When put on in at. Prepositions in at on: usage rules
Among the variety of prepositions in English, those that are used, perhaps somewhat more often than others and are capable of conveying more than one meaning, deserve special attention. In this article, we will consider the prepositions in at on, which are used in several categories at once and carry a different context. It is about the features of the use of the prepositions at, in and on that will be discussed further.
General characteristics of prepositional structures
The words at, on, in, as already mentioned, can be included in several categories at once. The translation in this case will depend on what type the preposition belongs to. So, for example, the preposition "on" in English can be expressed by any of these structures. This means that it is not the translation that plays the key role, but the context in which this or that preposition is used.
Thus, the described prepositions in English can belong to one of two categories: place or time. The rules of use allow the use of each of these structures in appropriate situations, and here it is important to remember that one form or another does not always coincide with the Russian language and often differs from the usual translation.
Usage in the time category
As temporary indicators, the described prepositions can be used in different situations. So, the table can help describe the prepositions of time in English at, in, on, but first you should describe all the possible meanings of each of these prepositions.
The preposition at in English in the sense of a time indicator is often used to show the exact time: at 5 o'clock, at 7:45 a.m., etc. For at, the pronunciation in the British version of the language looks like [æt], and in the American one this preposition is pronounced like [ət].
In addition, at can be used not only with time frames, for example, at the weekend (at the weekend) or at once (immediately), but also with some stable phrases, for example, at last (after all).
The preposition in in the context of time is usually written in situations where you need to display some time of day, month or season, for example: in December (in December), in spring (in spring), in the evening (in the evening). Also, preposition in is used in the construction in time - on time, and we are talking about a certain amount of time.
The preposition on as a time indicator is always used with the days of the week: on Monday (Monday), on Wednesday (Tuesday), etc.
Use to display location
In addition to being used in the category of time, the prepositions in at on are quite often used as prepositions of place in English. The main differences are only in context and meaning.
So, for example, at as an indicator of place is used to display the location either in some relatively abstract place (at work - at work, at school - at school, i.e. at school), or on the territory of some area (at the crossroads - at the crossroads). Also included in the construction of some set phrases. Examples of such expressions are at the beginning (at the beginning of something), at dusk / dawn (at sunset / dawn), etc.
In in the context of a place is usually very unambiguous, and there is usually nothing complicated in its use, if we are not talking about stable expressions. The standard translation is “in”, that is, inside something: in the box (in the box), in the house (in the house).
On in English shows location on something, implying a surface. For example, on the table (on the table), on the road (on the road), etc. The phrase on time is translated as "on time", but in the meaning of "minute to minute".
Set phrases with at, in, on
Below is a small table with examples of some expressions that cannot be explained in terms of the rule, but only need to be remembered:
Thus, there is a difference between these three prepositions, and it is often difficult to choose the correct option even from such a small number of prepositions. It is important not only to understand their meaning, but also to study special ways and cases of use; otherwise, it will not be possible to hone the skills of using them, and sooner or later errors will still appear.
With prepositions of time in English, things are, oddly enough, better than with other grammatical categories. First, there are only three basic prepositions. Secondly, the exceptions (which are like a thorn in the eye of the students) for them - one, two and counted. Thirdly, in order to learn the basic rule, you do not need to connect logic. You just need to remember it!
Prepositions of time should be memorized in this order: AT -> ON -> IN.
Why in this particular order? Because it is in this sequence (if we take the duration of the time interval as a starting point) that they are used. That is, at is used with the shortest intervals (eg, parts of a day), and in with the longest (eg, years and centuries). Well, do not forget about some exceptions.
And now the most important thing is memorizing stable phrases with prepositions of time.
Table. Prepositions of time in English: at, on, in
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Hourly time:
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Days and dates:
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Months, years, seasons:
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Parts of the day:
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If there is a definition BEFORE the time interval:
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Also used in the meaning "after some time" for the future tense:
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Exceptions:
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Exceptions: if the definition is AFTER the time period, then the preposition in is used:
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Exceptions: parts of the day
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We don't put any prepositions before last, next, this, every. Although in Russian we say “last year”, “next week”, “this semester”, and it’s tempting to put a pretext, you don’t need to do this!
