🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Distinguish between the use of AT, ON, and IN for time expressions
- Identify the correct preposition of place (AT, ON, IN) for business locations
- Apply time and place prepositions correctly in sentences about work
- Demonstrate understanding of prepositions in schedules and meeting arrangements
📚 Grammar Explanation
We use the prepositions AT, ON, and IN to talk about time and place. Choosing the correct one depends on how specific you are.
Prepositions of Time
| Preposition | Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AT | Specific times & moments | at 8:00 AM, at midday, at lunchtime, at night |
| ON | Days & dates | on Monday, on 4th July, at the weekend |
| IN | Longer periods (months, years, etc.) | in the morning, in August, in 2025, in summer |
Prepositions of Place
| Preposition | Use | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| AT | Specific points & addresses | at the reception, at the bus stop, at 24 King Street |
| ON | Surfaces & floors | on the desk, on the wall, on the second floor |
| IN | Enclosed spaces & large areas | in the office, in a taxi, in London, in Italy |
IN = Big (in a country, in a year)
ON = Medium (on a street, on a day)
AT = Small & Specific (at an address, at a time)
💼 Professional Contexts
📖 Examples & Analysis
✅ Correct Usage
• The weekly team meeting is at 9:00 AM. (We use AT for specific clock times).
• All employees must attend the training session on Thursday. (We use ON for specific days of the week).
• Our company was founded in 2010. (We use IN for years).
• Let's meet at the reception desk before we go to lunch. (We use AT for a specific point or location).
• I left the presentation file on your desk. (We use ON for a surface).
• The new branch is in Singapore. (We use IN for large areas like cities and countries).
❌ Common Mistakes
Incorrect: The presentation is in Friday morning.
Correct: The presentation is on Friday morning.
(Explanation: We use ON for days, even if we add 'morning' or 'afternoon').
Incorrect: My manager is on his office.
Correct: My manager is in his office.
(Explanation: An office is an enclosed space, so we use IN).
Incorrect: The webinar starts on 4 PM.
Correct: The webinar starts at 4 PM.
(Explanation: We always use AT for specific clock times).
🎧 Listening Exercise
Listening Questions
🧠 Interactive Quiz
✅ Exercise A: True/False Grammar Check
📊 Exercise B: Fill the Weekly Schedule
| Event | Time / Day | Place / Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Team Brainstorming | Monday | the Blue Room |
| 2. Lunch with Client | 12:30 PM | the corner cafe |
| 3. Budget Review | the afternoon | my office |
| 4. Project Deadline | Friday | - |
📧 Exercise C: Multiple Choice Cloze
Hi everyone,
This is a quick update about our move (1) ___ the new building. The move will happen (2) ___ Saturday. Please make sure your desk is clear.
All IT equipment will be set up (3) ___ the weekend. We will be ready to work (4) ___ our new desks (5) ___ Monday morning.
Thanks,
Management
🗣️ Speaking Practice - Preparation for Class
These tasks are for practice with your teacher. Prepare this topic for your next class.
Instructions: Tell your teacher about a typical workday. Use at, on, and in to describe your schedule. Prepare for 1 minute. Speak for 1-2 minutes.
Preparation Tips: Think about:
- What time do you start work? (I start work at...)
- What do you do in the morning? (In the morning, I...)
- Do you have meetings on specific days? (On Wednesdays, I have...)
Example Framework: "On a typical day, I start work at 8:30 AM. In the morning, I check my emails. At 10 AM on Mondays, we have a team meeting in the main conference room..."
📝 Prepare this topic for your next class
Instructions: Imagine a client is visiting your office next week. Plan their one-day visit. Explain the schedule to your teacher. Prepare for 1-2 minutes.
Preparation Tips: Use the following structure:
- Arrival time: The client will arrive at...
- Meeting schedule: The first meeting is on... at... in...
- Lunch plans: We will have lunch at...
Example Framework: "The client will arrive at the office at 10 AM on Tuesday. We will have a welcome coffee in the kitchen. The main meeting is at 10:30 AM in Room 4. Then, we'll have lunch at 1 PM at a restaurant near the office."
📝 Prepare this topic for your next class
Instructions: You and your teacher are colleagues attending a conference. Discuss the schedule and decide which talks to see. Prepare for 2 minutes. Speak for 2-3 minutes.
Preparation Guidance: Look at a fictional schedule (your teacher can provide one or you can imagine one).
- Discuss events on different days (on Friday, on Saturday)
- Talk about specific talks at certain times (at 11 AM)
- Mention locations (in Hall B, at the main stage)
Example Starter: "Okay, so the conference starts on Thursday. I see there's an interesting talk on marketing at 9 AM in the main hall. Are you interested in that?"
📝 Prepare this topic for your next class
📝 Summary
Key Takeaways
- Use AT for specific times (at 5 PM) and specific points (at the door)
- Use ON for days and dates (on Monday, on May 1st) and for surfaces (on the table)
- Use IN for longer periods (in 2024, in July) and for enclosed or large areas (in the room, in Paris)
Study Tips
- Calendar Check: Look at your work calendar. Describe your week's appointments aloud to yourself using at, on, and in
- Email Scan: Read your work emails. Pay attention to how you and your colleagues use these prepositions when discussing schedules and locations
- Visual Association: When you are in your office, look around. Say sentences like: "The clock is on the wall. My computer is on my desk. I am in my office."