in/at/on ?

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ESL forum > Message board > in/at/on ?

in/at/on ?

in/at/on ?

Dear Colleagues,

I have a question concerning the following sentences:

It happened in a cold winter night.

It happened at a cold winter night.

Which one is correct?

Someone even suggested a 3rd solution: "on a cold winter night"

I now that we say "in winter" and "at night" but what about "winter night".

I guess that the first sentence is the correct one, because the word "winter" is closer to the preposition. Am I right?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Adryenn

14 Mar 2010

Kate (kkcat)

I am not sure in is correct, because the focus of the sentence is NIGHT not winter...
I would say ON...But wait for other opinions because I can �t find any logical explanation right now lol
EDIT: I remembered now! When we talk about specific morning, day or night ON is used...

14 Mar 2010

libertybelle

None of them are correct.

It happened on a cold winter night or cold winter �s night.

14 Mar 2010

blunderbuster

I second liberty.

14 Mar 2010

Liberty is right.

14 Mar 2010

Maria Isabel

I also agree with liberty..I would say "on" is the best choice.

14 Mar 2010

adital

when we talk about specific days/dates we �ll use on,

even though in this case it �s not day time, it �s still a specific date.

just as we �ll say:

on Sunday

on new years eve.

on my birthday etc �

so I also agree with libertybelle and co.

14 Mar 2010