The same can be said about the translation of the question “What time ..?” In English, it sounds like "What time ..?". If you are confused, then forget about this form of question and use "When..?"
In addition to the well-known prepositions of time at, on, in, there are still a lot of necessary prepositions in English. So, let's take a closer look at other prepositions of time.
Before (before) - after (after)
It happened before you arrived.
After school, I sometimes go to the sports ground.
From - (from) …till - (to)
From 8 am to 6 pm I will be at work
From Monday to Friday we go to school
Since - (since)
I haven't seen you since 2010.
I have been working here since 1978.
Note. that with this preposition we put the verb in the Perfect or PErfect Continuous tense.
By - (to, before)
I will be back at 6 o'clock
We will finish by 8 o'clock
With this preposition, we also use Future Perfect or Future Perfect Continuous in the future tense, and Past Perfect or Past Perfect Continuous in the past tense.
There is also a common expression - by the time (that) - by the time ...
By the time you come to my place I'll have cooked the supper.
During - (during)
During (during) the lesson we read a lot.
After during, since it is a preposition, we put a noun. But if you need to put a number, a numeral, then we use for.
For - (during)
I have known him for 10 years.
We are leaving for a week in the village.
Please note that in Russian the phrase “during” may not be in the sentence, but in English for must be present.
As you know, a preposition is an auxiliary part of speech that is used to connect or express a relationship between words in a sentence. There are a lot of prepositions in English, such as at, on, about, in, from, with, by and others.
Today we will analyze in detail the preposition ‘at’ and its use in speech.
Case 1 To indicate a place (to a specific place).
I'm at the hospital now.
I'm in the hospital now.
She studies at university.
She is studying at the university.
Case 2 To refer to specific times or specific periods of the day.
He came home at 7 o’ clock yesterday.
He returned home at 7 o'clock yesterday.
I will meet you at none.
I will meet you at lunchtime.
Case 3 With weekends and holidays.
We were watching TV at the weekend.
We watched TV at the weekend.
People decorate a Christmas tree at the New Year.
People decorate the Christmas tree in the new year.
Case 4. To indicate the beginning or end of a period.
They will move to a new house at the beginning of the summer.
They will move to a new house in early summer.
I am going to visit my sister at the end of the week.
I'm going to visit my sister at the end of the week.
Case 5 In stable expressions that you just need to remember.
at present- currently
at the age of- at the age of ... years
at lunch time- at lunch
at the moment- At the moment
at sunrise/sunset- at sunrise/sunset
at the same time- at the same time
At first glance, the use of prepositions in English is a very simple task. It's really easy if you remember the rules for their use. Different languages use prepositions differently. This time I will tell you how to use "at", "in", "on" and "by" with vehicles, over time, and what they mean in space.
Using at, in, on, by.
Below we will figure out what these prepositions mean in space:
At- "at, about"
At the statue of Pushkin.
(At the monument to Pushkin)
On- "on the"
There is a vase on the table.
(There is a vase on the table)
In- "in"
The vase is in the box.
(The vase is in the box)
By- "near, near, near"
"Don't go far! Come and stand by me!”, mom said to her kid.
(“Don’t go far! Stay close!” Mom said to her baby)
Prepositions with vehicles.
At– not used with vehicles.
On- used with public transport, such as - "train" (train) "bus" (bus), "plane" (airplane), "boat" (boat) and "bicycle" (bicycle). Of course, a bicycle is not public transport, but the logic is that you need to get on a bicycle, because the direct meaning of the preposition "on" is "on".
Examples:
1) I'm returning home on the bus.
(I return home by bus);
2) He is coming on my bicycle.
(He rides my bike).
In- usually used with the words "car" (car), "taxi" (taxi). And here the logic is this - if this is our personal transport, then we use "in". You may have the question “But the taxi is not our personal transport?” Yes, the taxi is not our car, but we pay for the taxi driver to serve us for some time. That is, we pay, and the taxi becomes our means of transportation for some time.
1) Donald is in the car.
(Donald in the car);
2) I will be soon! I'm in the taxi!
(I'll be there soon! I'm in a taxi!)
