Grammar: ✨ Grammar F: 🧩 Parts of Speech - Basics (A1) - Lesson 20: Basic Prepositions of Time (at, in, on)

✨ Lesson 20: Basic Prepositions of Time (at, in, on)

In our last lesson, we used words like 'in' and 'on' to talk about a place. These words can also be used as Prepositions of Time¹ to answer the question "When?".

We can think about these prepositions like a pyramid: from the most general time (in) to the most precise² time (at).

'in' (for LONG periods of time)

We use in for the biggest or longest periods³ of time.

• Months: in January, in May
• Years: in 2024, in 1995
• Seasons: in the rainy season⁴, in the dry season
• Parts of the day: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening

'on' (for DAYS and DATES)

We use on for a smaller, more specific time, like one day or one date from the calendar⁵.

• Days of the week: on Monday, on Sunday
• Specific Dates: on June 10th, on my birthday
• The market in Kampot is very busy on the weekend.

'at' (for PRECISE times)

We use at for the most specific time, like a clock time or a specific point in the day.

• Clock Times: at 7:00 AM, at 5:30 PM, at noon
• Specific Points: at night, at sunrise, at sunset
• The boat tour starts at 5:00 PM to see the sunset.

The Time Pyramid Summary

This table helps you visualize how to choose the correct preposition.

Preposition	Use (General → Specific)	Examples
in	Longest Time (Months, Years)	in August, in 2025
on	Shorter Time (Days, Dates)	on Wednesday, on the 15th
at	Most Specific Time (Clock Time)	at 9 AM, at night

🧠 Practice Quiz: Choose the Correct Word

Choose the correct preposition (in, on, at) to complete the sentences.

1. I start work ___ 8:00 AM.
   → at
2. Khmer New Year is ___ April.
   → in
3. My day off is ___ Sunday.
   → on
4. I like to look at the stars ___ night.
   → at
5. My birthday is ___ August 25th.
   → on

📝 Homework: Complete Sentences About You

Complete these sentences with your own information, using the correct preposition.

---

1. I usually wake up _____ 7:00 AM.

2. My birthday is _____ [Month]. (e.g., in January)

3. My favorite day is _____ Friday.

4. I like to relax _____ the evening.

(Example Answers: 1. at, 2. in, 3. on, 4. in)

Vocabulary Glossary

1. Preposition of Time: (Phrase) - ធ្នាក់នៃពេលវេលា (thneak ney peilveilea) - A word that shows WHEN something happens. ↩
2. Precise: (Adjective) - ជាក់លាក់ (cheak' leak') - Exact and accurate. ↩
3. Period: (Noun) - រយៈពេល (reă'yeă'peil) - A length of time. ↩
4. Season: (Noun) - រដូវ (rô'dov) - One of the main periods of the year (e.g., rainy season, dry season). ↩
5. Calendar: (Noun) - ប្រតិទិន (prâ'tĕ'tĭn) - A chart showing the days, weeks, and months of the year. ↩