Prepositions of Time and Place

ივარჯიშე — Prepositions of Time and Place

Prepositions 'in', 'on', and 'at' are used for both time and place, but each has specific rules. Mastering them removes easy errors on the NAEC exam.

Rule

TIME: 'at' for exact times and holidays (at 5pm, at Christmas), 'on' for days and dates (on Monday, on March 5th), 'in' for longer periods (in January, in 2024, in the morning). PLACE: 'at' for specific points (at the bus stop, at home), 'on' for surfaces and lines (on the table, on the second floor), 'in' for enclosed spaces (in the room, in Tbilisi). No preposition with 'home' after go/come/get, or with 'last/next/this/every' for time.

at + exact point (time/place) | on + surface/day/date | in + enclosed space / longer time period

Examples

Time: atThe exam starts at 9:30 in the morning.

Time: onWe have English classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Time: inShe was born in April 2008.

Place: atI'll meet you at the entrance of the school.

Place: onThe painting is on the wall above the sofa.

Place: inHe's been living in Kutaisi for three years.

Exam Tip

Remember the size rule: AT = smallest/most specific point, ON = surface or specific day, IN = largest/most enclosed. For time: at 3pm (point), on Friday (day), in June (month). This pattern works for both time and place.

Common Errors

!Using 'in' instead of 'on' for days: 'in Monday' instead of 'on Monday'.
!Using 'in' instead of 'at' for exact times: 'in 5 o'clock' instead of 'at 5 o'clock'.
!Adding a preposition with 'home' after movement verbs: 'I went to home' instead of 'I went home'.
!Adding a preposition before 'last/next/this': 'on last Friday' instead of 'last Friday', or 'in this month' instead of 'this month'.