Question

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word:
I'm meeting Alan_______this evening.

a)at
b)in
c)on
d)no preposition

Answer 1

Hint: Prepositions are used to link a noun or a pronoun with another word or element used in a sentence. They are used to indicate a place, time, or relationship depending upon the link between the two words.

Complete step by step solution:

Prepositions usually precede a noun phrase or a noun. We observe that in the given sentence, the blank is followed by ‘this evening’ which is a noun phrase and indicates time. It is to be understood that the given noun phrase is complete in itself and means the evening of the very same day. The construction of the noun phrase is such that it does not require any preposition to establish a link with the verb of the sentence, in order to convey the time.
A preposition is used when the noun phrase is not explanatory enough to form a link with another word or the verb of the sentence on its own. For example, I am meeting Alan at 4 o'clock. We observe that without the preposition ‘at’ the noun, “4 o’clock” is not able to form a link with the verb of the sentence. Is a preposition used to indicate a specific period of time?
Similarly, with other prepositions of time such as ‘in’ and ‘on’, one can only use them when the noun phrase is unable to form a link on its own with the verb of the sentence.
‘On’ is usually used to indicate a day or a date.
For example, I am meeting Alan on Thursday.
‘In’ is usually used to indicate a time period wider than a day.
For example, I am meeting Alan in the summer.
We observe that these prepositions of time are used to link the noun with the verb of the sentence.
Therefore, after having understood where to use and not use the prepositions, we can conclude that option ‘e’ - no preposition is the correct answer.

Note: It is to be noted that one must be able to understand the construction and the meaning of the sentence, to be able to understand where to use or not to use a preposition. One must also be familiar with the various types of prepositions and their use.