Prepositions of time are essential elements in English that help us to convey when something happens. They are small words, but they play a significant role in providing context and clarity in both written and spoken communication. Understanding how to use these prepositions correctly is crucial for anyone learning English, as it can greatly improve both fluency and accuracy. In this article, we will delve into the most commonly used prepositions of time, such as “at,” “on,” and “in,” along with other important ones like “by,” “before,” “after,” “during,” and “since.” We’ll explore their usage, provide examples, and discuss some common pitfalls to avoid.
Common Prepositions of Time
At
The preposition “at” is used to denote specific points in time. It is commonly used with:
– Clock times: “at 5:00 PM,” “at noon”
– Festivals or holidays: “at Christmas,” “at Easter”
– Specific times of the day: “at sunrise,” “at night”
**Examples:**
– “The meeting starts at 10:30 AM.”
– “We always have a big dinner at Thanksgiving.”
– “She usually goes for a run at dawn.”
On
“On” is used for specific days and dates. It is also used with specific parts of days when they are named:
– Days of the week: “on Monday,” “on Friday”
– Dates: “on July 4th,” “on January 1st”
– Specific named parts of days: “on Monday morning,” “on Saturday night”
**Examples:**
– “I have a dentist appointment on Tuesday.”
– “We are planning a trip on Christmas Eve.”
– “She was born on May 5th.”
In
“In” is used to denote longer periods of time, such as:
– Months: “in January,” “in December”
– Years: “in 2020,” “in 1995”
– Decades: “in the 1980s,” “in the 21st century”
– Seasons: “in summer,” “in winter”
– Parts of the day: “in the morning,” “in the afternoon”
**Examples:**
– “I started my new job in March.”
– “They got married in 2015.”
– “We usually go hiking in the spring.”
Other Important Prepositions of Time
By
“By” is used to indicate a deadline or the latest time something will happen. It means “not later than” or “before”:
**Examples:**
– “Please submit your report by Friday.”
– “We need to finish the project by the end of the month.”
– “She promised to be home by 9 PM.”
Before
“Before” is used to indicate that something happens earlier than a specific point in time:
**Examples:**
– “Let’s meet before noon.”
– “She had left before I arrived.”
– “He always checks his email before breakfast.”
After
“After” is used to indicate that something happens later than a specific point in time:
**Examples:**
– “We can go for coffee after the meeting.”
– “They moved to a new house after the wedding.”
– “I usually read a book after dinner.”
During
“During” is used to indicate that something happens within a specific period of time:
**Examples:**
– “I fell asleep during the movie.”
– “She was very productive during the summer.”
– “He stayed with us during the holidays.”
Since
“Since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event that continues up to the present moment:
**Examples:**
– “I have known him since high school.”
– “They have been living here since 2010.”
– “She has been working on the project since January.”
Common Pitfalls and Tips
Learning prepositions of time can be tricky, and even advanced learners sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to help you master these prepositions:
Confusing “in” and “on”
One common mistake is using “in” instead of “on” and vice versa. Remember that “in” is used for longer periods like months, years, and seasons, while “on” is used for specific days and dates.
**Incorrect:** “I will meet you in Monday.”
**Correct:** “I will meet you on Monday.”
Using “at” instead of “in” or “on”
Another frequent error is using “at” where “in” or “on” should be used.
**Incorrect:** “I will see you at the morning.”
**Correct:** “I will see you in the morning.”
**Incorrect:** “The event is at July 4th.”
**Correct:** “The event is on July 4th.”
Using “since” instead of “for”
“Since” is used to refer to the starting point of an action, while “for” is used to indicate the duration. Mixing these up is a common error.
**Incorrect:** “I have been living here since five years.”
**Correct:** “I have been living here for five years.”
**Incorrect:** “She has been working on this project for 2010.”
**Correct:** “She has been working on this project since 2010.”
Pay Attention to Context
The context of a sentence can often help determine which preposition of time to use. Pay close attention to the specific time frame or point in time being referenced.
**Example:**
– “We are going on vacation in July.” (refers to the entire month)
– “We are going on vacation on July 15th.” (refers to a specific day)
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master prepositions of time is through practice. Engage in exercises, take quizzes, and most importantly, pay attention to how these prepositions are used in daily conversations, books, and media.
**Example Exercise:**
Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions of time (at, in, on, by, before, after, during, since):
1. I usually wake up ___ 6:30 AM.
2. We moved to this city ___ 2018.
3. She was born ___ August 15th.
4. He will finish the report ___ Friday.
5. They met ___ the conference.
6. We went to the park ___ lunch.
7. She has been studying French ___ three years.
8. The store closes ___ midnight.
**Answers:**
1. at
2. in
3. on
4. by
5. during
6. after
7. for
8. at
Conclusion
Prepositions of time are small but mighty tools in the English language. They help us precisely describe when events occur, adding clarity and detail to our communication. By understanding and practicing the usage of prepositions such as “at,” “on,” “in,” “by,” “before,” “after,” “during,” and “since,” you can enhance your fluency and accuracy in English. Remember to pay attention to context, watch out for common pitfalls, and practice regularly. With time and dedication, you will find yourself using prepositions of time with confidence and ease. Happy learning!