Prepositions of time are essential for expressing when events occur, how long they last, and their relationship to other points in time. They provide the temporal context that allows us to understand and communicate effectively about schedules, durations, and sequences.
A solid grasp of these prepositions is crucial for both written and spoken English, enhancing clarity and precision in your communication. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to prepositions of time, suitable for learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers.
We will cover definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to help you master this important aspect of English grammar.
Whether you’re preparing for an English proficiency exam, aiming to improve your writing skills, or simply want to communicate more effectively, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and practice you need. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to use prepositions of time correctly and confidently.
Table of Contents
- Definition of Prepositions of Time
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Prepositions of Time
- “At” for Specific Times
- “On” for Days and Dates
- “In” for Months, Years, Seasons, and Longer Periods
- “Before” for Earlier Times
- “After” for Later Times
- “During” for the Length of an Event
- “For” Indicating Duration
- “Since” Indicating a Starting Point
- “Until” Indicating an End Point
- “By” Indicating a Deadline
- “From…To/Until” Indicating a Time Span
- “Within” Indicating a Time Limit
- Examples of Prepositions of Time
- Usage Rules for Prepositions of Time
- Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion
Definition of Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that indicate when something happens, happened, or will happen. They connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to a specific point in time, duration, or period.
They help to establish the temporal relationship between different elements in a sentence. Understanding prepositions of time is crucial for constructing clear and precise sentences, especially when discussing schedules, deadlines, and events.
These prepositions are essential components of English grammar, acting as bridges that link events to specific moments or periods. They provide the necessary context to understand the timing of actions and occurrences.
Without them, sentences would lack the temporal clarity needed for effective communication.
Prepositions of time are classified as a type of preposition, sharing the general characteristic of connecting a noun or pronoun to other words in a sentence. However, their specific function is to relate the noun or pronoun to a temporal aspect.
Structural Breakdown
The basic structure involving prepositions of time is typically:
[Noun/Pronoun] + [Preposition of Time] + [Time Expression]
For example:
- I will meet you at 3 PM.
- The meeting is on Monday.
- He was born in 1990.
The noun or pronoun refers to the subject or object involved in the action. The preposition of time establishes the temporal relationship. The time expression specifies the exact time, day, month, year, or period.
Prepositions of time can also appear at the beginning of a sentence, often followed by a comma:
- Before the meeting, I will review the agenda.
- After dinner, we will go for a walk.
Understanding this structure allows you to correctly place prepositions of time within a sentence, ensuring clarity and grammatical accuracy.
Types and Categories of Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time can be categorized based on the type of time expression they relate to. The most common prepositions are “at,” “on,” and “in,” but there are many others that specify more nuanced temporal relationships.
Let’s explore these categories in detail.
“At” for Specific Times
“At” is used to indicate a specific point in time, such as a particular hour, minute, or moment. It is also used with certain fixed expressions.
Examples:
- I will meet you at 5 o’clock.
- The movie starts at 7:30 PM.
- We eat dinner at night.
- The sun rises at dawn.
- Let’s meet at lunchtime.
“On” for Days and Dates
“On” is used to indicate specific days of the week or dates.
Examples:
- I have a meeting on Monday.
- The party is on Saturday night.
- My birthday is on July 20th.
- We celebrate Christmas on December 25th.
- I will see you on the weekend.
“In” for Months, Years, Seasons, and Longer Periods
“In” is used to indicate months, years, seasons, centuries, and other longer periods of time.
Examples:
- I was born in 1995.
- The flowers bloom in spring.
- We will travel to Europe in July.
- The Renaissance occurred in the 15th century.
- I will finish the project in a week.
“Before” for Earlier Times
“Before” indicates that something happens earlier than a specific time or event.
Examples:
- I need to finish this report before Friday.
- Please arrive before the meeting starts.
- He always brushes his teeth before bed.
- Before 2020, I lived in New York.
- She completed her studies before starting her career.
“After” for Later Times
“After” indicates that something happens later than a specific time or event.
Examples:
- I will call you after dinner.
- After the rain, the sun came out.
- We went for a walk after the movie.
- He started his new job after graduating from college.
- After many years, they finally met again.
“During” for the Length of an Event
“During” indicates that something happens within the duration of a specific event or period.
Examples:
- I fell asleep during the movie.
- Please be quiet during the performance.
- He worked very hard during his studies.
- We visited many museums during our vacation.
- The phone rang during the meeting.
“For” Indicating Duration
“For” is used to indicate the length of time that something lasts.
