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Learning English language

				This week we have two questions about the use of prepositions to point time. Phoebe Chiang from Taiwan writes: We utilize in for longer periods of time. Nosotros also say: 'in the morning', 'in the afternoon' and 'in the night'. Why can't we say: 'in the noon' or 'in the midnight'? And Marta Fernandez from Spain asks: When do we use in and when do we utilize on with dates? Nosotros say 'in September', only can nosotros say 'on September the 29th'?

			'at' with time phrases We utilize at to specify a particular point in time. Both apex and midnight are very short periods. When the clock strikes twelve, it volition exist midnight. Nosotros would therefore say: at midnight or at noon. Consider these further examples: 'Nosotros'll meet you in forepart of the cinema at a quarter to eight.' 'I have to get up at 6 xxx on weekdays.' 'I like to spend some time with my family at Christmas and at Easter.' 'What are y'all doing at the weekend?' He was born at the end of the 19th Century and died at the end of the 20th.' Notation that although both Christmas and Easter concluding for a few days, we prefer to recall of them as a item betoken in time and therefore apply at when referring to them. 'At the weekend' follows a similar design, though Americans would say 'on the weekend.'

			'in' with time phrases As you rightly say, Phoebe, we use in to specify periods of time, parts of the twenty-four hour period, morning, afternoon, evening, or for longer periods birthday. Consider the following examples: 'My dad prefers to work in the morn. He's too tired to piece of work in the evening.' 'My granny ever has a cup of tea at four o' clock in the afternoon.' 'I can't have my vacation in the summertime, so I'll take it sometime in the autumn.' 'Our offset kid was born in 1996, so he'll be v years quondam in June.' Nosotros also employ in to draw how much fourth dimension will pass earlier something happens or to talk about how long something took or takes. Consider the following: 'Do y'all mind waiting? I shall be fix in nigh ten minutes.' 'If you gild it now, you'll receive information technology in about two weeks' time.' 'I tin can run 1 hundred metres in 12.5 seconds!'

			on with time phrases We utilise on, Marta, to refer to detail days and dates, even repeated ones when plural forms are used. Consider the following: 'Could we come across on Lord's day morning time?' 'No, not on Sunday. I go to church on Sundays.' 'Why don't we have the meeting onetime in the afternoon on Th fifth April?' 'It's my birthday on 22nd April, and then I'll ring you lot on 23rd.' Note that when we specify dates in writing, we will tend to write them in one of the following styles: 21 April 2001 (as part of letter heading) on 29th Dec I'm leaving for Paris (inside the body of the letter) However, when we are speaking those dates, nosotros will ordinarily insert the definite commodity and the preposition of, as follows: I'k leaving for Paris on the twenty 9th of Dec. I'm leaving for Paris on Dec the twenty ninth.

			naught preposition with time phrases At/in/on are not normally used with time phrases starting with next, concluding, this, that, every, some, all. Consider the following: 'Last yr I made a cake for Jenny's birthday, but this year I'thou going to buy ane.' 'Are you lot free this morning? If non, I'll run across you next week.' 'I'k at home all day tomorrow, so come up circular (at) any fourth dimension.' Finally, notation that prepositions are oft omitted from fourth dimension questions starting with What...? or Which…? Expect at the following examples: 'What time are you leaving?' 'At eight o' clock.' 'Which days are you busy next week?' 'I'one thousand busy on Wednesday and Fri, but I'm complimentary on Thursday.'

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Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv94.shtml

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