Prepositions of Time
Before
Indicates a point in time preceding another event. Example: Please finish your homework before dinner.
Within
Indicates a specific time frame in which something will happen. Example: The package will arrive within a week.
Since
Indicates a starting point in time. Example: She has been working here since 2010.
Until/ Till
Indicates the end of a period or the time when something will happen. Example: They will stay until the end of the party.
By
Used to express a deadline or the latest time something can happen. Example: Please submit your report by Friday.
During
Used to indicate a period or range of time. Example: He fell asleep during the movie.
For
Used to indicate the duration of an action or event. Example: I have been studying for two hours.
At
We use "at" for specific times. Example: I have a meeting at 3:00 PM.
In
We use "in" for longer periods, months, years, and seasons. Example: It will snow in December.
On
We use "on" for days and dates. Example: She will arrive on Monday.
On
____ generally indicates a fixed date or a day.
In
____ generally indicates an indefinite and unspecific time of months, seasons, years, centuries, etc.
By
____ means 'within the extent or period of; during' something.
at
_____ always indicates an exact and specific time.
For
_____ indicates a period of time (amount of time) in the past, present or future.
After
___________ indicates a following event/period of time from a point. This preposition is the exact opposite of before.
During
___________ indicates a period of time throughout the course or duration of any event or action.
Before
___________ indicates a prior event/ period of time from a point.
Since
____________ indicates a time-span beginning in a time in the past and still continuing in the present (now).
From....to
________________ indicates a fixed time-span with the beginning and the end.
Until/till
________________ indicates a specific or unspecific time/event up to a point.
Prepositions of time
__________________________ show the relationship of time between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.
On, at, in, from, to, for, since, ago, before, till/until, by, etc.
Common preposition of time:
Throughout
Denotes the entire duration of a period. Example: It rained throughout the night.
*by Sunday *by 6 PM *by 11 AM
Example preposition "After" *I will complete the assignment by Sunday. *He will return by 6 PM. *I will submit the list by 11 AM.
*during the film *during dinner *during office time
Example preposition "After" *Robert was sleeping during the film. *They don't talk during dinner. *I don't usually smoke during office time.
*after the interview *after lunch *After playing football
Example preposition "After" *Robin felt confident after the interview. *I want to leave after lunch. *After playing football, we went home.
*at 10 AM *at 6 PM *at 30 AM Note: Exceptions are that we say - at the weekend, at night, at Chrismas, at Easter, at the moment, etc.
Example preposition "At" *I started working at 10 AM. *The movie starts at 6 PM. *The shop closes at 30 AM.
*before the interview *before lunch *before the tea break *Before going
Example preposition "Before" *Robin was very nervous before the interview. *I want to leave before lunch. *These batsmen should not get out before the tea break. *Before going, close all the window.
*for four days *for five months *for a year *for a long time
Example preposition "For" *He stayed there for four days. *I will be staying there for five months. *I will work with them for a year. *He was standing there for a long time.
*from 2010 to 2017 *from Saturday to Thursday *from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Example preposition "From....to" *I worked there from 2010 to 2017. *I usually work from Saturday to Thursday. *I will stay there from 10 AM to 6 PM.
*in December. *in 2001 *in summer Note: Some very common exceptions are - in the morning, in the evening, in the afternoon, in five minutes, in six days, in two years, etc.
Example preposition "In" *I will get a holiday in December. *Murphy was born in 2001. *I love playing cricket in summer.
*on Friday *on Monday morning *on 25 October
Example preposition "On" *I'll see her on Friday. *He broke a record on Monday morning. *I have a meeting on 25 October.
*since Sunday *since Friday *since childhood
Example preposition "Since" *Alex has been in the village since Sunday. *He has been suffering from fever since Friday. *Robin and Susan have been friends since childhood.
*until Friday *until I return *until I am succeeded *until Monday
Example preposition "Until/till" *They will not return until Friday. *Wait for me until I return. *I do not give up until I am succeeded. *I will be there until Monday.
After
Indicates a point in time following another event. Example: We'll meet after the class.
