Sign inOn vs. In
'On' and 'in' are both prepositions that show time which is why they are confused by learners. In this lesson, we will learn their uses and differences.
What Is Their Main Difference?
The main difference between the prepositions of time 'on' and 'in' is that 'on' refers to a specific date while 'in' is used to talk about longer periods of time.
Talking about Specific Dates
We use the preposition 'on' to show when exactly an action or event happened. It is used with days of the week, specific dates, holidays. Have a look:
I was working
The doctor is here
Talking about Long Periods
We use 'in' to talk about long periods of time which include months, seasons, years, decades, etc. For example:
He started working here
I will graduate
Are They Interchangeable?
They are not interchangeable. 'On' and 'in' showcase different time factors, therefore, replacing them will cause a drastic change in the meaning of the sentence and will confuse the audience.
Can They Be Used in One Sentence?
We can use more than one preposition of time in one sentence to give more detail about time. Have a look:
I met my wife
The incident occurred
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On vs. Onto
Have you ever been confused about which of the prepositions 'on' and 'onto' you should use? Learn more in this lesson.
