Using the correct preposition with “weekend” doesn’t have to be a challenge. Once you know which one works where you’ll have a much easier time using them, this article will explore proper preposition usage for “at,” “on,” and “in the weekend.”
Is It “At The Weekend,” “On The Weekend,” Or “In The Weekend”?
You should use “at the weekend” when writing in British English. You should use “on the weekend” when writing in American English. “In the weekend” is rarely used by either language, and you shouldn’t use it. All of them mean that something happened on a Saturday or Sunday.
Is “At The Weekend,” “On The Weekend,” Or “In The Weekend” Used The Most?
Of the three, it might help you to see which one is the most popular. From there, you’ll have an easier time understanding what we’re talking about.
According to this graph, “on the weekend” is the most popular. That’s because the results from American English skew the graph since there are more American English users than British English users. “At the weekend” is still fairly popular, though.
“In the weekend” is hardly used, and you can see that in the graph. It’s best to avoid using this preposition for that reason.
Are “At The Weekend,” “On The Weekend,” And “In The Weekend” Used Differently In American English And British English?
According to this graph showing American English usage, “on the weekend” is by far the most popular choice. “At the weekend” isn’t used nearly as much as it was in the overall graph, and “in the weekend” isn’t used at all.
To contrast that, this graph shows British English usage. “At the weekend” is the most common choice here, while “on the weekend” is used very infrequently and “in the weekend” is never used.
“On the weekend” is used mostly in American English. “At the weekend” is used mostly in British English.
Both phrases mean that something occurred in the duration of a weekend (Saturday and Sunday). They are synonymous; they are just used in different languages.
If I Am Not From The UK Or The US, Should I Use “At The Weekend,” “On The Weekend,” Or “In The Weekend”?
If you’re not from the UK or the US, you might be worried about which form works best for you. Don’t worry, as there’s a simple answer.
Most non-English-speaking countries learn British English, meaning that “at the weekend” is the most appropriate choice if you’re learning English from elsewhere. “On the weekend” works well if you’re specifically learning to communicate with American English users.
The choice is yours for the most part. Many people prefer learning British English because it follows the original rules, making it slightly easier to comprehend. However, American English is become much more prevalent in the world, making it hard to avoid.
Many native speakers will recognize both forms. American English speakers won’t mind if you use “at the weekend,” and British English speakers won’t mind if you use “on the weekend.” Just because one is more common than the other doesn’t mean they’re not both used.
Examples Of How To Use “At The Weekend” In A Sentence
Let’s go over some examples of using all of the prepositions, so you understand more about them. We’ll start with the British English variation, “at the weekend.”
- We met each other at the weekend.
- We saw each other at the weekend, and it was delightful.
- He will be here at the weekend if you’re interested.
- You should go there at the weekend; I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.
- Would you like to visit at the weekend?
- We should go at the weekend!
- Let’s visit him again at the weekend.
“At the weekend” is the British English way to say that something occurs during the weekend (Saturday and Sunday, while work isn’t on).
Examples Of How To Use “On The Weekend” In A Sentence
“On the weekend” is synonymous with “at the weekend,” but it’s much more common in American English. The examples will be very similar, but it’ll help you to distinguish them.
- We’d like to visit on the weekend if you’re free.
- You should come down on the weekend; he’d love to see you.
- We’re going there on the weekend!
- Let’s go on the weekend! We won’t get another chance.
- He’s here on the weekend, so I’ll ask him then.
- Are you around on the weekend? I need a babysitter.
- Let’s do this on the weekend, so we have plenty of time for it.
“On the weekend” means that something occurs during the weekend, much like “at the weekend.” It’s the American English way of saying it.
Examples Of How To Use “In The Weekend” In A Sentence
“In the weekend” is rarely used, making it difficult to come up with valid examples. You should try not to use this preposition, as it will only cause confusion when you’re talking to native speakers.
“In the weekend” is an incorrect preposition. You should not use it, and there are no useful examples we can give you.
When Should I Use “Over The Weekend” And “During The Weekend”?
Finally, let’s look at some other words we can use with “the weekend,” namely, “over” and “during.”
You should use “over the weekend” when something happens over the course of a weekend (specifically spanning the two days). You should use “during the weekend” for the same reason, but it’s much less common.
According to this graph, “over the weekend” is the most common phrase of the group. We use it more than we use “on the weekend,” which says a lot because that was the previous most popular choice covered in this article.
The American English graph matches the statistics above, showing that “over the weekend” is still the most popular choice. “During the weekend” is used less than “at the weekend,” which shows that it’s rare for it to work.
The British English graph still uses “at the weekend” more than any other variation, though “over the weekend” is the next most popular choice. Again, “during the weekend” is almost as unpopular as “in the weekend,” showing it’s rarely (if ever) used.
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