At, On or In for Time?
Practice at, on, and in with times, dates, and short calendar messages.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.”
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2. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.
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3. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.
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4. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.”
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5. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.
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6. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.
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7. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.”
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8. Scegli la risposta corretta.
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.
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9. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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.”
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10. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
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 a named holiday day, such as “on New Year's Day” or “on Christmas Day.”
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11. Scegli la risposta corretta.
Which year fits this message?
The sports center opened in the 1980s.
- 1986
- 2006
- 2016
The 1980s are ten years that begin with 198.
Show solution
- 1986
“In the 1980s” means sometime from 1980 through 1989. Use “in” with decades.
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12. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
I'm busy Thursday evening. Can we meet ___ Friday morning instead?
- in
- at
- on
The morning belongs to a specific day.
Show solution
I'm busy Thursday evening. Can we meet on Friday morning instead?
A specific day changes the pattern: “in the morning,” but “on Friday morning.”
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13. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
Both meetings start at 2:00 p.m. I can't attend both because they start ___ the same time.
- on
- at
- in
The meetings have the same starting time.
Show solution
Both meetings start at 2:00 p.m. I can't attend both because they start at the same time.
“At the same time” means that two things happen together, not one after the other.
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14. Scegli la risposta corretta.
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.
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15. Scegli la risposta corretta.
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.