Do British People Really Say “At the Weekend”? A Deep Dive into UK vs US English
Jun, 24 2025
Ever heard someone say, “What are you doing at the weekend?” and wondered if they misspoke? If you’ve watched enough British TV shows or visited the UK, you might've noticed this little phrase British people drop that leaves North Americans scratching their heads. “At the weekend” just sounds different if you grew up in Canada or the US, where “on the weekend” is the only way to go. But yes—Brits really do say it, and there’s a solid reason behind it. This tiny prepositional difference packs way more cultural history, style, and even a sense of identity than you'd expect.
Where “At the Weekend” Comes From, and Why Brits Use It
So why do British folks say “at the weekend,” and North Americans “on the weekend”? This isn’t a random fluke. British English favors “at” because historically, it sounds more natural to them for specific time periods—imagine “at night” or “at Christmas.” That pattern just ended up sticking around for “the weekend.” If you look at classic British literature or listen to radio hosts from the BBC, you’ll hear it everywhere. Even UK grammar guides continue to recommend “at the weekend” as the standard. This way of using “at” goes back to the late 19th century, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, though you’ll sometimes catch even British writers using “on the weekend” after American influence from movies and the web.
But let me clarify something: “at the weekend” isn’t just common, it's a staple. A quick glance at a 2022 British National Corpus survey found “at the weekend” appeared more than 6,000 times in contemporary sources, while “on the weekend” barely registered. That’s a huge difference for such a tiny preposition. You'll probably get some odd looks if you say “on the weekend” around London or Manchester. Even highly educated Brits—doctors, teachers, newsreaders—stick with “at.”
And there’s zero confusion about the meaning, either. When someone in the UK says, "What are your plans at the weekend?" they mean the whole Saturday-Sunday window, not some specific time or event. It’s just their way of referencing the break at the end of the week. Americans, on the other hand, prefer “on the weekend,” and would say, “I’ll call you on the weekend” or “let’s meet on the weekend.” Swapping those prepositions is a dead giveaway of where you learned your English.
It's worth mentioning that in Ireland, people often use "at the weekend" too, probably because of centuries of shared linguistic cross-pollination with Britain. But head down to New Zealand or Australia and you'll hear “on the weekend” more commonly—American pop culture and emigration have their fingerprints all over global English.
If you want to sound British, just swap out “on” for “at” next time you mention the weekend. It’s the quickest way to blend in, short of picking up an accent or saying “cheers” instead of “thanks.”
How “At the Weekend” Holds Up Against Other Britishisms
This isn’t the only quirky phrase you’ll stumble across in British English. “At the weekend” sits next to dozens of expressions that Americans would never use. Imagine ordering “chips” at a UK pub and getting fries, not potato chips. Or heading for a “lorry,” not a truck. The list is as long as a British train delay. And most phrases aren’t changing anytime soon because they help set identity apart, almost subconsciously.
So where does “at the weekend” fit in? Consider it part of a broader British pattern for naming times and events. Brits will also say “at the bank holiday,” “at Easter,” “at Christmas,” and sometimes even “at lunchtime.” Americans, meanwhile, would be more likely to use “on Christmas,” “at lunch,” or “during the holiday.” If you compare grammar guides from both countries, each claims their prepositions make more sense. But it all comes down to what you heard growing up.
Here’s a quick table that shows a few more famous UK/US differences, to keep you out of linguistic trouble on either side of the pond:
| British English | North American English |
|---|---|
| at the weekend | on the weekend |
| at hospital | in the hospital |
| in a team | on a team |
| take a decision | make a decision |
| call round | drop by |
Notice how small differences snowball into a very distinctive style? One or two swapped words and you sound local—or like you just got off the plane.
Here's a fun quote from linguist David Crystal, who wrote plenty about these quirks in his famous books:
"The ways we talk about time show how we carve up the world into familiar chunks. British prepositions are just as much about cultural feel as they are about grammar."Which means you're not just learning rules—you're learning to fit into a way of seeing time, events, and places familiar to millions.
Tips for Travelers, Expats, and English Learners
If you’re planning a visit to the UK, or about to work alongside some British colleagues, mixing up “at the weekend” and “on the weekend” can be an instant marker that you’re not local. That’s no disaster, but sometimes matching your phrasing makes you sound more polished and aware. It might even make chats go smoother when you’re ordering in a café or sharing plans with new friends.
So what’s the best way to practice? Start by noticing the phrases you use every day. Record yourself, or just jot your go-to sentences on your phone notes. Each time you catch yourself saying “on the weekend,” swap it for “at the weekend”—even if it feels strange at first. Your mouth gets used to the new pattern surprisingly fast, especially when you hear it often.
If you’re living in the UK for work or study, you’ll catch a bunch of other helpful phrases. Brits also say things like “at half eight” for 8:30, “at uni” for at university, and “at the cinema” (instead of “at the movies”). You’ll pick these up naturally if you have a habit of listening carefully and imitating.
If you’re an English learner, don’t stress if you slip up—no one will judge you harshly for it. But including these small details can help you blend in and even make friends. Teachers in the UK will usually point out “at the weekend” early in classes, and some examiners for things like the Cambridge English test will look out for the right usage as a sign you’re comfortable with British idioms.
And here’s another tip: movies and books are a goldmine. If you binge-watch British comedies—think “Fleabag” or “The Inbetweeners”—you’ll notice the rhythm. Reading British fiction helps cement what your ears are picking up. Go for novels by Nick Hornby or Zadie Smith. If you want a more structured approach, check British English textbooks or online videos made for UK learners. There are even apps that train you by region, so you can swap “on the weekend” for “at the weekend” without thinking.
How British and North American English Keep Evolving
Language isn’t frozen. Thanks to social media, streaming, and more cross-cultural friendships, these differences are getting blurred. More young Brits are exposed to American slang and might say “on the weekend” for fun, especially if they’re huge fans of U.S. shows. Flip that, and North Americans sometimes mimic “at the weekend” in tweets to sound tongue-in-cheek or sophisticated. The boundaries are less rigid than even five years ago, but tradition sticks hard.
This doesn’t mean British English is fading, though. According to a 2024 Cambridge survey, more than 87% of UK adults prefer “at the weekend,” even in places like Scotland or Wales where you get some hybrid forms. The British media—newspapers, TV, even social media influencers—use “at the weekend” as a signature move. In schools, teachers keep drilling it, so kids learn to take pride in these local quirks. British phrasebooks and visitor guides also include “at the weekend” in their lists for travelers, alongside “queue up” (stand in line) and “brilliant” (great).
One interesting thing: big global brands often localize their ads and websites, swapping out American phrasing for UK-preferred forms. If you’re on the UK version of Netflix, don’t be surprised if you spot a promo like “Binge this at the weekend!” instead of “Binge this on the weekend!” It pays to check which country you’re messaging, especially if you’re working in international marketing or customer support.
If you ever need quick proof which version to use, just fire up Google News, set the location to “UK,” and try searching for “at the weekend” vs. “on the weekend.” It’s always a landslide for “at.” Next time you’re chatting with someone from Brighton or Birmingham, throw in “at the weekend” and see them light up with recognition.
So if you want to sound local, adapt that preposition. English is all about these little tweaks—it’s what separates a fluent speaker from a real insider. Quirks like “at the weekend” aren’t going anywhere, and they’re the first step to feeling at home in another culture.