Prepositions of Time

 

Prepositions that are used to develop a relationship of time between different parts of the sentence are known as Prepositions of Time.

 

MOST COMMONLY USED PREPOSITIONS OF TIME
ON
AT
IN
FROM
TO
SINCE
AGO
BEFORE
TILL/UNTIL
BY

 

AT, ON, IN

AT:

This preposition is used when a sentence is indicating the exact and accurate time.

Example

I ended working at 7 PM.

My shift begins at 9 AM.

The restaurant closes at 12 AM.

Note:

There are certain exceptions of time that specify the time but in an indirect way. For instance, at Christmas, at Easter, in the evening, at the weekend.

 

ON:

It is used to highlight the mentioned date or time of the day.

Example:

Emma will see her on Tuesday.

She broke a piece of equipment on Friday morning.

David has to attend a meeting on 27 December.

 

IN:

It determines an unspecified an indefinite period of time such as months, centuries, seasons, years, etc.

Example:

I will get a bonus in March.

Lisa was born in 2004.

I love playing volleyball in the sun.

Note: a few commonly used terminologies are – in the morning, in a few minutes, in two years, in the evening, in the afternoon, in six days, etc.

 

FROM…. TO, TILL/UNTIL SINCE, FOR,

FROM… TO:

These terms indicate a specific time frame with the starting and the end.

Example:

I worked there from 2000 to 2015.

I usually work from Monday to Friday.

I will stay there from 11 AM TO 5 PM.

 

UNTIL/TILL:

These two words are used to indicate a specific or an unspecific time/event up to a point.

Example:

He will not return until Sunday.

Wait for me until I come back.

I will not give up until I succeed

I will not be there until Friday.

 

SINCE:

Since it highlights a specific time frame beginning in the past and continued in the present.

Example:

Linda has been in the town since Monday.

She has been suffering from cold since Thursday.

Jade and Charlotte have been friends since childhood.

 

FOR:

It is used to indicate a period of time or an amount of time from the past, present or future.

Example:

Brian stayed in London for five days.

I will be staying there for six months.

I will work with him for a year

He was sitting there for a long time.

 

BEFORE, AFTER, DURING, BY

Before:

It indicates and highlights a prior event or a span of time from a point.

Example:

Kate was very confused before the interview.

I want to leave before dinner.

These fast ballers should not get out before the tea break.

Before going, close all the lights.

 

After:

It determines an event or period of time from a point to another. This type of preposition is totally the opposite of before.

Example:

Jade felt doubtful after the interview.

I want to leave the party after dinner.

We went home after playing volleyball.

 

During:

During is used to determine a period of time throughout the time lap or duration of any occasion or act.

Example:

Anna was sleeping during the class.

They don’t talk during lunch.

I don’t usually smoke during official gatherings.

 

By:

It means within the extent or period of; during something.

Example:

I will finish the task by Sunday.

She will return by 8 PM.

I will give the feedback by 2 PM.