ESL Exercise: Common Expression 7

Megan will start her new job ____  December 10^th.

A.     A.  in

B.     B.  to

C.     C.  at

D.     D. on

Scroll down for the correct answer

Choice D is the correct answer.

Megan will start her new job on December 10^th.

It’s a waste of time to try to rationalize why choice D is the correct answer. For fluent English speakers, we just immediately know the correct one because we’ve heard it a million times. We don't pause for two minutes trying to rationalize why we choose the words “on December 10th" or why we choose the preposition “on” before the date in such a case. The best way for you to learn this is to see or hear it a million times.  Okay, maybe not that many times.  Here are some examples of sentences using “on December 10th”, or using the preposition “on” before a date.

“On April 20, Vanderbilt sent an email to announce that Festus Ezeli, John Jenkins, and Jeffrey Taylor would be back in school…”  (Athlon Sports)  http://www.athlonsports.com/college-basketball/vanderbilt-commodores-2011-college-basketball-preview

“Miami’s last win also took place at the Meadowlands in upset fashion, an ugly 10-6 decision over the rival New York Jets on December 12 of last season.”    (Scott Garbarini, Sports Network) http://www.kansascity.com/2011/10/27/3232018/nfl-preview-miami-0-6-at-ny-giants.html

“On August 24, 2011, the company also purchased from the U.S. Treasury the 10-year warrant, issued on December 19, 2008…”  (Market Watch)

 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/first-california-continues-earnings-momentum-with-2011-third-quarter-net-income-of-25-million-2011-10-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

“It was way back on September 16 that people started searching for OWS.”  (Celeste Katz, Daily News)  http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2011/10/occupy-wall-street-v-tea-party-the-metrics

“On September 30, 2011, the Company was in the process of drilling seven gross operated wells and had 21 gross operated wells waiting on completion in the Bakken and Three Forks formations.”  (Market Watch)   http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oasis-petroleum-inc-provides-preliminary-third-quarter-2011-results-and-an-update-to-financial-guidance-2011-10-27

“Participating players will be invited to a special Welcome Party on December 9^th.”  (Titanpoker.com) 

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/10/27/4011012/titan-poker-launches-1000000-ipops.html

Needless to say, you may also use “on” for any dates:

-          on June 3

-          on April 15

-          on July 4, 2011

-          on November 1, 1928

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Keywords:  TOEFL, ESL exercises, English, grammar, phrase, common expression, CUNY, Kingsborough, Hunter, Baruch, CCNY, Queensborough, Brooklyn College, BMCC