Lesson 2: Prepositions of Time & Place

Welcome back! In this lesson, we will explore the essential English prepositions of time and place: In, On, and At.

Knowing exactly which small word to use when describing a location or a time can be tricky for English learners, especially since many other languages use just one word for all of them. We will break down the rules for cities, streets, specific times, and dates so you can give clear directions and schedule meetings perfectly.

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Welcome back to A2 Vocabulary! I am Teacher Sopheak. When I coordinate local activities or team meetings for our tour group, tourists and staff always ask me "Where is the meeting point?" and "When do we leave?"

Using the correct small words—prepositions—is the secret to giving clear directions and organizing smooth schedules. Let's master them!

warning Watch Out: The Translation Trap!

English prepositions are very specific!

In many languages, people use a single word to describe location and time. In English, you must choose between In, On, or At depending on the size and specificity of the location or time!

language General

One Word
(e.g., "Nov")

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public English

IN
Big (Cities/Months)

ON
Medium (Streets/Days)

AT
Small (Specific points/Times)

place

Prepositions of Place

Place

In /ɪn/

Definition: Used for enclosed spaces or large areas like cities and countries.

Example: We live in Battambang. The meeting is in the office.

Place

On /ɑːn/

Definition: Used to show something is touching a surface, or located along a street.

Example: The keys are on the table. The shop is on Street 2.5.

Place

At /æt/

Definition: Used for a very specific point, address, or location.

Example: I will meet you at the cafe. She is waiting at the bus station.

schedule

Prepositions of Time

Time

In /ɪn/

Definition: Used for longer periods: months, years, seasons, or parts of the day.

Example: The festival is in November. I drink coffee in the morning.

Time

On /ɑːn/

Definition: Used for specific days of the week and dates.

Example: Our team meeting is on Monday. My birthday is on July 4th.

Time

At /æt/

Definition: Used for exact clock times.

Example: The tour starts exactly at 7:30 AM.

record_voice_over In Action: Booking a Tour

A

When does the tour start?

B

We leave on Tuesday, at 8:00 AM.

A

Where is the meeting point?

B

Our office is in Battambang, on Street 1.5.

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Real-World Check

local_taxi Arranging Transport

You are booking a taxi for a hotel guest. Fill in the blank: "The driver will arrive ____ 2:00 PM."

(Hint: We need a preposition for a specific clock time.)

map Giving Directions

A tourist is looking for the market. Fill in the blank: "The market is ____ Battambang."

(Hint: We need a preposition for a large area like a city.)

event Staff Scheduling

You are sending a message to your team. Fill in the blank: "We have an important meeting ____ Monday."

(Hint: We need a preposition for a specific day of the week.)

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Study Resources

Lesson Summary & Review

Let's review the key concepts covered in the interactive module above to ensure you are ready to use prepositions correctly.

Prepositions of Place (Location)

• IN (Big): Use for cities, countries, or enclosed spaces. (e.g., "In Cambodia", "In a box")
• ON (Medium): Use for streets, avenues, or surfaces. (e.g., "On Street 2.5", "On the table")
• AT (Small): Use for exact addresses or specific points. (e.g., "At the bus station", "At 123 Main St.")

Prepositions of Time

• IN (Big): Use for months, years, or parts of the day. (e.g., "In 2026", "In the morning")
• ON (Medium): Use for specific days or dates. (e.g., "On Tuesday", "On July 4th")
• AT (Small): Use for exact clock times. (e.g., "At 8:00 AM", "At noon")