IN vs ON vs AT (Time)
AT for clock time, ON for days/dates, IN for longer periods (weeks+)
Question 1
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
My birthday is _____ July.
Context: Months
🧠Why This Mistake Happens
The Problem:
Spanish uses 'en' for most time expressions where English uses IN/ON/AT
Linguistic Reason:
Spanish uses 'en' as the default time preposition across contexts where English distinguishes IN/ON/AT. The distinction is based on specificity and time unit size in English, but Spanish collapses these into one preposition.
Spanish Example:
Spanish: En julio, En 2024, En lunes = In July, In 2024, On Monday
Spanish uses 'en' across all these contexts, with only specific clock times using 'a' ('a las 3' = at 3)
💡 Quick Rule:
AT for clock time, ON for days/dates, IN for longer periods (weeks+)
Exceptions:
- • at night (not 'in night')
- • at the weekend (British), on the weekend (American)
Common Examples:
I was born in July 4th
I was born on July 4th
Specific date
The meeting is at Monday
The meeting is on Monday
Day of the week
I'll see you on 3 o'clock
I'll see you at 3 o'clock
Clock time
💡 Tips for Success
- •AT for exact times (at 3pm, at midnight, at noon)
- •ON for days and dates (on Monday, on July 4th)
- •IN for longer periods (in 2024, in July, in the morning)
- •Exceptions: at night, at the weekend (British), on the weekend (American)
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