Cuándo usar in, on, at para tiempo

Master prepositions of time with confidence. Learn exactly when to use in, on, and at through clear rules and real examples you can copy in your own answers. Improve accuracy fast and avoid common mistakes.

How do in, on, at work for time?

Understanding scope is the key. We go from general to specific: in is general, on is more specific, and at is very specific. Think of it as zooming in on time.

What does in express?

• General periods like years and months. Example: “The pandemic was in 2020.” “My birthday is in February.”
• Seasons as general time frames. Example: “Christmas is in winter.”
• Time periods that last a duration. Example: “My class starts in two hours.”
• Parts of the day in general use. Example: “I have breakfast in the morning.”

When do we use on?

• Days of the week. Example: “My class is on Thursday.”
• Special days that are unique. Example: “I see my family on Christmas Day.”
• Specific dates with the full date. Example: “My birthday is on February 21st.”

When is at correct?

• Exact clock times. Example: “My appointment is at 5:00 PM.”
• Specific parts of the day. Example: “At night,” “at midnight,” “at noon.”
• Holidays as a period vs a day. Example: “I visit my family at Christmas.” But “I visit my family on Christmas Day.”

Tip to remember: “I was born in February on a Monday at 8:00 AM.” General to specific in a single sentence.

How do real conversations use in, on, at?

Listen for the day and the time. You will often hear on for the day and at for the clock time in the same sentence.

• “I go to the gym on Mondays and on Wednesdays at 8:00 AM.”
• “My mom’s birthday is on April the 18th.”
• “I can go for dinner on Thursday or on Friday.”
• “My meeting with my boss is on Thursday at 11:00 AM.”
• “I have English classes on Thursdays at 8:00 AM and on Fridays at 4:00 PM.”

Notice the pattern: on + day or date, at + time. Keep days and times together naturally.

How can you practice and self-check?

Use quick checks to reinforce the rule from general to specific. Say your answer out loud and verify the preposition.

• “My birthday is in June.” Month only, so use in.
• “I have lunch at noon.” Specific part of the day, so at.
• “See you on Christmas Day.” Specific day, so on.
• “See you at Christmas.” Holiday period, so at.
• “The wedding is on March 10th.” Full date, so on. “It’s in March” is also correct for the month only.

Which key vocabulary should you notice?

• Year and month: “in 2020,” “in February.”
• Season and morning: “in winter,” “in the morning.”
• Day of the week: “on Thursday,” “on Mondays.”
• Date: “on February 21st,” “on April the 18th.”
• Time: “at 8:00 AM,” “at 11:00 AM,” “at 4:00 PM.”
• Night, midnight, noon: “at night,” “at midnight,” “at noon.”
• Holiday vs day: “at Christmas,” “on Christmas Day.”

Ready to try it yourself? Share two sentences about your week using in, on, and at in the comments.