Hey guys, it's Hadar and this is the Accent's Way.
In this two-part video lesson, we are going to untangle the
confusion and I'm going to give you my best tips and tricks as to remember when to use which.
This video is going to deal with 'on', 'in' and 'at' when it comes to time
and the next video is going to be about places.
But before we begin, I want you to visualize these three words.
And understand the hierarchy and the difference, the bigger difference.
When it comes to time and place 'at' is always going to be the most specific.
'on' a little less specific, and 'in' is usually the least specific.
Now, let's look at it when it comes to time. I want you to visualize your calendar. Look at this month's calendar.
Okay, so you have the box, which is the entire month and it's divided into columns.
These are the days. And then you have small boxes, these are the hours.
So when you schedule a meeting you pick a certain hour.
That is the most specific time that you have in the calendar.
And this is when you use 'at', because 'at' is used when you indicate a specific time.
'At 9 a.m.'
'At 3:45'
'At 8 p.m.'
Because noon is always 12 p.m.
Or at midnight because it's always 12 a.m.
There is one exception when we use 'at' and I'll talk about it later.
Okay. So 'at' is a specific time. You only use 'at' when you want to indicate a specific hour.
'on' is the columns in your calendar, meaning days and dates.
Let's meet 'on' the fourth of July.
Or let's meet 'on' a Saturday, next month.
So we use 'in' to indicate a specific time within a larger timeframe.
A specific time within a larger timeframe, where you don't want to commit to exactly when.
Because it doesn't matter, because you don't know yet. For example, let's meet in the morning.
A time frame, right, you can meet at 9:00 a.m.
9:30
9:45
You can meet at 10:00. That's all in the morning, so you don't commit to when exactly.
So 'in' a specific time within a larger time frame.
Let's meet 'in' the afternoon.
'afternoon' is again, like you have a few options there.
But you don't want to commit to one and you say 'in'.
Maybe it doesn't matter. Maybe you don't know yet.
So you use 'in' when you want to talk about a specific time within a larger time frame.
You can also use it when you talk about months.
It can be on the first, on the second, on the third, on the first Wednesday in July.
You can use it when you talk about seasons.
It can be when you talk about years.
'In' 2020 I plan to travel to Japan.
'In' 2001 I moved to New York.
'In' 2013 my first daughter was born.
And you can also use it to talk about eras.
'In' the Renaissance.
So 'at' always remember it, is a specific time.
'on' is the columns, days or dates.
And then 'in' is the specific time within a larger time frame where you don't want to commit to exactly when.
So it's least specific. You need more information to know when exactly to show up.
The only exception is when we use 'at' night.
Because night is a larger time frame and night can be
10 p.m.
11 p.m.
12 a.m.
But we still use 'at'. Why? Because it's English and we have to something irregular.
Otherwise, it won't be that interesting.
So use 'at' night and for other parts of the day just use 'in'.
Okay, so that was 'on', 'in' and 'at' when it comes to describing time.
And next week we are going to talk about 'on', 'in' and 'at' when it comes to place.
And you definitely don't want to miss it out.
Because I have a really great tool that can help you remember when to use 'on', 'in' and 'at', really easily.
So if you haven't subscribed yet, this would be a good time, so subscribe to my channel
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Like the 'on', 'in' and 'at' video.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about 'on', 'in' and 'at' when it comes to time
or you have other tips as to remember when to use what, we'd love to hear.
Have a wonderful week and I will see you in the next video.
Bye.