Examples:
- I have lived here for five years.
- She studied for three hours.
- We waited for a long time.
- He worked on the project for several weeks.
- The concert lasted for two hours.
“Since” Indicating a Starting Point
“Since” is used to indicate the point in time when something began and continues to the present.
Examples:
- I have been working here since 2010.
- She has been studying English since January.
- We haven’t seen each other since last summer.
- He has been feeling unwell since yesterday.
- The company has been successful since its inception.
“Until” Indicating an End Point
“Until” is used to indicate the point in time when something will stop.
Examples:
- I will wait until you arrive.
- The store is open until 9 PM.
- We will stay here until the rain stops.
- He worked until he retired.
- The library is open until midnight.
“By” Indicating a Deadline
“By” is used to indicate a deadline or the latest time something should be completed.
Examples:
- Please submit your application by Friday.
- The report must be finished by the end of the day.
- I need the payment by next week.
- He promised to call by evening.
- The project should be completed by the deadline.
“From…To/Until” Indicating a Time Span
“From…to/until” is used to indicate the start and end points of a period.
Examples:
- I work from 9 AM to 5 PM.
- The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday.
- The exhibition will run from June until August.
- He studied from morning until night.
- The conference will be held from Monday to Wednesday.
“Within” Indicating a Time Limit
“Within” is used to indicate that something must be done before a certain amount of time has passed.
Examples:
- You must respond within 24 hours.
- The package will arrive within three days.
- We need to make a decision within a week.
- He completed the task within the allotted time.
- The results will be available within a month.
Examples of Prepositions of Time
To solidify your understanding, here are extensive examples of how prepositions of time are used in various contexts. The following tables provides a wide range of sentences that illustrate the proper usage of each preposition, categorized for clarity.
Table 1: Examples Using “At”
This table showcases the use of the preposition “at” with specific times, moments, and fixed expressions. Each example provides context to illustrate how “at” is used to pinpoint a particular time.
| Example | Category |
|---|---|
| I have a meeting at 9 AM. | Specific Time |
| The concert starts at 8 PM. | Specific Time |
| Let’s meet at noon. | Specific Time |
| The sun sets at dusk. | Specific Moment |
| We eat breakfast at sunrise. | Specific Moment |
| I always feel most creative at night. | Fixed Expression |
| He arrived at the same time as me. | Specific Time |
| She will be here at any moment. | Specific Moment |
| The train is scheduled to depart at 10:30 AM. | Specific Time |
| We usually have a family gathering at Christmas. | Fixed Expression |
| He is always busy at work. | Fixed Expression |
| The presentation will begin promptly at the scheduled time. | Specific Time |
| They arrived at the airport early in the morning. | Specific Time |
| The birds start singing at first light. | Specific Moment |
| The party will be in full swing at midnight. | Specific Moment |
| I often feel tired at the end of the day. | Fixed Expression |
| The store opens at 9 in the morning. | Specific Time |
| The children go to bed at a regular time. | Specific Time |
| The conference will be held at the convention center. | Specific Place and Time |
| He is skilled at playing the guitar. | Fixed Expression |
| The bakery sells fresh bread at dawn. | Specific Moment |
| Let’s plan to meet at the coffee shop. | Specific Place and Time |
| The museum offers free admission at certain times. | Specific Time |
| The fireworks display will begin at sunset. | Specific Moment |
| I prefer to study at the library. | Specific Place and Time |
Table 2: Examples Using “On”
This table provides examples of using the preposition “on” with days, dates, and specific occasions. The examples illustrate how “on” is used to denote particular days or dates when events occur.
| Example | Category |
|---|---|
| I have a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday. | Day of the Week |
| The meeting is scheduled on Friday afternoon. | Day of the Week |
| My birthday is on August 15th. | Date |
| We celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. | Date |
| The store has a sale on Black Friday. | Specific Occasion |
| I usually go for a run on the weekend. | Day of the Week |
| He will arrive on the 20th of June. | Date |
| The concert is on Saturday night. | Day of the Week |
| We are planning a picnic on Sunday. | Day of the Week |
| The project is due on the first of next month. | Date |
| The family gathers together on Christmas Day. | Specific Occasion |
| The conference will be held on Thursday and Friday. | Day of the Week |
| The new product will be launched on the market next week. | Day of the Week |
| The exhibition will open on the 10th of May. | Date |
| The awards ceremony is scheduled on the last day of the year. | Date |
| The company party will be held on New Year’s Eve. | Specific Occasion |
| The train is scheduled to arrive on time. | Day of the Week |
| They will be performing live on stage tonight. | Specific Occasion |
| The play will premiere on opening night. | Specific Occasion |
| The event is expected to draw a large crowd on that day. | Date |
| The museum offers free admission on certain days. | Day of the Week |
| The farmers market is open on Saturdays. | Day of the Week |
| The city celebrates its anniversary on a specific date. | Date |
| The school organizes a sports day on the last day of the term. | Specific Occasion |
Table 3: Examples Using “In”
This table illustrates the use of the preposition “in” with months, years, seasons, and longer periods. The examples show how “in” is used to specify when events occur within these broader timeframes.
