Prepositions cause more exam mistakes than almost any other area. Learn the common patterns and the exceptions.
Time: on / in / at
on + days/dates: on Friday, on March 9th. in + months/years/seasons/parts of day: in spring, in 1830, in the morning. at + specific times: at midnight, at 9 am, at night.
- The flowers bloom beautifully in spring. ✓
- The fireworks start on midnight. ✗ → at midnight ✓
- We will carry out our project outline by Friday the 9th. ✓
Go for + a walk
Go for a walk = take a walk. Go to a walk = wrong. Going for a walk = also correct (gerund).
- What about going for a walk in the countryside? ← Both 'going for a walk' and 'a walk' are OK
Place: in / on / at
in + enclosed spaces: in the kitchen, in New York. on + surfaces: on the table, on the wall. at + specific points: at the bus stop, at school.
How to learn prepositions
Don't memorise rules alone — memorise the chunks: 'in spring', 'at midnight', 'on Friday', 'by + date'.