UNDERSTANDING USES OF PREPOSITIONS IN / ON / AT (PART II)

·         at for a precise time

·         in for months, years, centuries, long periods

·         on for days and dates

*On is frequently omitted before the expressions Thuesday morning, Thuesday afternoon, etc.

·         I saw her on Xmas day.

·         He started work on Monday.

*In some varieties of English people say on the weekend and on Christmas.

·         She often goes out at night.

·         I have a meeting at 10am.

·         I don't usually work at the weekend.

·         I stay with my family at Christmas.

·         We finished the test at the same time.

Idioms

1.     at a time: He went down the steps two at a time.

2.     at last: At last, they found the answer to the question.

3.     at times: At times, she enjoys a good historical novel.

4.     in case of: In case of rain, the people will stay at home.

5.     in the beginning In the beginning, they didn't understand English.

6.     in the end: In the end, the two policemen caught the thief.

7.      in time for: I came in time for the second half of the movie.

8.     on occasion: On occasion, I enjoy a good television program.

9.     on time: He almost always gets to work on time.

10.on the spur of the moment: We decided on the spur of the moment.