| Example | Category |
|---|---|
| I was born in 1990. | Year |
| The flowers bloom in spring. | Season |
| We are going on vacation in July. | Month |
| The company was founded in the 20th century. | Century |
| I will finish the project in a few weeks. | Longer Period |
| He graduated from college in 2015. | Year |
| The leaves change color in autumn. | Season |
| She plans to move to a new city in January. | Month |
| The city was built in ancient times. | Longer Period |
| The technology will be available in the near future. | Longer Period |
| The course will start in September. | Month |
| The birds migrate south in winter. | Season |
| The discovery was made in the early 1900s. | Year |
| The event will take place in the summer months. | Season |
| The research will be completed in due course. | Longer Period |
| The new policy will be implemented in the coming months. | Longer Period |
| The renovation will be finished in a year. | Year |
| The conference will be held in October. | Month |
| The weather is usually pleasant in springtime. | Season |
| The product will be launched in the next quarter. | Longer Period |
| The festival is celebrated in December. | Month |
| The animals hibernate in winter. | Season |
| The museum was established in the 18th century. | Century |
Table 4: Examples Using “Before” and “After”
This table contrasts the use of “before” and “after,” illustrating how they are used to indicate the sequence of events. The “before” examples show actions that precede a specific time, while the “after” examples show actions that follow a specific time.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| Before | I need to leave before 8 AM. |
| Before | Please submit your report before Friday. |
| Before | He always exercises before breakfast. |
| Before | Before you go, make sure to lock the door. |
| Before | They arrived before the movie started. |
| After | I will call you after the meeting. |
| After | After the rain, the sun came out. |
| After | We went for a walk after dinner. |
| After | He started his new job after graduating. |
| After | They celebrated after winning the game. |
| Before | She likes to read before going to sleep. |
| Before | The package arrived before the estimated delivery date. |
| Before | He always finishes his homework before dinner. |
| Before | She double-checks her work before submitting it. |
| Before | They always plan their trips before booking flights. |
| After | She felt much better after taking the medicine. |
| After | The garden looked beautiful after the rain. |
| After | He felt relieved after completing the project. |
| After | She went shopping after receiving her paycheck. |
| After | They went to a restaurant after the concert. |
Table 5: Examples Using “During,” “For,” “Since,” and “Until”
This table presents a collection of examples illustrating the use of “during,” “for,” “since,” and “until.” Each example is categorized to show how these prepositions are used to express duration, starting points, and end points of time.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| During | I fell asleep during the lecture. |
| During | Please remain seated during the performance. |
| During | He worked very hard during the summer. |
| During | We visited many museums during our vacation. |
| During | The phone rang during the meeting. |
| For | I have lived here for ten years. |
| For | She studied for several hours. |
| For | We waited for a long time. |
| For | He worked on the project for three months. |
| For | The concert lasted for two hours. |
| Since | I have been working here since 2015. |
| Since | She has been studying English since January. |
| Since | We haven’t seen each other since last summer. |
| Since | He has been feeling unwell since yesterday. |
| Since | The company has been successful since its inception. |
| Until | I will wait until you arrive. |
| Until | The store is open until 10 PM. |
| Until | We will stay here until the rain stops. |
| Until | He worked until he retired. |
| Until | The library is open until midnight. |
Usage Rules for Prepositions of Time
Using prepositions of time correctly requires understanding specific rules and nuances. Here are some key guidelines to follow:
- “At” for specific times: Use “at” for precise times, such as “at 3 PM” or “at noon.”
- “On” for days and dates: Use “on” for specific days of the week and dates, such as “on Monday” or “on July 4th.”
- “In” for months, years, seasons, and longer periods: Use “in” for broader timeframes, such as “in June,” “in 2023,” “in summer,” or “in the 21st century.”
- “Before” and “After” for sequence: Use “before” to indicate an earlier time and “after” to indicate a later time.
