Grammar › Prepositions
Prepositions
Prepositions show time, place or movement. The big three:
- at — a point: at 6, at the door.
- on — a surface, day or date: on the table, on Monday.
- in — an enclosed space or longer period: in the box, in July.
Some prepositions are fixed after a verb or adjective (depend on, good at) — learn those as a set.
| Topic | Use it for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Prepositions of Time: at/on/in | When something happens | at 6, on Monday, in July |
| Prepositions of Place: at/on/in | Where something is | at home, on the wall, in the box |
| Prepositions of Movement | Direction and movement | to school, into the room, across the road |
| In, On, At: time vs place | The big three, side by side | in July / in the box; at 6 / at home |
| Dependent Prepositions | Fixed verb/adjective + preposition | interested in, good at, depend on |
Where do I start?
- Saying when something happens? → prepositions of time (at 6, on Monday, in July).
- Saying where something is? → prepositions of place (at home, on the wall, in the box).
- Talking about direction? → prepositions of movement (to, into, across).
- Which of in, on, at? → in, on, at side by side.
Related grammar points
- For, During & While — How long, when, and two actions at once
- By vs Until — A deadline or a continuous period?
- Between vs Among — Two things or a group?
- On time vs In time — Punctual, or early enough? (+ at/in the end)
Frequently asked questions
What are prepositions?
Small words that show the relationship between things — usually of time, place or movement: at 6 o'clock, on the table, to the station. Some are fixed after certain verbs and adjectives (depend on, good at).
When do I use at, on and in for time?
at for clock times and points (at 6, at night), on for days and dates (on Monday, on 3 May), in for longer periods (in July, in 2025, in the morning).
When do I use at, on and in for place?
at for a point (at the door), on for a surface or line (on the wall, on the bus), in for an enclosed space or area (in the box, in London).
What are dependent prepositions?
Prepositions fixed to a particular verb or adjective: interested in, good at, depend on, afraid of. They must be learned as a set.