9. Isi bagian yang kosong.
Please save the date: our wedding is ___ June 14.
- at
- on
- in
The month and number together name one day.
Show solution
Please save the date: our wedding is on June 14.
Use “on” with an exact date. Compare “in June” with “on June 14.”
-
10. Isi bagian yang kosong.
The office is closed ___ New Year's Day.
- on
- in
- at
This holiday name refers to one particular day.
Show solution
The office is closed on New Year's Day.
Use “on” for holidays, such as “on New Year's Day” or “on Christmas Day.”
-
11. Pilih jawaban yang benar.
Which year fits this message?
The sports center opened in the 1980s.
- 1986
- 2006
- 2016
The 1980s are the ten years from 1980 to 1989.
Show solution
- 1986
“In the 1980s” means sometime from 1980 through 1989. Use “in” with decades.
-
12. Isi bagian yang kosong.
I'm busy tomorrow. Can we meet ___ Friday morning instead?
- in
- at
- on
The morning belongs to a specific day.
Show solution
I'm busy tomorrow. Can we meet on Friday morning instead?
A specific day changes the pattern: “in the morning,” but “on Friday morning.”
-
13. Isi bagian yang kosong.
I can't go to both meetings. They start ___ the same time.
- on
- at
- in
The meetings have the same starting time.
Show solution
I can't go to both meetings. They start at the same time.
“At the same time” means that two things happen together, not one after the other.
-
14. Pilih jawaban yang benar.
It is 3:00 p.m. when you receive this message. When will the call start?
Our call starts in ten minutes.
- At 3:00 p.m.
- At 3:10 p.m.
- At 3:30 p.m.
Count forward ten minutes from the time of the message.
Show solution
- At 3:10 p.m.
“In ten minutes” means ten minutes from now. It does not describe how long the call lasts.
-
15. Pilih jawaban yang benar.
A friend wants to call now. Which reply says you are busy now?
- I'll be busy in an hour.
- I was busy on Monday.
- I'm busy at the moment.
Look for an expression about the present, not the past or future.
Show solution
- I'm busy at the moment.
“At the moment” means “now.” It is useful when you explain why you cannot talk.