AT vs. IN (PREPOSITIONS OF TIME)

Good morning.

Yesterday we looked at the difference between AT and IN as prepositions of location. Today we will look at AT and IN as prepositions of time.

The best way to remember the difference between these time expressions is to associate the preposition with the specific time expression. This means that when you learn a new expression or phrase (for example, o'clock), you should learn the preposition that goes with the phrase (at 9 o'clock).

AT: We use this preposition with the time expressions:
⇒ at hour (1 o'clock, half past two, etc.)
⇒ at the moment
⇒ at night
⇒ at the time (a la hora)
⇒ at the beginning, at the start, at the end of something

Examples:
I get home from work at half past seven.
The television program you want to watch begins at 9 p.m.
He's having a shower at the moment, so he can't answer the phone.
The detective asked them what they had been doing at the time of the robbery.
We'll serve cocktails at the start of the party. I have also planned a special surprise for all of the guests at the end.

IN: We use this preposition with these time expressions:
⇒ in year
⇒ in month
⇒ in season
⇒ in the morning / the afternoon / the evening
⇒ in time (a tiempo)

Examples:
I was born in 1966.
All of us were born in June.
It doesn't usually snow in winter there.
The repairman is coming in the morning.
I didn't get home in time to watch my favourite television program.

Tomorrow we will look at some different popular expressions that use AT or IN.

If you have any questions about today's Daily Vitamin, please post your questions on one of our social media sites (Facebook or Bluesky). You can also create your own sentence or two using these prepositions. We will give you feedback about your sentences as soon as possible.

Have a great rest of the day!