Daily routines: telling the time and using prepositions

A2
90 min
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1

Think about these questions before reading. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What time do you usually wake up, and what is the first thing you do?
  2. What is your favorite time of day? Why?
  3. How is your weekend routine different from your weekday routine?
2

Making Plans for Saturday

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Listen to the dialogue again and answer the questions in your own words.

01What are Emma and Marco planning to do on Saturday?
Sample answerThey are planning to see a new movie.
02Why is 7 PM not a good time for Marco?
Sample answerIt's too early for him because he needs time to get ready after work.
03What time do they agree to meet?
Sample answerThey agree to meet around 8 PM.
04Is Marco free all day on Saturday?
Sample answerNo, he works in the morning but is free in the afternoon.
4

Key vocabulary for daily routines

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you talk about your day and make plans more naturally.
Examples
Get ready — to prepare yourself to go out, for example, by washing and putting on clothes.
We often use this to talk about the morning routine. For example, 'I get ready for work every morning.'
Take a break — to stop an activity for a short time to rest.
This is common at work or school. You can say 'take a coffee break' or 'take a lunch break'.
Around [time] — used to talk about a time that is not exact, but close to it.
This is useful for making plans when you are not sure of the exact time. For example, 'I'll finish work around 6 PM.'
How about...? — a friendly question used to make a suggestion.
Use this to suggest a time or an activity. For example, 'How about we meet on Saturday?'
In a hurry — doing something quickly because you do not have much time.
You can say 'I'm in a hurry' when you need to go somewhere fast. For example, 'Sorry, I can't talk now, I'm in a hurry!'
5

Vocabulary for daily plans

Learn some new words to talk about your daily routine and making plans.

Match the words on the left with their meanings on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: Prepositions of time: at, in, on

Grammar
We use prepositions like 'at', 'in', and 'on' to say when something happens. They are very important for talking about daily routines, schedules, and making plans.
Examples
I start work at 9 o'clock.
Use 'at' for specific times on the clock.
My English class is on Tuesday.
Use 'on' for days of the week and specific dates.
She likes to read in the evening.
Use 'in' for longer periods like parts of the day, months, and years.
Key points
  • Use 'at' for clock times (at 5 PM, at midnight, at lunchtime).
  • Use 'on' for days and dates (on Monday, on my birthday, on October 31st).
  • Use 'in' for parts of the day, months, seasons, and years (in the morning, in August, in summer, in 2025).
  • A common mistake is saying 'in the night'. Always say 'at night'.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01I need ten more minutes to get before we leave for the party.
02I'm tired. Let's take a short from studying.
03I usually finish work 6 PM, but sometimes I stay longer.
04Sorry, I can't talk now. I'm in a to catch my train.
05How meeting for coffee tomorrow morning?
8

Choose the best answer for each question.

01I always ___ a shower in the morning before I go to work.
02The meeting is ___ Friday ___ 10 AM.
03Your friend asks: 'What time should we meet?' What is a good reply?
04Which of these is NOT a typical evening activity?
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. Is it better to have a busy day or a relaxed day? Why? Do you like to be in a hurry?
  2. In your country, when do people usually take a break at work? Is it a long break or a short break?
  3. Think about your perfect day off. What is your routine? Do you like to make a plan, or do you like to be spontaneous?