Representing when, where, how and why
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Representing when | page 4 of 11 |
Using prepositional phrases: on
On is used for periods of time. In the following example, on refers to a date:
We shall be moving in on the 11th of April. (Bank of English)
In the examples below, on is used to mention the day when something happens:
A total of 1,385 people were interviewed on Wednesday and Thursday. (SCMP 10/10/92)
On that day, the lift plunged to the ground killing 12 men. (SCMP 22/4/94)
In the first place my heart bleeds for footballers that have to work on Christmas Day. (Bank of English)
She was on duty on her birthday. (Bank of English)
Vietnamese asylum-seekers are threatening to set themselves alight on the anniversary of the fall of Saigon on April 30. (SCMP 21/4/94)
On is also used with morning, afternoon, evening and night when these words are modified in some way:
They depart on Monday morning for the Philippines. (SCMP 5/6/92)
The immediate cause of the landslide was the high intensity and sequence of rainfall on the afternoon of May 8. (SCMP 10/9/92)
We will feel much more tired than on the previous evening.
(Microconcord Corpus B)On the night before his death, a sum of $9,400 had been withdrawn from his account with his Moneylink card, while he was at home. (SCMP 22/9/92)
On is sometimes omitted before days of the week:
See you Sunday.
Introduction
Using prepositional phrases: on
