Use of At On In Preposition with Examples & Exercises

Prepositions are a part of speech that can often be confusing for people at times. If you need clarification as to what it is. Well, they are short words which are used to denote time, location, direction etc. If you wish to learn more about this, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, you will read about the introduction of prepositions of time and the use of at on in prepositions. By incorporating all the information, it will help in effective communication. In this blog, we will take you through meaning, examples, and exercises of at, on, and in preposition.

What is Preposition?

A preposition is a word – usually a very small word which indicates a relationship with a noun or noun phrase. It can show direction, location or something that introduces an object. They are typically followed by an object, which can be a noun, a noun phrase or a pronoun. 

Here are some examples of prepositions being used in sentences that will provide you with an idea about them:

• I should rewrite the introduction of my essay.
• We’re cooking for ten guests tonight.
• Jamie ate lunch with her boss.
• Did you send that letter to your grandmother?
• There’s no one to hide behind.

Also Read: Rules for Prepositions in English Grammar with Examples

Where to use At, On, and In?

These are the three prepositions which often confuse many people. Here’s how all three prepositions and their usage of at, on, and in are used in sentences. 

• The preposition ‘at’ is used to refer to a specific time or period.
• The preposition ‘on’ is used to refer to a particular day or date (such as Sunday or 21st December).
• While the third preposition ‘in’ is used to signify a broader time frame (such as a month, year and so on).

Below are some sentences that will provide you with a fair idea of how these three prepositions are used.

Preposition	Sentences
Preposition ‘In’	I am getting married in January.
	This was done in the Mughal era.
	I used to live in this house.
	They moved to Florida in 1999.
	I will come back in December.
	My birthday is in May.
Preposition ‘On’	He gifted a cat on their anniversary.
	Would you like to join me for the party on Friday?
	I told her on Friday evening.
	Where were you on Monday morning?
‘Preposition ‘At’	He is busy at the moment.
	At some time, he will buy a car.
	I will see you at lunchtime.
	I will talk to you at dinnertime.
	She called me at night.

11+ Examples of At, In, and On Prepositions

Below are some mixed examples of prepositions that students can utilize in their articles:

1. At 7:00 am, he wakes up for work.
2. In April, the flowers begin to bloom. (month)
3. The cab arrives on the corner. (specific location)
4. In the afternoon, he takes a nap.
5. They arrived at the beach just before sunrise. (specific location)
6. They wear a coat on cold days.
7. The novel is in my bag.
8. Her birthday is on July 5th. (specific date)
9. He lives in a small town in Manali.
10. He is good at playing the harmonics. (referring to skill)
11. At Christmas, they gather with family. (specific holiday)
12. They can finish this assignment in one week. (duration)
13. The portrait hangs on the wall.
14. They meet for breakfast at the cafe.
15. The meeting is scheduled on Friday

Use of At, In, and On

The three prepositions seem like to confuse many English language users as they have the same function. What you should know is that they cannot be used interchangeably as they refer to other time frames.

• The preposition ‘at’ is utilised to refer to an exact time.
• The preposition ‘on’ is used to indicate a particular day or date, such as on Tuesday, on May 25th.
• The preposition ‘in’ is preferred to a broader time frame, such as a month or a year, a decade, etc.

Also Read: Learn All About Adjectives in English Grammar!

Exercises of ‘At’, ‘On’, ‘In’ Preposition

Fill in the blanks, keeping in mind the correct usage of at, on, in preposition.

1. Bruce did not fare well _____ his examination. (in/at)
2. My sister’s marriage anniversary is _________ (in/on) 12th December.
3. The girl _____ the store is quite young. (at/on)
4. Mahatma Gandhi was born _______ 2nd October. (on/in)
5. The cat jumped _______ the sofa. (on/in)
6. Humpty Dumpty sat ______ a wall. (on/at)
7. The police officer is ______ the station. (at/on)
8. I met Rohan when I was _______ college. (in/on)
9. The troops are ________ war. (in/at)
10. Priya’s house is _______ mine. (next to/after)

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