Prepositions of time are an essential part of the English language, and mastering their use can significantly improve your fluency and comprehension. These prepositions help us specify when something happens, making our communication clearer and more precise. In this article, we will explore the most common prepositions of time, their usage, and some helpful tips to remember them.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence to indicate when something occurs. The most frequently used prepositions of time include in, on, and at. Each of these prepositions has specific rules and contexts in which they are used.
Using “In”
The preposition “in” is used to denote longer periods of time. Here are some of the contexts in which “in” is appropriate:
1. **Months and Years**:
– Example: “I was born in July.”
– Example: “She graduated in 2020.”
2. **Seasons**:
– Example: “We like to go hiking in the summer.”
– Example: “The flowers bloom in spring.”
3. **Decades and Centuries**:
– Example: “Jazz music became popular in the 1920s.”
– Example: “The Renaissance period occurred in the 15th century.”
4. **Parts of the Day**:
– Example: “I usually exercise in the morning.”
– Example: “The party will be held in the evening.”
5. **Future periods**:
– Example: “She will finish the project in two weeks.”
– Example: “They plan to visit us in a few days.”
Using “On”
The preposition “on” is used to specify days and dates. Here are the contexts in which “on” is used:
1. **Days of the Week**:
– Example: “I have a meeting on Monday.”
– Example: “We go to the gym on Fridays.”
2. **Specific Dates**:
– Example: “Her birthday is on September 10th.”
– Example: “The event is scheduled on the 25th of December.”
3. **Special Days**:
– Example: “We always go out for dinner on New Year’s Eve.”
– Example: “They have a family gathering on Thanksgiving.”
4. **Parts of Specific Days**:
– Example: “I will call you on Monday morning.”
– Example: “We have a meeting on Friday afternoon.”
Using “At”
The preposition “at” is used to indicate specific points in time. Here are the contexts in which “at” is used:
1. **Exact Times**:
– Example: “The train departs at 6:30 PM.”
– Example: “She usually wakes up at 7:00 AM.”
2. **Specific Points in Time During the Day**:
– Example: “I will meet you at noon.”
– Example: “Let’s have dinner at midnight.”
3. **Holidays and Festivals**:
– Example: “We exchange gifts at Christmas.”
– Example: “He loves to watch fireworks at New Year’s.”
4. **Mealtime**:
– Example: “We should discuss this at breakfast.”
– Example: “I will see you at lunch.”
Other Common Prepositions of Time
Beyond the primary prepositions of time, there are several others that you might encounter. These include before, after, during, by, until, for, since, and within. Each has its own specific usage and rules.
Using “Before” and “After”
“Before” and “after” are used to indicate relative time — when something happens in relation to another event.
1. **Before**:
– Example: “I like to meditate before breakfast.”
– Example: “Please submit your report before Friday.”
2. **After**:
– Example: “Let’s go for a walk after dinner.”
– Example: “She felt relaxed after the yoga session.”
Using “During”
“During” is used to indicate that something happens within a specific period of time.
1. **Within a Specified Period**:
– Example: “She fell asleep during the movie.”
– Example: “I will be traveling during the holidays.”
Using “By” and “Until”
“By” and “until” are often used to set deadlines or end points.
1. **By**:
– Example: “Please finish your homework by Monday.”
– Example: “The package should arrive by 5 PM.”
2. **Until**:
– Example: “The store is open until 9 PM.”
– Example: “You can stay here until the storm passes.”
Using “For” and “Since”
“For” and “since” help to indicate the duration of time something has occurred.
1. **For**:
– Example: “He has lived here for ten years.”
– Example: “They have been studying for three hours.”
2. **Since**:
– Example: “She has been working here since 2015.”
– Example: “I haven’t seen him since last summer.”
Using “Within”
“Within” indicates that something will happen inside a specific period.
1. **Within a Time Frame**:
– Example: “The results will be published within a week.”
– Example: “She expects to complete the project within two months.”
Common Mistakes and Tips
Learning prepositions of time can be challenging, but understanding their rules and practicing their usage can help. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
1. **Mixing Up “In” and “On”**:
– Incorrect: “I will visit you in Monday.”
– Correct: “I will visit you on Monday.”
– **Tip**: Remember that “on” is used for days and dates, while “in” is used for longer periods.
2. **Using “At” Incorrectly**:
– Incorrect: “Let’s meet in 5 PM.”
– Correct: “Let’s meet at 5 PM.”
– **Tip**: Use “at” for specific times and points in the day.
3. **Confusing “During” and “For”**:
– Incorrect: “I stayed there during five days.”
– Correct: “I stayed there for five days.”
– **Tip**: Use “during” for events or periods and “for” for specific durations.
4. **Misusing “By” and “Until”**:
– Incorrect: “I will be there by 9 PM.”
– Correct: “I will be there until 9 PM.”
– **Tip**: Use “by” to indicate a deadline and “until” to indicate the end of a period.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of prepositions of time, try these practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions (in, on, at, before, after, during, by, until, for, since, within):
1. She will arrive ___ 10 AM.
2. The meeting is scheduled ___ Monday.
3. They have been friends ___ high school.
4. I will call you ___ the evening.
5. He finished the project ___ a week.
6. We like to travel ___ the summer.
7. She was born ___ 1990.
8. The store is open ___ 9 PM.
9. I haven’t seen him ___ last year.
10. Let’s meet ___ lunch.
Answers:
1. at
2. on
3. since
4. in
5. within
6. in
7. in
8. until
9. since
10. at
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time is crucial for effective communication in English. By understanding the rules and contexts for using “in,” “on,” “at,” and other prepositions of time, you can make your speech and writing more precise. Practice regularly, and soon you will find that using prepositions of time becomes second nature. Happy learning!
