In the weekend

Because this fascinates me, on and after the weekend, I pondered why “at” and “on” are both used ahead of a weekend. And afterwards, as well, it seems.

The former is used by the less self-effacing users of British English and the latter is used in America and Australia (with little pockets of try-hard “at” users).

The Cambridge Dictionary recognizes “at weekends” but not “at the weekends.” Fussy, fussy.

The reason for the use of “on” as opposed to “at” is related to the length of time of the subject. For example, we might say “what are we doing “on” Friday?” and “what are you doing “at” 5:00pm? “

Apparently if the subject is longer than one day some English speakers will depart for “on”. Others stay marooned at “at” primarily motivated by a desire to differentiate themselves from the departees.

And Cambridge, the reason that we need “the” is that “weekend” is ambiguous by itself. For example: “are you free on the weekend so we can get together? ” means this coming weekend or the implied weekend in reference whereas “are you free on a weekend? ” just means any old weekend.

Which so to say that “the” is imperative because “weekend” is a common noun, and to add specificity to it we use the article “the”. Hence “the” denotes a person(s) or thing(s) already mentioned, under discussion, implied, or otherwise presumed familiar to the listener or reader.

That clear?