Prepositions of time - B1

Conversation practice

Answer the questions. Pay attention to the prepositions used in the questions and make sure you use the same prepositions in your answers.

1. What time do you wake up at the weekends?
2. Do you study English on Mondays?
3. Do you always drink coffee in the mornings?
4. When you meet your friends are you always on time?
5. Where did you go on holidays last year?
6. What do you like to do in your free time in summer?
7. Is your birthday in February?
8. What do you usually do on your birthday?
9. Do you visit your parents at Christmas?

Theory part 1

Read the theory carefully. Can you see the patterns? All phrases under the + sign are some exceptions to the rules.

Prepositions of Time Exercise

Instructions: Fill in the blanks with at, on, or in.

1. The train leaves ________ 7 pm sharp.
2. Many famous artists flourished ________ the 90s.
3. We always visit our family ________ Christmas Eve.
4. She usually goes for a run ________ the morning.
5. The sky turned bright red ________ sunset.
6. The contract expires ________ the 5th of June.
7. Industrial automation rapidly advanced ________ the 20th century.
8. I will be busy ________ lunchtime, so let's meet later.
9. They decided to throw a huge party ________ my birthday.
10. The company was founded ________ 1996.
11. He likes to read a chapter of his book ________ bedtime.
12. I have an important call ________ Friday morning.
13. She prefers to study ________ the evening when it is quiet.
14. Please make sure you arrive ________ time for the presentation.
15. The temperature drops significantly ________ night.
16. We are planning a trip ________ winter.
17. I am unable to answer the phone ________ the moment.
18. The office is closed ________ New Year's Eve.
19. They met for coffee ________ Saturday evening.
20. Human life will look very different ________ 5 years.

Too difficult?

If you feel completely overwhelmed by those rules, I encourage you to do those materials first, link. They tackle the basics of ‘Prepositions of time’ and are a great introduction to this topic. Go ahead, there are clips too 😃

Exercise 1

Let’s make it a bit more interesting and interactive, shall we? 😈 First, fill in the gaps in the quotes given below and then check your answers by watching those clips!

Exercise 2

Correct mistakes in the sentences below.

1. I never drink tea on the morning. I usually drink it on noon.
2. You should visit me at summer! It’s so beautiful here!
3. I’ve been waiting for you for an hour! Why can’t you ever be at time?
4. My birthday is in the 20th of June. I always go for lunch with my friends in my birthday.
5. Do you check your emails on the evenings or in night?
6. What were you doing in Sunday morning last week?
7. I was born on the 90s.
8. Will you come home on Christmas?
9. I’ll be ready on 10 minutes!
10. I always sleep late in the weekends.

Theory part 2

Are you ready for more? Now that you know when to use prepositions, let’s find out when not to use them.

Exercise 3

Don’t take my word for it! I’ll show you some clips in which those words are used. Each quote, however, has a mistake in it. Find them and check your answers by watching those clips.

Exercise 4

Fill in the gaps with ‘this’ ‘last’ or ‘next’

• We had a huge family dinner _______ Christmas.
• What are you doing _______ weekend? Do you want to meet up?
• I am starting my new job _______ Monday.
• They bought a beautiful house _______ year.
• Are you free _______ evening for a quick cup of coffee?
• We are going to visit our grandparents in Spain _______ summer.
• I met my best friend for lunch _______ Friday.
• She is super busy _______ week, so let's call her later.

Exercise 5

Answer the questions.

• Where did you go on holiday last summer?
• What are you planning to do this evening?
• What are you going to buy next month?
• Did you get any nice presents last Christmas?
• Are you doing anything exciting this weekend?
• What is one big goal you have for next year?
• What was the best thing that happened to you last week?
• Where would you like to travel next summer?
• Have you seen any good movies this month?
• What did you eat for dinner last night?

Exercise 6

Let’s practise everything we’ve learnt so far! Use the correct prepositions in the following sentences.

1. I’ll meet you ... Saturday afternoon.
2. My mum was born ... the 60s.
3. I liked Hawaiian pizza ... the past but now I don’t. Maybe I’ll like it again ... the future.
4. Where were you ... lunchtime?
5. ... last Christmas I gave you my heart.
6. How do snowmen feel ... summer? They’re definitely not chill!
7. Do you ever eat snacks ... night?
8. People who wake up ... sunrise are crazy!
9. Where do you see yourself ... 5 years?
10. I might visit you ... next month.
11. What do you mean I’m not punctual? I’m always ... time!
12. Sorry, I won’t have much time ... this week.
13. I’m going on holidays ... 2 months.
14. The conference will take place ... the 25th of March.
15. Is your birthday ... August?

Extra practice!

Let’s revise with some bonus clips! Put “in”, “on”, “at” or nothing in the gaps and watch the clips to check your answers.

F. "I say we throw a surprise party … this weekend. Okay, but if we throw her a party … her birthday, then it's not a surprise.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJLpssiYcqI