What Are Prepositions for Time and Place?

Prepositions for time and place are small words that connect events or objects to a moment or a location. They help explain when something happened or where something is.

These include words like “in,” “on,” “at,” “under,” “between,” “next to,” and “behind.” They are not just fillers. They shape meaning and remove confusion.

According to a 2024 grammar study at the University of York, more than 30 percent of advanced ESL learners make mistakes in prepositions during speaking exams.

Most of these errors come from misuse of time and place prepositions. This means native speakers and learners alike benefit from a refresher on their correct use.

How are prepositions of time used in English?

Prepositions of time tell us when something happens. The most commonly used are “at,” “on,” and “in.” They follow specific rules that depend on how exact or broad the time reference is.

When should you use “at” for time?

Use “at” when you are talking about a specific point in time. This includes exact clock times, holidays without the word “day,” and fixed points like midnight or noon.

For instance:

You would say “The meeting starts at 8 am” to pinpoint an exact moment. If someone says “at sunset,” it means the moment the sun disappears. Other examples include “She arrived at midnight,” “Dinner is served at 6,” and “They left at the same time.”

In all these examples, “at” limits the reference to a single moment.

What does “on” mean when used with time?

The word “on” connects events to specific days or dates. It can be used with weekdays, calendar days, and phrases that include the word “day.”

For example:

You can say “on Monday,” “on the weekend,” or “on July 20th.” It also works in phrases like “on his birthday” or “on the last day of school.” These show a single day or occasion, rather than a broad time period.

If you say, “The test is on Wednesday,” the listener knows to expect it on that specific date. That’s how “on” works with time.

How is “in” used for time references?

“In” is used when referring to longer or general time periods. These could be months, years, centuries, or parts of the day.

Let’s consider these examples:

You can say “I was born in April,” “She graduated in 2021,” or “We traveled in the summer.” You would also use “in the morning,” “in the afternoon,” and “in the evening” unless you are being very specific.

“In” is your go-to preposition when the time is not tied to a single point but refers to a span or range.

When do we use prepositions of place in English?

Prepositions of place describe where something is. These words are just as important as prepositions of time because they help you explain surroundings and positions. The most common ones are “at,” “on,” and “in,” followed by others like “under,” “behind,” “between,” and “next to.”

How do you use “at” for place?

The preposition “at” points to a fixed or specific location. It refers to the idea of a point, not a surface or an enclosed area.

Here are examples to guide you:

You say “She is at the door,” meaning she is at the entrance, not necessarily inside. You can also say “They met at the bus stop,” “He is waiting at the corner,” or “We had dinner at the restaurant.”

In each of these cases, the speaker means a particular place or spot rather than the inside of a structure.

What does “on” mean for place?

“On” is used when something is resting on a surface. It shows position or contact with an object below.

Take these sentences:

“The keys are on the table,” “She placed the book on the shelf,” “We sat on the bench,” or “He wrote his name on the wall.”

All of these describe a position where the object is directly touching another surface. “On” helps paint that picture clearly.

When should you use “in” to describe a place?

“In” is used to show that something is inside a space or enclosed area. This can be physical or conceptual.

Consider these examples:

You might say “The milk is in the fridge,” “He lives in Nigeria,” “There is a note in your pocket,” or “She is in the classroom.”

Here, “in” suggests that the item or person is surrounded by something. It means inside the borders of a container, room, city, or country.

What are other useful prepositions for describing places?

There are several more prepositions that are used every day to describe locations clearly. These include “under,” “behind,” “next to,” “between,” and “above.”

Use “under” when something is lower than or beneath another object. For example, “The ball is under the table,” “He put the letter under the pillow,” “The box is under the desk,” and “Shoes are under the bed.”

Use “behind” when something is at the back of another. You could say “The chair is behind the desk,” “She stood behind the curtain,” “The store is behind the hospital,” or “He waited behind the tree.”

“Next to” refers to something immediately beside something else. You would say “The pharmacy is next to the bank,” “The phone is next to the lamp,” “He sat next to me,” and “They built a school next to the church.”

“Between” shows something in the middle of two objects. Examples include “The table is between the sofa and the wall,” “She stood between her parents,” “The park lies between two rivers,” and “Place the vase between the candles.”

“Above” shows something is higher than something else, without direct contact. You can say “The clock is above the fireplace,” “The plane flew above the clouds,” “A painting hangs above the bed,” and “The fan is above the door.”

These prepositions make it easier to describe how items are arranged in space. They reduce confusion and help the listener or reader understand the full picture.

Why do learners often mix these prepositions?

One reason is that many languages use a single word for various positions, while English separates them by time or place and then further divides them into specific uses. Learners often apply direct translation from their native language, which does not always match how prepositions function in English.

A 2023 study from the University of Helsinki noted that learners who practiced prepositions using real-world examples and spatial exercises were 40 percent more accurate than those who only studied grammar rules. That means using them in context matters more than just memorizing lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can you say “at the weekend” or “on the weekend”?
Both are correct depending on location. In British English, “at the weekend” is common. In American English, “on the weekend” is preferred.

2. Why do we say “on the bus” and not “in the bus”?
“On the bus” is standard for being a passenger. “In the bus” might describe someone physically inside, like a driver or a person repairing the engine, but it sounds awkward in everyday use.

3. Is it right to say “on night”?
No. The correct phrase is “at night.” “Night” is seen as a time point, not a day or surface, so “at” is used.

4. Do we say “in school” or “at school”?
Both are used, but with slight differences. “In school” often refers to being enrolled or inside the building, while “at school” means being present at the location or institution.

5. Can I use “on” with countries?
No. You should use “in” with countries. Say “in Canada” or “in Brazil.” “On” is used with surfaces, not large areas like countries.

Final Thoughts

Prepositions for time and place are small in size but vital in meaning. Choosing the right one shapes how your sentence is understood.

“At” narrows things down to a point. “On” connects to surfaces or days. “In” refers to inside spaces or broader time frames. The others help describe spatial relations more clearly.

Using prepositions correctly is not about memorizing rules in isolation. It is about noticing patterns in everyday usage and testing them in speech and writing.

Try listening to how native speakers use these words in context. Read aloud and replace incorrect prepositions with the correct ones. Over time, with steady practice and observation, you will use prepositions naturally and correctly.

What Are Prepositions for Time and Place?