Preposition with time expressions AT (+ time) – specific point of time. At 10 o’clock, at noon, at lunchtime, at midnight, at night, at dawn, at sunset, at dust It is also used in the following expressions: at Christmas, at Easter, at New Year, at the moment, at what time?

IN (+ month/year) In is used for longer period of time – weeks, months, seasons, years, centuries In January, in 2001, in the spring, in the future IN is with a certain part of the day: In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, in the middle of the night

ON (+ day/date) On Tuesday, on April 1, on his birthday, on Christmas eve, on Wednesday night NOTE: Do not use the preposition ON before next and last. e.g. She is going to China next Friday.

Exercise: Complete the following sentences with AT, IN or ON or (-) if no preposition is necessary The robbery occurred ___ the morning of November 5. ___ Chinese New Year, you may receive many red pockets. What do you like doing ___ the weekend? In many schools the term ends ___ December 24. If I’m not there, phone again ___the evening. Do you like to have a party ___ your birthday? ___the age of 19, he was already an experienced performer. I’ll meet you ___Friday morning at the bus-stop. I hope deflation will decrease___ next year. Simultaneously means ___the same time.

Preposition with time expressions (II) AT NIGHT means late in the evening before we go to bed. E.g. He likes to go to a karaoke lounge at night. IN THE NIGHT means during the night after we have gone to bed. E.g. They were disturbed by a thief in the night.

AT THE END means at the time which something finished. E.g. at the end of the month, at the end of the course E.g. The Japanese language course will finish at the end of February IN THE END means finally and we specifically use it to state a final conclusion. E.g. The couple experienced a lot of problems so in the end they got divorced. NOTE: What happened at the end of the film? Oh, in the end they got married.

ON TIME means punctual or not late. E.g. Students are expected to arrive on time. IN TIME means soon enough to do something, especially when arriving at a place. E.g. I want to get home in time to see the film on TV.

Exercise: A punctual person usually arrive _____ She was suddenly woken up ______ He arrived just _____ to catch the flight. In HK we can some panoramic views ___ ___ of December we can celebrate Christmas. ___ the couple decided to emigrate to Canada.