According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, a preposition is “a word or group of words, such as in, from, to, out of and on behalf of, used before a noun or pronoun to show place, position, time or method.” Below, we will look at how to use prepositions at, on, and in with place and time. Prepositions may seem challenging, but the following examples should help you sort things out.
Prepositions with Place
When talking about where someone or something is located, we use at for a point, such as at home or at work.
We use on for surfaces, such as on the table, on the door, on the window, on the floor, on the ceiling.
We use in for 3-dimensional shapes, such as in the cup, in the bag, in the car, in the room, in the building.
When someone or something moves toward a location, we use to for a point, such as go to work, walk to the store, drive to the bank.
We use onto when moving toward a 2-dimensional surface, such as stick onto the window, hang onto the door, pin onto the wall.
We use into when moving toward a 3-dimensional shape, such as pour into the cup, put into the bag, get into the car.
Remember the difference between a stationary location (no movement) or direction toward a location (with movement).
Where? (no movement)
Where to? (with movement)
Prepositions with Time
We use prepositions with the hour, date, day, part of a day, and longer periods of time, such as months, seasons, years, decades, and centuries.
