Understanding prepositions of time is crucial for mastering English. These small but powerful words help us articulate when something happens, clarifying our communication. While prepositions of time are generally easy to grasp, they can sometimes be tricky due to their specific usage rules. This article will delve into the most common prepositions of time, including “at,” “on,” “in,” “by,” “for,” “since,” and “during.” We’ll also explore some nuances and exceptions to ensure you have a thorough understanding of their applications.
At
The preposition “at” is used to specify a precise time. It is often used with clock times, specific moments, and certain phrases.
– **Clock times**: “The meeting starts at 3 PM.”
– **Specific moments**: “He arrived at midnight.”
– **Certain phrases**: “I’ll see you at lunchtime.”
Additionally, “at” can be used with festivals and holidays when referring to the general time of the event:
– “We always get together at Christmas.”
On
The preposition “on” is used with days and dates. This can include days of the week, specific calendar dates, and special days.
– **Days of the week**: “We will meet on Monday.”
– **Specific dates**: “Her birthday is on April 5th.”
– **Special days**: “We have a picnic on New Year’s Day.”
“On” is also used when referring to parts of specific days:
– “I have a dentist appointment on Monday morning.”
In
The preposition “in” is used for nonspecific times during a day, month, season, or year. It is also used for longer periods like centuries and eras.
– **Parts of the day**: “She exercises in the morning.”
– **Months**: “We go on vacation in July.”
– **Seasons**: “The flowers bloom in spring.”
– **Years**: “He graduated in 2020.”
– **Centuries and eras**: “This artifact was made in the 18th century.”
By
The preposition “by” indicates a deadline or the latest time something will happen. It implies that an action will be completed before or at a certain time.
– “Please submit your report by Friday.”
– “She promised to be home by 6 PM.”
For
“For” is used to indicate a duration of time. It answers the question “how long?” and is often used with periods of time like minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years.
– “He studied for three hours.”
– “They lived in Paris for two years.”
Since
The preposition “since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event that continues into the present. It is often paired with the present perfect tense.
– “She has been working here since 2010.”
– “I’ve known him since we were kids.”
During
“During” is used to specify when something happens within a specific period or event. It emphasizes the time within which an action occurs.
– “He fell asleep during the movie.”
– “They met during the conference.”
Common Mistakes and Exceptions
Understanding the general rules is essential, but being aware of common mistakes and exceptions will solidify your grasp of prepositions of time.
At vs. On
A frequent mistake is confusing “at” and “on” with times and days. Remember that “at” is used for specific times, and “on” is used for days and dates.
– Incorrect: “I’ll see you on 5 PM.”
– Correct: “I’ll see you at 5 PM.”
– Incorrect: “The event is at Monday.”
– Correct: “The event is on Monday.”
In vs. On
Another common error is mixing “in” and “on” when talking about parts of the day and specific days.
– Incorrect: “She will arrive in Monday morning.”
– Correct: “She will arrive on Monday morning.”
– Incorrect: “I usually take a nap on the afternoon.”
– Correct: “I usually take a nap in the afternoon.”
By vs. Until
“By” and “until” can be confusing because they both relate to time limits. “By” indicates a deadline, while “until” indicates the continuation of an action up to a certain point.
– Incorrect: “I will wait by 6 PM.”
– Correct: “I will wait until 6 PM.”
– Incorrect: “Please submit the form until Friday.”
– Correct: “Please submit the form by Friday.”
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding, here are some practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time.
1. I have a meeting ___ 3 PM.
2. She was born ___ May 15th.
3. We usually go skiing ___ winter.
4. The project must be finished ___ next week.
5. They have been living here ___ 2015.
6. He fell asleep ___ the lecture.
7. We stayed in the cabin ___ three days.
8. The show starts ___ Monday evening.
Answers:
1. at
2. on
3. in
4. by
5. since
6. during
7. for
8. on
Advanced Usage
Once you are comfortable with the basic prepositions of time, you can explore more advanced usage and combinations.
Combining Prepositions
Sometimes, prepositions of time are combined with other prepositions to give a more specific time frame.
– “I will be available from 3 PM to 5 PM.”
– “We lived there from 2010 until 2014.”
Expressions of Time
Certain expressions of time can be tricky and require specific prepositions.
– “She’s been working here for five years.”
– “He’s been on the phone for hours.”
Idiomatic Expressions
English also has idiomatic expressions that involve prepositions of time. These expressions may not follow the standard rules but are commonly used in everyday language.
– “In the nick of time” means just in time.
– “At the eleventh hour” means at the last possible moment.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in English is essential for clear and accurate communication. By understanding the specific usages of “at,” “on,” “in,” “by,” “for,” “since,” and “during,” you can effectively convey when events occur. Practice regularly, pay attention to common mistakes, and explore advanced usages to deepen your understanding. With time and practice, using prepositions of time will become second nature.