- “During” for events: Use “during” to indicate that something happens within the duration of an event.
- “For” for duration: Use “for” to specify how long something lasts.
- “Since” for starting points: Use “since” to indicate the point in time when something began and continues to the present.
- “Until” for end points: Use “until” to indicate the point in time when something will stop.
- “By” for deadlines: Use “by” to indicate the latest time something should be completed.
Exceptions and Special Cases:
- “At the weekend” vs. “On the weekend”: Both are acceptable, but “on the weekend” is more common in American English, while “at the weekend” is more common in British English.
- Omission of prepositions: In some cases, prepositions of time can be omitted, especially with words like “next,” “last,” “this,” and “every.” For example, “I will see you next week” is correct without the preposition “on.”
- “In time” vs. “On time”: “In time” means early enough or with sufficient time, while “on time” means at the scheduled time.
Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time
Even experienced English speakers sometimes make mistakes with prepositions of time. Here are some common errors to watch out for:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I will see you in Monday. | I will see you on Monday. | “On” is used with days of the week. |
| She was born on 1990. | She was born in 1990. | “In” is used with years. |
| The meeting is at the morning. | The meeting is in the morning. | “In” is used with parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening). |
| I will finish the report to Friday. | I will finish the report by Friday. | “By” is used to indicate a deadline. |
| I have been working here for last year. | I have been working here since last year. | “Since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues to the present. |
| I will wait you to you arrive. | I will wait until you arrive. | “Until” is used to indicate the end point of an action. |
| We will meet at afternoon. | We will meet in the afternoon. | “In” is used with parts of the day like afternoon. |
| The class starts on 8 AM. | The class starts at 8 AM. | “At” is used for specific times. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of prepositions of time with these practice exercises. Choose the correct preposition for each sentence.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. I will see you _____ Friday. | on |
| 2. She was born _____ 1992. | in |
| 3. The meeting is _____ 3 PM. | at |
| 4. I have to finish this project _____ next week. | by |
| 5. We always have a family gathering _____ Christmas. | at |
| 6. I’ve been studying English _____ 2010. | since |
| 7. The store is open _____ 9 AM _____ 5 PM. | from, to |
| 8. I will wait _____ you arrive. | until |
| 9. The flowers bloom _____ spring. | in |
| 10. I fell asleep _____ the movie. | during |
| 11. I have lived here _____ five years. | for |
| 12. He graduated _____ June. | in |
| 13. He eats breakfast _____ the morning. | in |
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The concert starts _____ 8 PM. | a) on, b) at, c) in | b) at |
| 2. I will call you _____ I finish work. | a) before, b) after, c) during | b) after |
| 3. She has been working here _____ last year. | a) for, b) since, c) until | b) since |
| 4. We will stay here _____ the rain stops. | a) for, b) by, c) until | c) until |
| 5. Please submit your application _____ Friday. | a) on, b) at, c) by | c) by |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, understanding the nuances of prepositions of time can further refine your English skills. Here are some advanced topics to explore:
- Prepositions of time in complex sentences: Learn how to use prepositions of time in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving clauses and phrases.
- Formal vs. informal usage: Understand how the choice of preposition can vary depending on the formality of the context.
- Regional variations: Be aware of regional differences in preposition usage, such as “at the weekend” (British English) vs. “on the weekend” (American English).
- Prepositions of time in idioms and expressions: Explore how prepositions of time are used in common idioms and expressions, such as “in the nick of time” or “once in a blue moon.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between “in time” and “on time”?
“In time” means early enough or with sufficient time. “On time” means at the scheduled time.
Can I use “at” with days of the week?
No, “at” is not used with days of the week. Use “on” instead (e.g., “on Monday”).
Is it correct to say “I will see you next week” without a preposition?
Yes, it is correct. Prepositions of time are often omitted with words like “next,” “last,” “this,” and “every.”
When should I use “during” instead of “in”?
Use “during” to indicate that something happens within the duration of a specific event or period. Use “in” for months, years, seasons, and longer periods.
What is the difference between “for” and “since”?
“For” is used to indicate the length of time that something lasts. “Since” is used to indicate the point in time when something began and continues to the present.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time is crucial for clear and effective communication in English. By understanding the different types of prepositions, their usage rules, and common mistakes to avoid, you can significantly improve your language skills.
Regular practice and exposure to various contexts will further solidify your understanding and confidence in using these essential grammatical elements. Keep practicing, and you’ll find yourself using prepositions of time accurately and naturally.