How to Tell the Time and Use Prepositions of Time in English (IN, ON, AT Explained)

By -VHTC

22 October

Understanding time in English is one of the most essential grammar and communication skills. Whether you are introducing yourself, scheduling a meeting, or describing your daily routine, you’ll often need to tell the time and use prepositions of time correctly.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn:

How to read and tell the time in British and American English
The difference between past and to when telling time
How to use the prepositions IN, ON, and AT with time expressions
Examples, charts, and tips for students preparing for exams or everyday communication

Part 1: How to Tell the Time in English

Telling the time in English involves reading the hour and minute hands on a clock and expressing the time using specific structures.

Let’s understand this step by step.

1. The Basics of Time Expressions

We use “past” and “to” to express minutes before or after an hour.

“Past” = after the hour
“To” = before the next hour

For example:

3:10 → Ten past three
4:45 → A quarter to five

2. Key Vocabulary for Telling Time

Time Expression	Meaning / Example
o’clock	Used for exact hours → It’s 8 o’clock.
five past	5 minutes after the hour → It’s five past six (6:05).
ten past	10 minutes after → It’s ten past seven (7:10).
quarter past	15 minutes after → It’s a quarter past nine (9:15).
twenty past	20 minutes after → It’s twenty past five (5:20).
half past	30 minutes after → It’s half past four (4:30).
twenty to	20 minutes before → It’s twenty to three (2:40).
quarter to	15 minutes before → It’s a quarter to eight (7:45).
five to	5 minutes before → It’s five to twelve (11:55).

3. British English vs American English

There’s a small but important difference in how British and American speakers express time:

Time	British English	American English
10:25	Twenty-five past ten	Ten twenty-five
6:45	A quarter to seven	Six forty-five
4:15	A quarter past four	Four fifteen
9:05	Five past nine	Nine oh five

Tip for learners:
If you’re taking an IELTS, Cambridge, or other UK-based test, use British style (past/to).
If you’re studying TOEFL or living in the US, use American style (hour + minutes).

4. Practice Examples

2:00 → It’s two o’clock.
2:30 → It’s half past two.
2:45 → It’s a quarter to three.
9:40 → It’s twenty to ten.
8:05 → It’s five past eight.
10:25 → It’s twenty-five past ten.

Part 2: Prepositions of Time – IN, ON, AT

Once you can tell the time, the next step is learning how to use the correct prepositions — words that connect nouns to time expressions. The three most important prepositions of time are IN, ON, and AT.

Let’s learn when to use each.

1. IN – for longer periods of time

Use IN with:

Months → in January, in April
Years → in 2010, in 1901
Seasons → in summer, in winter
Parts of the day → in the morning, in the evening

Examples:

I was born in 2002.
We go swimming in summer.
She studies in the morning.
The company was founded in 1999.

Rule:
Use IN when referring to something that happens within a general time frame, not a specific day or moment.

2. ON – for specific days and dates

Use ON with:

Days of the week → on Monday, on Wednesday
Specific dates → on August 15, on March 28th
Special days or holidays → on my birthday, on Christmas

Examples:

The meeting is on Friday.
We’ll travel on Christmas Day.
Independence Day is on August 15.
She has an exam on Monday morning.

Tip:
If the event happens on a particular date or day, always use ON.

3. AT – for specific times and exact moments

Use AT with:

Exact times → at 3:00, at 4:20 a.m.
Special times of the day → at noon, at midnight
Short holidays/festivals (sometimes) → at Christmas (British English)

Examples:

The class starts at 9 o’clock.
We usually have lunch at noon.
She wakes up at 6:30 a.m.
The party begins at midnight.

Rule:
Use AT when talking about a precise moment in time.

Quick Comparison Table: IN vs ON vs AT

Preposition	Used For	Examples
IN	Months, years, seasons, parts of day	in January, in 2024, in summer, in the evening
ON	Days, dates, special days	on Monday, on July 4th, on my birthday
AT	Specific times, exact moments	at 9 o’clock, at midnight, at noon

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Incorrect	Correct
I was born on 2001.	I was born in 2001.
Let’s meet in Friday.	Let’s meet on Friday.
The class starts in 9:00.	The class starts at 9:00.
We travel on summer.	We travel in summer.

Tip for learners: Always remember the pattern:
IN → long period
ON → specific day
AT → exact time

How Prepositions and Time Work Together

You can combine time expressions with prepositions for clear communication:

In the morning at 9:00
On Monday evening at 6:30
In April on the 10th at noon

Example:

The exam is in April, on the 10th, at 9:00 a.m.

Practice Section

Fill in the blanks with IN, ON, or AT:

We will meet ___ Friday.
My birthday is ___ March.
The train leaves ___ 5 o’clock.
She was born ___ 1999.
They arrived ___ the morning.

Answers:

on, 2. in, 3. at, 4. in, 5. in

Bonus: Time-Telling Practice Sentences

Digital Time	British English	American English
7:15	Quarter past seven	Seven fifteen
8:30	Half past eight	Eight thirty
9:45	Quarter to ten	Nine forty-five
12:00	Twelve o’clock / Noon	Twelve o’clock
11:55	Five to twelve	Eleven fifty-five

Try saying these aloud to improve pronunciation and fluency.

FAQ

Q1. What’s the difference between “past” and “to”?

“Past” shows minutes after the hour (e.g., five past ten = 10:05).
“To” shows minutes before the next hour (e.g., ten to six = 5:50).

Q2. Can I use “at night” or “in night”?

Always use at night.
Example: I study at night. (not in night)

Q3. How do I tell time formally and informally?

Formal: The meeting begins at half past nine.
Informal: The meeting starts at nine thirty.

Q4. Why do British and American English tell time differently?

British English focuses on minutes before/after the hour, while American English prefers the numerical clock style.

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How to Tell the Time and Use Prepositions of Time in English (IN, ON, AT Explained)