Learning prepositions can be one of the trickier aspects of mastering a language, especially when it comes to prepositions of time. These small words, such as “in,” “on,” and “at,” play a crucial role in making our sentences clear and precise. They help us specify when something happens, which can be essential for effective communication. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the usage of prepositions of time, provide plenty of examples, and offer tips to help you remember their correct usage.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that connect a verb, noun, or adjective to a point in time. They indicate when something happens, happened, or will happen. The most common prepositions of time in English are “in,” “on,” and “at.” Each of these prepositions has specific rules that govern their usage, and knowing these rules can greatly improve your fluency in the language.
Using “In” for Periods of Time
The preposition “in” is used for longer, more general periods of time. Here are some common scenarios where you would use “in”:
1. **Months and Years**:
– “I was born in July.”
– “She graduated in 2015.”
2. **Seasons**:
– “We usually travel in the summer.”
– “The flowers bloom in spring.”
3. **Decades and Centuries**:
– “Jazz music became popular in the 1920s.”
– “This structure was built in the 18th century.”
4. **Periods of the Day**:
– “I prefer to exercise in the morning.”
– “We will meet in the afternoon.”
5. **Future Time**:
– “She will arrive in a few hours.”
– “The project will be completed in three weeks.”
Using “On” for Specific Days and Dates
The preposition “on” is used when referring to specific days and dates. Here are the primary ways to use “on”:
1. **Days of the Week**:
– “I have a meeting on Monday.”
– “They go hiking on Saturdays.”
2. **Dates**:
– “Her birthday is on October 5th.”
– “We moved into our new house on January 1st.”
3. **Specific Days**:
– “The event is on Christmas Day.”
– “I will see you on my graduation day.”
4. **Special Holidays**:
– “We usually have a big dinner on Thanksgiving.”
– “Fireworks are common on New Year’s Eve.”
Using “At” for Precise Times
The preposition “at” is used for precise, specific times. Here are the most common scenarios for using “at”:
1. **Clock Times**:
– “The meeting starts at 9 AM.”
– “She goes to bed at 10 PM.”
2. **Festive Periods**:
– “We exchanged gifts at Christmas.”
– “The festivities begin at midnight on New Year’s Eve.”
3. **Specific Moments**:
– “He arrived at the last minute.”
– “The baby was born at dawn.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with prepositions of time. Here are some common errors and tips on how to avoid them:
1. **Confusing “in” and “on”**:
– Incorrect: “I will see you in Monday.”
– Correct: “I will see you on Monday.”
To avoid this mistake, remember that “on” is used for specific days of the week and dates, while “in” is used for longer periods like months or years.
2. **Using “at” instead of “in” for longer periods**:
– Incorrect: “She graduated at 2015.”
– Correct: “She graduated in 2015.”
Recall that “at” is for specific times and “in” is for more extended periods.
3. **Mixing up “at” and “on”**:
– Incorrect: “The party starts on 8 PM.”
– Correct: “The party starts at 8 PM.”
Remember, “at” is for precise times, and “on” is for specific days or dates.
Additional Prepositions of Time
Beyond “in,” “on,” and “at,” there are other prepositions of time that you should be familiar with. These include “since,” “for,” “during,” “by,” “from…to,” and “until/till.”
Using “Since” and “For”
“Since” and “for” are used to talk about the duration of time.
1. **Since**:
– “I have lived here since 2010.”
– “They have been friends since childhood.”
2. **For**:
– “She has worked here for five years.”
– “We stayed in Paris for two weeks.”
Use “since” for a specific starting point in time and “for” to indicate the duration.
Using “During” and “By”
“During” and “by” are used to indicate when something happens within a period or by a specific point in time.
1. **During**:
– “We visited several museums during our trip.”
– “She felt ill during the meeting.”
2. **By**:
– “I need to finish this report by tomorrow.”
– “The guests should arrive by 6 PM.”
“During” is used for something that happens within a specific period, while “by” indicates a deadline or the latest point in time something should happen.
Using “From…To” and “Until/Till”
“From…to” and “until/till” are used to discuss the start and end points of a period of time.
1. **From…To**:
– “The exhibition runs from June to September.”
– “He works from 9 AM to 5 PM.”
2. **Until/Till**:
– “The store is open until 9 PM.”
– “She will be away till Friday.”
“From…to” specifies the beginning and end of a period, whereas “until/till” indicates up to a particular point in time.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of prepositions of time, try these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time:
1. I usually go to bed ___ 11 PM.
2. She has been working here ___ five years.
3. We are going on vacation ___ August.
4. The movie starts ___ 7 PM.
5. He was born ___ 1990.
6. Let’s meet ___ Monday.
7. They will arrive ___ the morning.
8. The store is open ___ 9 AM ___ 6 PM.
9. She has been here ___ last week.
10. The project is due ___ Friday.
Answers:
1. at
2. for
3. in
4. at
5. in
6. on
7. in
8. from, to
9. since
10. by
Tips for Mastering Prepositions of Time
Here are some tips to help you master prepositions of time:
1. **Practice Regularly**: Regular practice can help you become more comfortable with using the correct prepositions.
2. **Read and Listen**: Pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions of time in books, articles, and conversations.
3. **Create Associations**: Create mental associations or use mnemonic devices to remember which prepositions to use in different scenarios.
4. **Use Visual Aids**: Charts and diagrams can help you visualize the usage of different prepositions of time.
5. **Ask for Feedback**: Don’t hesitate to ask teachers or native speakers for feedback on your usage of prepositions.
Conclusion
Understanding and correctly using prepositions of time is essential for clear and effective communication in English. By mastering “in,” “on,” “at,” and other prepositions of time, you can make your speech and writing more precise. Remember to practice regularly, pay attention to how these prepositions are used in context, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. With time and effort, you will become more confident in your use of prepositions of time.
