Do "in", "on", and "at" make you pause? Good news: there are simple, clear patterns you can learn today. In this lesson, you’ll master these three prepositions for time and place, see lots of everyday examples, and practice right away. Let’s make your English smoother now!

The big picture: time (in, on, at)

Think of time like this:

• in = big periods (months, years, seasons, parts of the day)
• on = specific days and dates
• at = exact clock times and special short moments

in + months, years, seasons, and parts of the day

• in June
• in 2025
• in winter
• in the morning / in the afternoon / in the evening

on + days and dates

• on Monday
• on Fridays (repeated days)
• on 5 May / on May 5

at + clock times and short moments

• at 7 o’clock / at 7:30
• at noon / at midnight
• at night (special phrase)

Use these patterns to choose quickly and confidently.

Let’s meet noon.

Places: where things are (in, on, at)

Think of place like this:

• in = inside something or inside an area
• on = on a surface or on top of something
• at = at a point or location (often addresses or events)

in = inside

• in the box
• in the room
• in Paris / in Spain

on = on a surface

• on the table
• on the wall
• on the floor

at = at a point or event

• at the station
• at school / at work
• at 12 Baker Street (address)

These patterns help you describe location in simple, natural English.

in Monday → on Monday Use “on” with days and dates. on the night → at night “At night” is a fixed phrase. in the table → on the table Use “on” for surfaces. at the car → in the car Use “in” for cars (inside the car). For buses, trains, and planes, we usually say “on.”

Useful phrases with in/on/at

Transport:

• in the car, in a taxi
• on the bus, on the train, on a plane

Media and devices:

• on TV, on the radio, on the phone

Home:

• at home
• in the house (inside the building)

Times:

• in the morning / in the evening
• at night
• at noon / at midnight

These are common, everyday collocations. Learn them as fixed phrases to sound natural.

The picture is the wall.

She works 12 Baker Street.

Mini summary

• Time:

  • in + months, years, seasons, parts of the day (in June, in 2025, in winter, in the morning)
  • on + days and dates (on Monday, on 5 May)
  • at + exact times and short moments (at 7:30, at noon, at night)

• Place:

  • in + inside or areas (in the box, in Paris)
  • on + surfaces (on the table, on the wall)
  • at + points, events, addresses (at the station, at school, at 12 Baker Street)

• Fixed phrases to remember: at night, at home, on the bus, in bed.

Final practice and encouragement

Try to notice these patterns in daily life: your calendar (on Monday), the time on your phone (at 7:30), and places around you (on the table, in your bag, at work). With a little practice, “in, on, at” will feel easy and natural. You’ve got this—keep going, and use these phrases today!