These are correct: 123456In October On the 17th In 2008 On October 17th On October 17th, 2008 In October 2008

Prepositions of Time: at, in, on

We use:

At

at for a PRECISE TIME in for MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS on for DAYS and DATES

In MONTHS, YEARS, CENTURIES and LONG PERIODS in May in summer in the summer in 1990 in the 1990s in the next century in the Ice Age in the past/future

on DAYS and DATES on Sunday on Tuesdays on 6 March on 25 Dec. 2010 on Christmas Day on Independence Day on my birthday on New Year's Eve

PRECISE TIME at 3 o'clock at 10.30am at noon at dinnertime at bedtime at sunrise at sunset at the moment

Look at these examples:

I have a meeting at 9am. The shop closes at midnight. Jane went home at lunchtime. In England, it often snows in December. Do you think we will go to Jupiter in the future? There should be a lot of progress in the next century. Do you work on Mondays? Her birthday is on 20 November. Where will you be on New Year's Day?

Notice the use of the preposition of time at in the following standard expressions:

Expression at night

Example The stars shine at night.

at the weekend at Christmas/Easter at the same time at present

I don't usually work at the weekend. I stay with my family at Christmas. We finished the test at the same time. He's not home at present. Try later.

Notice the use of the prepositions of time in and on in these common expressions:

In in the morning in the mornings in the afternoon(s) in the evening(s)

on on Tuesday morning on Saturday mornings on Sunday afternoons on Monday evening

When we say last, next, every, this we do not also use at, in, on.

I went to London last June. (not in last June) He's coming back next Tuesday. (not on next Tuesday) I go home every Easter. (not at every Easter) We'll call you this evening. (not in this evening)

Prepositions of time
Preposition Use in months year in seasons part of the day duration part of the day at time of day celebrations fixed phrases days of the week date on special holidays a special part of a day after ago before between by during for from ... to later than sth. how far sth. happened (in the past) earlier than sth. time that separates two points not later than a special time Examples in July; in September in 1985; in 1999 in summer; in the summer of 69 in the morning; in the afternoon; in the evening in a minute; in two weeks at night at 6 o'clock; at midnight at Christmas; at Easter at the same time on Sunday; on Friday on the 25th of December* on Good Friday; on Easter Sunday; on my birthday on the morning of September the 11th* after school 6 years ago before Christmas between Monday and Friday by Thursday

through the whole of a period of time during the holidays period of time two points form a period for three weeks from Monday to Wednesday

from... till/until past since till/until to up to within time of the day point of time no later than a special time time of the day not more than a special time during a period of time

from Monday till Wednesday from Monday until Wednesday 23 minutes past 6 (6:23) since Monday till tomorrow until tomorrow 23 minutes to 6 (5:37) up to 6 hours a day within a day

* The words in italic are only spoken, not written (date).