Hello and welcome to 6 Minute Vocabulary. I'm Neil.

A very smart Neil. And I'm Catherine. Why are you wearing a suit Neil? You're looking very smart for work.

Well, yes, you're right, I am wearing a suit because I'm going to a wedding at one o'clock.

Very good. I love weddings.

I love weddings too. I'm going to another one on Saturday.

Fantastic Neil. And "at" and "on" are two of the words we're discussing in today's program.

Yes, because we're talking about time expressions with "in," "on," and "at".

We'll explain why we say "at" one o'clock, but "on" Saturday.

Yes. And we'll give you lots of examples.

Let's start by listening to Mike and Rob. They're trying to find a time to meet up.

Think about this question while you listen. What time can Rob meet Mike?

How about lunch on Monday, Rob?

Well, I've got a meeting at 11.30.

Okay, are you free on Tuesday?

The engineer's coming at lunchtime. The washing machines flooded again. It happened at Easter too.

Well, what are you doing in the afternoon?

Sorry, I'm playing football.

Okay. Perhaps we could meet in the pub on Saturday evening?

We've got guests at the weekend. How about this afternoon at 2:30.

So we asked you: What time can Rob meet Mike?

And the answer is: at 2:30.

When we say a particular time on the clock, we use "at".

So we say "at" 2 30, "at" three o'clock.

We also use "at" in other time expressions. Listen out for them in this clip.

How about lunch on Monday Rob?

Well, I've got a meeting at 11.30.

Okay, are you free on Tuesday?

The engineer's coming at lunchtime. The washing machines flooded again. It happened to easter too.

So Rob had a meeting at 11:30. It's "at" because it's a time.

That's right. We also heard "at" lunchtime. We use "at" with particular points during the day, like meal times. So it's "at" breakfast, "at" lunch, "at" dinner.

And also we say "at" noon, "at" midnight.

Now Rob said his washing machine flooded at Easter. We use "at" to talk about a special day or group of days. So it's "at" Easter, "at" New Year.

"At" Christmas. So that's "at". Now let's look at "on". We use "on" with days of the week. So "on" Monday, "on" Tuesday.

We also use "on" with specific dates, "on" the third of May, "on" June the 20th.

And we use "on" with specific days: "on" Christmas Day, "on" Easter Sunday, "on" my birthday.

That's right. But remember it's "at" Easter, "at" Christmas when we are referring to the general time period.

Good. Now let's listen to another clip with more time expressions. This time, listen out for the time expression with "in".

What are you doing in the afternoon?

Sorry. I'm playing football.

Okay. Perhaps we could meet in the pub on Saturday evening?

We've got guests at the weekend.

How about this afternoon at 2:30.

So we had "in" the afternoon. We use "in" with parts of the day. So it's "in" the morning, "in" the afternoon, "in" the evening.

But did you notice that it's "on" Saturday evening? If we use a day of the week plus morning, afternoon or evening we use "on".

And we also use "in" with seasons. So it's "in" spring, "in" the winter.

We use "in" with months and years. So it's "in" June, "in" 1996.

Notice also that Rob said "at" the weekend.

Rob speaks British English so he used "at" the weekend. Some other speakers will say "on" the weekend. It's perfectly fine.

And we're talking about time expressions with "in," "on," and "at".

We are. So to recap, we use "on" with days of the week, dates, and special days.

We use "at" with times and particular points in the day.

British people say "at" the weekend.

And we also use "at" with festivals.

We use "in" for seasons, months, and years.

And now for a quiz. Fill the gaps with "in," "on" or "at". Ready? Number one. What do you usually do __ the weekend?

And the answer is "at".

Good. Number two. Don't be late. The film starts __ nine.

And the answer is "at".

And the last one, there are usually fireworks in London __ New Year's Eve.

And the answer is "on". Well done if you got them all right.

Well done indeed. And now for today's top tip for learning vocabulary: Instead of learning individual new words, try learning small chunks of language like time phrases.

They will be easier to learn and they make your English sound a lot more natural.

There's more about this at bbclearningenglish.com. Join us again for more 6 Minute Vocabulary. Bye.