GRAMMAR A2 Prepositions of Time At / On / In During / Until From…to

A2 Prepositions of Time

Learn to use at, on, in, before, after, during, until and from…to with times, days, dates and periods. Impara a usare at, on, in, before, after, during, until e from…to con orari, giorni, date e periodi.

at six on Monday in July during the lesson from nine to five

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1. See it in context1. Guarda le preposizioni di tempo nel contesto

“My English lesson is on Tuesday at six in the evening. The course started in September and continues until December. We usually have a short break during the lesson.”
What to noticeCosa notare

on Tuesday: giorno.

at six: orario preciso.

in the evening / in September: parte della giornata e mese.

until December: punto finale.

during the lesson: durante un’attività o periodo.

2. A2 control panel2. Pannello di controllo A2

At
exact time / night

at 7:30, at night

On
day / date

on Monday, on 15 July

In
month / year / period

in June, in 2026

During
during + noun

during the lesson

Until
end point

until five o’clock

Range
from...to

from Monday to Friday

3. At for precise times3. At per i momenti precisi

Core rule:Regola centrale:

at + exact point in time

Clock timesOrari

at six o’clock

at 9:30

at midday / at midnight

Fixed expressionsEspressioni fisse

at night

at the weekend in British English

at Christmas / at Easter

Italian trap: Si dice at night, non in the night per parlare in generale.

4. On for days and dates4. On per giorni e date

UseUsoExample
Dayson Monday
Dateson 15 July
Specific day + part of dayon Monday morning
Special dayson my birthday
Day + dateon Friday, 20 September

5. In for longer periods5. In per i periodi più lunghi

Months, seasons and yearsMesi, stagioni e anni

in July

in summer

in 2026

in the 1990s

Parts of the dayParti della giornata

in the morning

in the afternoon

in the evening

Exception: at night.

6. No preposition6. Nessuna preposizione

ExpressionCorrect exampleIncorrect
nextnext weekin next week
lastlast yearin last year
thisthis morningin this morning
everyevery Mondayon every Monday
today / tomorrow / yesterdaytomorrow morningon tomorrow

7. Before and after7. Before e after

before

before lunch

before the lesson

before I go to work

after

after dinner

after the meeting

after I finish work

8. During and while8. During e while

DuringWhile
during + nounwhile + subject + verb
during the lessonwhile I was studying
during the summerwhile we were on holiday
during the meetingwhile the manager was speaking
Italian trap: Non dire during I was studying. Usa while I was studying.

9. Until, by and for9. Until, by e for

until

I’ll stay here until six.

L’azione continua fino a quel momento.

by

Please finish it by Friday.

Non oltre quel momento.

for

I studied for two hours.

Durata dell’azione.

in

I’ll finish it in two hours.

Tra due ore da adesso.

10. From…to and between…and10. From…to e between…and

from nine to five
from Monday to Friday
between two and four
between June and September

11. Italian brain vs English brain11. Cervello italiano vs cervello inglese

ItalianoErrore comuneInglese naturale
Alle sei.in sixat six
Lunedì.in Mondayon Monday
A luglio.on Julyin July
La prossima settimana.in next weeknext week
Durante la lezione.while the lessonduring the lesson
Dalle nove alle cinque.from nine until five in the basic target patternfrom nine to five

12. Common mistakes12. Errori comuni

❌ The lesson is in Monday.

Con i giorni usa on.

✅ The lesson is on Monday.
❌ I was born on 2001.

Con gli anni usa in.

✅ I was born in 2001.
❌ We are leaving in next week.

Con next non usare la preposizione.

✅ We are leaving next week.
❌ During I was working, she called.

Durante una frase con soggetto e verbo usa while.

✅ While I was working, she called.

13. Concept Check Questions

1. Which preposition do we normally use with an exact clock time?1. Quale preposizione usiamo normalmente con un orario preciso?
2. Which preposition do we normally use with days and dates?2. Quale preposizione usiamo normalmente con giorni e date?
3. Which preposition do we normally use with months, years and long periods?3. Quale preposizione usiamo normalmente con mesi, anni e periodi lunghi?
4. Do we use a preposition before next week or last year?4. Usiamo una preposizione prima di next week o last year?

14. Quick Check

1. The lesson starts _____ 6:30.1. La lezione inizia _____ 18:30.
2. We have English _____ Monday.2. Abbiamo inglese _____ lunedì.
3. My course finishes _____ July.3. Il mio corso termina _____ luglio.
4. I don’t usually work _____ night.4. Di solito non lavoro _____ notte.
5. We’re going to travel _____ next month.5. Viaggeremo _____ il mese prossimo.

15. Challenge Check

1. The meeting is _____ Monday morning.1. La riunione è _____ lunedì mattina.
2. Please don’t use your phone _____ the lesson.2. Non usare il telefono _____ la lezione.
3. The office is open _____ 7 p.m.3. L’ufficio è aperto _____ alle 19:00.
4. I work _____ nine _____ five.4. Lavoro _____ nove _____ cinque.
5. I’ll finish the report _____ two hours.5. Finirò il rapporto _____ due ore.

16. Write it in English16. Scrivi in inglese

1. La lezione inizia alle sei.
2. Ci vediamo venerdì.
3. Sono nato nel 1995.
4. L’ufficio è aperto dalle nove alle cinque.
5. Non parlare durante l’esame.

17. Correction and transformation17. Correzione e trasformazione

1. Correct the sentence.

The lesson is in Monday.

2. Correct the sentence.

I was born on 2001.

3. Correct the sentence.

We are leaving in next week.

4. Rewrite using UNTIL.

The shop closes at 8 p.m.

5. Rewrite using FROM…TO.

I start work at nine and finish at five.

18. Mini dialogue18. Mini dialogo

A: “When is your English lesson?”A: “Quando hai la lezione di inglese?”

19. Guided writing task19. Writing guidato

Write 60–90 words about your weekly schedule, course timetable or plans. Use at least six different time-preposition structures. Scrivi 60–90 parole sul tuo programma settimanale, sull’orario del corso o sui tuoi progetti. Usa almeno sei strutture diverse con le preposizioni di tempo.

at + exact time
on + day/date
in + month/year/period
during/before/after + noun
until + end point
from…to
Capital letter + punctuation + 60 words
Model answer:

My English lesson is on Tuesday at six in the evening. The course started in September and continues until December. I usually study from eight to nine after dinner. During the lesson, we practise speaking and grammar. I also review vocabulary before the weekend. Next month, I’m going to take a mock test, and I need to finish all the exercises by Friday.

20. Use it in real life20. Usalo nella vita reale

Arrange a meeting

Can we meet on Thursday at three in the afternoon?

Describe a schedule

I work from Monday to Friday and finish at six.

Want a lasting method to learn English?Vuoi un metodo duraturo per imparare l’inglese?

Book a consultation to identify the right path for your level and goals.Prenota un colloquio per individuare il percorso più adatto al tuo livello e ai tuoi obiettivi.

Book a consultationPrenota un colloquio

Final score and reportPunteggio finale e report

Your resultIl tuo risultato

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