P.S. The word "boat" is an exception, as it can be used with "on" as well as with "in". If it is a private boat of a person, then he can say "in the boat", and if it is a boat that serves the public, then "on" is used. You can remember this way, when a person moves in public vehicles and on a bicycle, then “on” is used, and if on his own, then “in”.
1) A fisherman is in his boat.
(A fisherman in his boat);
2) We are on the boat and sailing to the other bank.
(We are on a boat and sail to another near the river)
By- and this preposition is used when a person has already arrived by any means of transport. That is, "in" and "on" are used during the movement itself, and with "by" the method of movement is described.
John came here by the plane.
(John arrived by plane)
Using the above prepositions over time.
At- used for the exact time of the day, that is - specifically how many hours, or with words such as "noon" (noon), "midnight" (midnight), etc.
Be here at 5 p.m.!
(Be here at five o'clock in the afternoon!)
On- used with regular and holiday dates, as well as with days of the week.
1) I was born on March 13th.
2) For the first time we have met on the Halloween.
(We first met on Halloween.);
3) On Saturdays we are eating at a restaurant.
(On Saturdays we eat at the restaurant.).
In covers larger units of time. Used with concepts such as "morning" (morning), "evening" (evening), "week" (week), "month" (month), "seasons" (seasons), "years" (years), " decades” (decades), “centuries” (centuries), “periods” (periods in history), etc.
1) I have a romantic supper today in the evening.
(I'm having a romantic dinner tonight.);
2) In the past decade there were no smartphones.
(There were no smartphones in the last decade.) etc.
» When to use "at", "in", "on", and "by"
The prepositions at in on are among the oldest and most popular in English. Over the course of many centuries, from repeated use, their functions have become diverse, and they have become ambiguous. There are a lot of nuances in the use of these words, so we singled them out in a separate article. We suggest that you take them seriously, and this will greatly help in your further learning.
In order to systematize their purpose, it is best to group them according to how they are used, and transfer what is difficult to explain into the category of prepositions with stable expressions.
Like prepositions of place
To begin with, all of these words can be used as prepositions of place. There are many examples, and here are just a few. The use of this or that preposition is difficult to explain, but you can try.
I met him at the airport. I met him at the airport.
I met him in the park. I met him in the park.
In these two cases, it is difficult to derive a rule, which means that these expressions must be filled in.
I work at school. I am a teacher. I work at school. I'am a teacher.
Here the rule applies that if you are a student or teacher of a school, then your presence there is quite logical. We use the preposition "at'. Moreover, we do not put the article before the word school.
I work in the school. I am a builder. I work at school. I am builder.
The builder at the school is a temporary person, so his presence at the school is indicated by the preposition in with the definite article!
I see the birds on the roof of the house. I see birds on the roof of the house.
I came across him on board the ship. I ran into him on board the ship.
Why is there a preposition of after the first case, but it is absent in the second? History is silent.
We conclude that these moments must be learned by heart!
Confirmation of ambiguity
Also, English prepositions in on at can be successfully used as words that define relationships in sentences in time. In order to show that prepositions are polysemantic, we use them in sentences twice:
I met her at the railway station at 8 o'clock. I met her at the railway station at eight o'clock.
I am going to meet her in the park in 10 minutes. I'm going to meet her in the park in 10 minutes.
I saw him sitting on this chair on Saturday. I saw him sitting in that chair on Saturday.
In these sentences, the use of the prepositions at in on in various functions can be traced. That is, in the first case they are used as indicators of a place, and in the second they are words denoting a connection with a certain time.
Sentences with fixed expressions
Set expressions are phrases and phrases that have developed in a certain period of history and have not changed for a long time. Rules for the use of prepositions in stable constructions are not derived, so they must be memorized.
Let's try to make sentences with such phrases.
It was cloudy and I took an umbrella just in case. It was cloudy and I decided to take my umbrella just in case.
I heard his speech on the radio yesterday. I heard him speak on the radio on Saturday.
At last, I managed to pass my exam. I was finally able to pass my exam.
There are a lot of such expressions, and there is no other recipe, except for the fact that they must be tried to remember. Some students, instead of spending hours on end cramming, read books, watch movies, and listen to songs. Thus, they memorize a lot of set expressions. If it works, then why don't you do it too?!
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