Both at the weekend and on the weekend are correct. The choice mostly depends on which type of English you’re using.
At the weekend is common in British English. On the weekend is much more common in American English.
For a US audience, on the weekend will usually sound more natural.
At the Weekend or On the Weekend?
The two expressions usually mean the same thing. They refer to the weekend as a time when something happens.
The difference is mainly a matter of regional English.
| Expression | Common in |
|---|---|
| at the weekend | British English |
| on the weekend | American English |
| at weekends | British English |
| on weekends | American English |
For example, a British speaker might say:
I usually visit my family at the weekend.
An American speaker would more likely say:
I usually visit my family on the weekend.
Neither sentence is wrong.
Is “At the Weekend” Correct?
Yes. At the weekend is a standard expression in British English.
You might hear or read sentences like:
What are you doing at the weekend?
We went to the coast at the weekend.
She usually stays home at the weekend.
I like catching up with friends at the weekend.
If you’re reading British English, this expression is very common.
It may sound unusual to some American readers simply because on the weekend is the form they hear more often.
Is “On the Weekend” Correct?
Yes. On the weekend is also correct.
It is especially common in American English.
For example:
What are you doing on the weekend?
We went hiking on the weekend.
I usually do my grocery shopping on the weekend.
Are you free on the weekend?
She is visiting her parents on the weekend.
If you’re writing for people in the United States, on the weekend is generally the more natural choice.
American English: On the Weekend
American English usually uses on with the weekend.
For example:
I’ll call you on the weekend.
We have a family dinner on the weekend.
He works on the weekend sometimes.
You will also commonly see on weekends when talking about a regular habit.
I play basketball on weekends.
We usually go out on weekends.
Here, on the weekend can refer to a particular weekend, while on weekends often describes something that happens regularly.
British English: At the Weekend
British English commonly uses at the weekend.
For example:
I’ll call you at the weekend.
We went shopping at the weekend.
What are you doing at the weekend?
When talking about weekends generally, British English also commonly uses at weekends.
I usually visit my grandparents at weekends.
The shop gets busy at weekends.
An American speaker would normally use on weekends in these sentences.
At Weekends or On Weekends?
Both forms are used, but they follow the same British-American pattern.
British English:
I often go running at weekends.
American English:
I often go running on weekends.
Both sentences describe a regular activity.
The singular versions can also refer to a particular weekend:
I’m going to see Sarah at the weekend.
I’m going to see Sarah on the weekend.
The meaning stays essentially the same. The preposition changes with the variety of English.
What About “This Weekend”?
With this weekend, you normally don’t need at or on.
Say:
I’m staying home this weekend.
We’re going to the beach this weekend.
What are you doing this weekend?
Avoid:
I’m staying home on this weekend.
The same applies to last weekend and next weekend:
We visited them last weekend.
We’re traveling next weekend.
You don’t need to add at or on before these expressions.
Examples in Everyday English
Here are some natural examples showing how the expressions work:
- American English: I usually sleep late on weekends.
- British English: I usually sleep late at weekends.
- American English: We’re having friends over on the weekend.
- British English: We’re having friends over at the weekend.
- American English: Are you working on the weekend?
- British English: Are you working at the weekend?
- Both varieties: We’re going away this weekend.
These sentences show why you may see both forms when reading English from different countries.
Common Mistakes
Treating “At the Weekend” as Wrong
Some American English speakers may find at the weekend unusual, but that doesn’t make it incorrect. It’s a normal British English expression.
Using “On” Before “This Weekend”
You usually don’t say:
I’ll see you on this weekend.
Say:
I’ll see you this weekend.
Mixing Regional Forms Without Realizing It
There’s nothing wrong with knowing both forms. But if you’re writing consistently in American English, on the weekend and on weekends will usually fit better.
If you’re writing in British English, at the weekend and at weekends are natural choices.
Which Is Correct: At or On the Weekend?
Both are correct.
If you’re using American English, choose on the weekend.
If you’re using British English, at the weekend is the usual choice.
For weekends in general, American English commonly uses on weekends, while British English commonly uses at weekends.
The difference isn’t about one expression being right and the other being wrong. It’s mainly a difference in regional usage.
The Bottom Line
If you’re writing American English, on the weekend is the expression you’ll usually want.
If you’re writing British English, at the weekend is the more common choice.
Both are correct, so there’s no need to treat one as a grammar mistake. The same pattern applies to on weekends in American English and at weekends in British English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “at the weekend” grammatically correct?
Yes. It’s a standard expression, particularly in British English.
Is “on the weekend” American English?
Yes. On the weekend is very common in American English.
Should I use “at weekends” or “on weekends”?
Use at weekends in British English and on weekends in American English when you’re talking about weekends in general.
Can I say “this weekend” without a preposition?
Yes. This weekend is natural in both American and British English.
For example: “I’m visiting my brother this weekend.”
Is “at the weekend” used in America?
You may encounter it, but on the weekend is the more usual choice in American English.