Introduction

Understanding Prepositions In On At can be challenging for beginner English learners. In this lesson, you will learn how to use these essential prepositions with real examples inspired by the FIFA World Cup schedule. Through practical exercises and interactive activities, you will improve your grammar while exploring one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

Prepositions are small words, but they play a very important role in communication. They help us talk about places, dates, and times accurately. Many English learners struggle to decide whether they should use in, on, or at, especially when discussing schedules and events.

The FIFA World Cup provides a perfect real-life context for practicing these prepositions. By using match schedules, cities, countries, dates, and times, you will learn how English speakers naturally use IN, ON, and AT in everyday situations.

What Are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that show relationships between other words in a sentence. They often indicate time, location, or direction.

Preposition	Main Use	Example
IN	Months, years, countries, cities	I live in Brazil.
ON	Days and dates	The game is on Monday.
AT	Time	The match starts at 8 p.m.

Learning these three prepositions is one of the first steps toward mastering English grammar.

Understanding IN

We use IN for countries, cities, months, years, and larger places.

Examples

I live in Brazil.

(Eu moro no Brasil.)

The tournament will be in Canada.

(O torneio será no Canadá.)

More examples:

• My cousin lives in Mexico.
• The World Cup will be held in North America.
• The final match will take place in July.

Understanding ON

We use ON for specific days and dates.

Examples

My English class is on Tuesday.

(Minha aula de inglês é na terça-feira.)

The match is on June 15th.

(O jogo é em 15 de junho.)

More examples:

• The game is on Friday.
• Brazil plays on June 11th.
• The opening ceremony is on Sunday.

Understanding AT

We use AT for specific times.

Examples

The lesson starts at 7:00 p.m.

(A aula começa às 19h.)

The game begins at 9:00 p.m.

(O jogo começa às 21h.)

More examples:

• The match starts at 8 p.m.
• The players arrive at 6:30 p.m.
• The ceremony begins at noon.

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How to Use IN, ON, and AT with the World Cup Schedule

Let’s use a World Cup schedule to see how these prepositions work together.

Example

Brazil vs Japan is on June 11th, in Toronto, in Canada, at 8:00 p.m.

Notice how we use:

• ON + date
• IN + city
• IN + country
• AT + time

This pattern works for all World Cup matches.

Practice Section: Complete the Sentences

Knowledge Pill: Talking About Future Schedules

Learn more:

• Will vs Going To
• Simple Present
• Days of the week
• FIFA World Cup Vocabulary

These grammar structures are very common in sports news, travel schedules, and event calendars.

Answer the Questions – Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the Blanks

Match the Information (Drag and Drop)

Speaking Practice

Work with a partner and answer the questions.

1. Which World Cup match would you most like to watch?
2. What matches are on your birthday?
3. What games are in your favorite city?
4. What match starts at the best time for you?
5. Which country will win the World Cup?
6. Would you like to watch a match in Canada, Mexico, or the USA? Why?
7. What is your favorite national team?
8. Have you ever watched a World Cup match live?

Writing Practice

Write five sentences using IN, ON, and AT.

Example: Brazil will play in Toronto on June 11th at 8:00 p.m.

Write your own sentences:

1. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________________________________

Challenge

Write three more sentences about your favorite team using:

• IN + city/country
• ON + date/day
• AT + time

Teacher Notes

Suggested Level

A1–A2

Grammar Focus

Prepositions of Time and Place:

• IN
• ON
• AT

Skills Practiced

• Reading
• Grammar
• Speaking
• Writing
• Critical Thinking

Classroom Use

This lesson can be used for:

• Online lessons
• Private classes
• Conversation classes
• ESL group classes
• Homework assignments
• Sports-themed lessons
• FIFA World Cup projects

Estimated Lesson Time

45–60 minutes

Extension Activity

Ask students to create their own World Cup schedule and write sentences using:

• IN
• ON
• AT

Students can then exchange schedules and ask questions using:

• When…?
• Where…?
• What time…?

Teacher Resource Available!
Want a printable version of this lesson? Download our free PDF workbook designed for ESL teachers and students. It includes grammar explanations, practice activities, speaking tasks, writing exercises, and an answer key ready for classroom use or homework assignments.

Download here the free PDF.

Perfect for A1–A2 learners, conversation classes, online lessons, and World Cup-themed English activities.

Conclusion

Congratulations!

You have learned how to use three of the most important English prepositions:

• IN → cities, countries, months, years
• ON → days and dates
• AT → specific times

Using a real FIFA World Cup schedule makes grammar more meaningful and easier to remember. By connecting English to authentic events, you can see how these prepositions are used in everyday communication.

Keep practicing by reading sports schedules, travel itineraries, and event calendars in English.

Your Turn!

Which World Cup match would you most like to watch?

Write your answer in the comments using IN, ON, and AT.

Example:

I would like to watch Brazil vs England in Toronto on June 25th at 8:00 p.m.

FAQs