Time(weekend, weekday, dusk, sunset...)

Question

May I know which of these should I use in the following scenarios?

(at/in/on/during)

I like to go for a walk (in/on/at/during) the weekends.

(What are the differences between during and in,on? Some examples of usage would be nice.)

Scenario 2:

I like to go for a walk in the evening (evenings, help?) I like to go for a walk during the evening.

Differences?

Scenario 3:

I always wake up (at/in/on) dusk.(dusks?)

Scenario 4:

We returned home (at/during/on/in) sunset.

Scenario 5:

Every day, I jog in the park (at/on/in) sunset with my friend. (Since every day is used, can I not use sunsets?)

Random: (might as well throw it in)

It is the thought that counts.

It is what they want that matters.

It is the thing (that needed here?) they want that matters.

Question: It is the things they want that matters. (Why is is used after things?)

Michael321 · Accepted Answer

1) "I like to go for walks at the weekend"

"I like to go for walks during the weekend"

"I would like to go for a walk at the weekend."

"During the weekend, I want to go for a walk."

In this context, "during" and "at" can both be used, but not "on" or "in". Apparently Americans say "on the weekend", but UK English uses "at". Never "in".

2) "I like to go for a walk in the evening."

"I go out for a walk most evenings."

3) "I always wake up at dusk" (seems a bit strange though - dawn would be a more natural time to wake).

Dawn and dusk generally take "at", because they are specific times. E.g "at dawn", "at dusk", "at one o'clock", "at midday".

4) "We returned home at sunset". "Sunset" itself refers, like "dawn" and "dusk", to a specific time. If you wanted to refer to something happening over a period of time at sunset, you could say "as the sun was setting", e.g. "We ate dinner as the sun was setting/as the sun set". As a general rule, just use "at sunset".

5) As above, use "at sunset". Don't use the plural "sunsets".

Random:

1) "That" is optional in that context. A more natural third sentence would be "it's what they want that matters".

2) In the last sentence, "matters" should be 3rd person plural - i.e. "it is the things they want that matter", but the sentence above would still be more natural.

3) Don't understand your question about "is".

Michael321 · Answer

In general, "at" refers to a specific time.

"In" refers to a long period of time, e.g. a month, year etc.

"On" refers to a specific date, e.g. "on September 12th" or "on the first day of the month".

"During" refers to something ongoing within a time period, e.g. "during my time at university", "during the weekend". "During" is followed by a noun specifying a period of time.

You don't generally need to pluralise "weekend" unless you are referring to specific weekends (e.g. "all the weekends from now until August"). You can say, for instance, "at the weekend, I tend to relax and go out for dinner with friends".

Michaelting · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

I would like to confirm

a) Are there any notable differences between at the weekend and during the weekend

b) It is the things they want that matter(not matters). (Is this the correct way to express it?)

about random 3) I asked my teacher at school and he gave me that sentence. So yeah, it's just out of curiousity.

Time(weekend, weekday, dusk, sunset...)

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