In the Week or On the Week: Which Preposition is Correct?

Author:

Waqas Ashraf

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In the Week or On the Week: Are you often confused about whether to use “in” or “on” when referring to a specific week?

The prepositions “in” and “on” can sometimes be tricky to differentiate, especially when talking about time.

In this article, we will clarify the correct usage of these prepositions in relation to weeks so that you can confidently choose between them in your writing.

Table of Contents

In the Week or On the Week:

While both “in the week” and “on the week” can technically be used under specific circumstances, “in the week” is generally considered the more natural and accepted choice when referring to a period within a specific week.

Here’s a breakdown of their usage:

“In the week”:

This is the preferred and more common option when talking about events or actions occurring at some point within a specific week.

It suggests a period of time within the week and is often used with phrases like:

“This happened in the week before last.”
“I’ll be available to meet in the week of the 10th.”

“We usually have a team meeting in the week.”
“She had several deadlines in the week.”

“On the week”:

This is less common and can be considered slightly awkward in most situations.

It might be used occasionally on the weekend specifically, but even then, it’s not the most natural choice:

“What are you doing on the weekend?”
“I might see you on the week.”

On the Week of The 12th:

The phrase “on the week of the 12th” is a bit ambiguous and can be interpreted in two ways:

During the week that includes the 12th: This is the more likely interpretation and means the entire seven-day period encompassing the 12th. This includes the days before, on, and after the 12th.
Sometime during the week, specifically relating to the 12th: This interpretation is less common but still possible. It suggests an activity or event happening on or around the 12th, without necessarily encompassing the entire week.

“The week of the 12th“: This clarifies that you’re referring to the entire seven-day period.
“On the 12th“: This specifies the exact date if the event happens on that specific day.
“Around the 12th“: This indicates the event might occur on the 12th or a few days before or after.

Do We Use in Or on For Weeks?

When referring to periods within a specific week, we generally use “in the week”. Here’s why:

“In” is used with longer periods of time, including months, years, seasons, and weeks. It indicates a point within that period.

“On” is typically used for:

Specific days of the week
Special days or dates Points in time

Examples:

“The meeting will be held in the week of the 15th.”
“She received the package in the week before last.”
“He often travels in the week, leaving on Sundays and returning on Fridays.”

Is It on Week One or In Week One?

While both “on week one” and “in week one” might be technically understood, “in week one” is the generally preferred and more natural way to express this concept.

Here’s why:

Preposition usage:

“In” is typically used for longer periods of time, including weeks, months, years, and seasons. It indicates a point within that period.

“On” is typically used with:

Specific days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, etc.

Special days or dates: Christmas, birthday, etc.
Points in time: on arrival, on time, etc.

What Is the Meaning of In the Week?

The phrase “in the week” means during a specific seven-day period or at some point within a particular week. It emphasizes that something happens within the timeframe of that week, not necessarily on a specific day within it.

Here’s a breakdown of its meaning:

Key Points:

Timeframe: Refers to a seven-day period.

Specificity: Doesn’t pinpoint an exact day within the week.

Examples:

“The package will arrive in the week of the 10th.”

“I will be available to meet in the week after next.”

How Do You Use Week in A Sentence?

Here are some examples of how to use the word “week” in a sentence:

We have a team meeting every week on Wednesdays.

She hasn’t been feeling well all week.
The baby is now six weeks old.
He finishes his grocery shopping once a week.

We are expecting the shipment this week.
The deadline for the project is next week.
I saw her last week at the library.

Usage in American English

In American English, the preposition “in” is commonly used when referring to a specific week.
“The project will be completed in the first week of January.”
“Let’s schedule a meeting in the third week of the month.”

“Our team meeting is on Wednesday next week.”
“I have an important presentation on Friday this week.”

Do You Say in The Weekend or On the Weekend?

Both “in the weekend” and “on the weekend” can be used to refer to the period of Saturday and Sunday, but there are some nuances and regional variations to consider:

Preferred Usage:

“On the weekend” is generally considered the more natural and widely accepted expression in most English dialects. This is especially true in American English.
“At the weekend” is also commonly used in British English and is considered grammatically correct, but less common in other regions.

Here are some examples: