Prepositions of Time: In, On, At
Prepositions of Time (সময়ের পূর্বসর্গ): In, On, At
Introductionভূমিকা
Prepositions of time — mainly in, on and at — tell us when something happens. English uses each one for a specific kind of time: 'at' for clock times, 'on' for days and dates, and 'in' for longer periods like months and years. Getting them right is one of the fastest ways to sound fluent.
Prepositions of time — মূলত in, on ও at — বলে দেয় কোনো কিছু কখন ঘটে। ইংরেজিতে প্রতিটি নির্দিষ্ট ধরনের সময়ের জন্য ব্যবহৃত হয়: ঘড়ির সময়ে 'at', দিন ও তারিখে 'on', আর মাস-বছরের মতো দীর্ঘ সময়ে 'in'। এগুলো সঠিকভাবে ব্যবহার করা সাবলীল শোনানোর দ্রুততম উপায়গুলোর একটি।
Definitionসংজ্ঞা
A preposition of time links a noun of time to the rest of the sentence. The three main ones follow a size rule: 'at' for exact points (at 5 o'clock), 'on' for specific days and dates (on Monday), and 'in' for longer periods (in July, in 2026).
Preposition of time কোনো সময়সূচক noun-কে বাক্যের বাকি অংশের সাথে যুক্ত করে। প্রধান তিনটি একটি আকার-নিয়ম মেনে চলে: নির্দিষ্ট বিন্দুতে 'at' (at 5 o'clock), নির্দিষ্ট দিন ও তারিখে 'on' (on Monday), আর দীর্ঘ সময়ে 'in' (in July, in 2026)।
Bangla Explanationবাংলা ব্যাখ্যা
সহজভাবে মনে রাখুন সময়ের আকার অনুযায়ী: সবচেয়ে ছোট (ঘড়ির নির্দিষ্ট সময়) → at — at 6 o'clock, at noon, at night. মাঝারি (দিন ও তারিখ) → on — on Sunday, on 21 February, on my birthday. সবচেয়ে বড় (মাস, ঋতু, বছর, শতাব্দী) → in — in April, in winter, in 2026, in the morning. কিছু নির্দিষ্ট বাক্যাংশে at বসে যদিও তা দিনের বড় অংশ: at night, at the weekend, at Eid. আবার সকাল-বিকাল-সন্ধ্যায় in বসে (in the morning/afternoon/evening) কিন্তু রাতে at (at night) — এটি মুখস্থ রাখতে হবে।
Examplesউদাহরণ
- The class starts at 9 o'clock.ক্লাস ৯টায় শুরু হয়। (at — নির্দিষ্ট সময়)
- We have a holiday on Friday.শুক্রবারে আমাদের ছুটি থাকে। (on — দিন)
- My birthday is in December.আমার জন্মদিন ডিসেম্বরে। (in — মাস)
- She was born in 2005.সে ২০০৫ সালে জন্মগ্রহণ করে। (in — বছর)
- I will meet you on 15 March.আমি তোমার সাথে ১৫ মার্চে দেখা করব। (on — তারিখ)
- The stars come out at night.রাতে তারা ফুটে ওঠে। (at night — নির্দিষ্ট বাক্যাংশ)
Common Mistakesসাধারণ ভুল
I will see you in Monday.
I will see you on Monday.
Days of the week take 'on', not 'in'.
The meeting is at July.
The meeting is in July.
Months take 'in', because a month is a long period.
He wakes up at the morning.
He wakes up in the morning.
Use 'in the morning/afternoon/evening', but 'at night'.
The train leaves on 6 o'clock.
The train leaves at 6 o'clock.
Exact clock times take 'at', not 'on'.
Tipsটিপস
- Think of size: 'at' for a point in time, 'on' for a day, 'in' for a long period. — আকার ভাবুন: বিন্দু-সময়ে 'at', একটি দিনে 'on', দীর্ঘ সময়ে 'in'।
- Days and dates always take 'on': on Sunday, on 1 January, on New Year's Day. — দিন ও তারিখে সবসময় 'on' বসে: on Sunday, on 1 January, on New Year's Day।
- Remember the exceptions: 'at night', 'at the weekend', 'at noon' and 'at midnight'. — ব্যতিক্রমগুলো মনে রাখুন: 'at night', 'at the weekend', 'at noon', 'at midnight'।
- Do not use in/on/at before 'every', 'next', 'last', 'this' or 'tomorrow': say 'next week', not 'in next week'. — 'every', 'next', 'last', 'this' বা 'tomorrow'-এর আগে in/on/at বসে না: 'in next week' নয়, শুধু 'next week' বলুন।
Quizকুইজ
Tap an answer to check yourself — a free preview of the full graded quiz in the app.
1. Choose the correct preposition: 'The shop opens ___ 8 a.m.'
2. Complete: 'Independence Day is ___ 26 March.'
3. Choose the correct preposition: 'It often rains ___ July.'
4. Pick the correct sentence.
Practiceঅনুশীলন
Try each one, then reveal the answer.
1. Fill in the blank: The exam is ___ Monday.
Hint: Days of the week take this preposition.
2. Fill in the blank: We usually travel ___ summer.
Hint: Seasons are long periods.
3. Fill in the blank: The bus arrives ___ 7:30.
Hint: Exact clock times.
4. Fill in the blank: I can't sleep ___ night.
Hint: A fixed expression, not 'in the night'.
Related Lessonsসম্পর্কিত পাঠ
- Prepositions of PlaceLearn prepositions of place in Bangla and English: how to use in, on, at, under, between and more to describe location, with examples, mistakes and a free quiz.
- Present Simple TenseThe present simple tense in Bangla and English: how to use it for habits and facts, the -s/-es rule, questions and negatives, examples, mistakes and a free quiz.
- Present Continuous TenseLearn the present continuous tense in Bangla and English: the am/is/are + verb-ing rule for actions happening now, spelling, questions, negatives, examples and a free quiz.
AI Practiceএআই অনুশীলন
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Practise with the AI teacher →Frequently Asked Questionsসাধারণ জিজ্ঞাসা
When should I use in, on or at for time?
Use 'at' for exact times (at 6 o'clock, at noon), 'on' for days and dates (on Monday, on 5 May), and 'in' for longer periods (in the morning, in June, in 2026). A helpful rule is: the smaller the time, the earlier the letter — at is smallest, in is largest.
Why do we say 'at night' but 'in the morning'?
These are fixed expressions in English. Morning, afternoon and evening take 'in', but night is an exception and takes 'at'. It is best to memorise 'at night' as a set phrase.
Do I use a preposition before 'next', 'last' or 'every'?
No. Words like next, last, this, every and tomorrow do not take in/on/at. Say 'I'll call you next week' and 'every day', not 'in next week' or 'on every day'.