Prepositions are an essential part of the English language, and they can sometimes be tricky for language learners to master. Prepositions for time are especially important because they help us clarify when events happen, whether they are in the past, present, or future. In this article, we’ll dive deeply into the different prepositions used for expressing time, including their correct usage and common mistakes to avoid. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to use these prepositions accurately and effectively.
Basic Prepositions for Time
Let’s start with the three most common prepositions for time: in, on, and at. Each of these prepositions has specific rules and contexts where they are used.
In
The preposition in is generally used for longer periods of time, such as months, years, decades, centuries, and long periods like seasons or parts of the day. Here are some examples to illustrate:
– Months: “I was born in July.”
– Years: “She graduated in 2020.”
– Decades: “The company was founded in the 1990s.”
– Centuries: “Many significant events happened in the 20th century.”
– Seasons: “We go skiing in the winter.”
– Parts of the day: “I usually exercise in the morning.”
It’s important to note that when referring to parts of the day, in is used for morning, afternoon, and evening, but not for night. For night, we use at.
On
The preposition on is used for specific days and dates. This includes days of the week, dates, and special days like holidays. Here are some examples:
– Days of the week: “I have a meeting on Monday.”
– Dates: “Her birthday is on October 10th.”
– Holidays: “We always travel on Christmas Day.”
In addition, on can also be used for specific parts of days when they are named, such as “on Monday morning” or “on Tuesday evening.”
At
The preposition at is used for precise times and certain fixed phrases. Here are some examples:
– Exact times: “The train arrives at 3:00 PM.”
– Mealtimes: “Let’s meet at lunchtime.”
– Expressions like “at the moment,” “at noon,” “at midnight,” and “at night.”
Other Prepositions for Time
While in, on, and at are the most common, there are other prepositions that are used to express time. These include before, after, during, until, by, and within.
Before
The preposition before is used to indicate an event that happens earlier than another event or a specific point in time. For example:
– “Finish your homework before dinner.”
– “She always jogs before sunrise.”
After
The preposition after is used to indicate an event that happens later than another event or a specific point in time. For example:
– “We can go out after the meeting.”
– “He took a nap after lunch.”
During
The preposition during is used to indicate an event that happens within a specific period of time. For example:
– “We stayed indoors during the storm.”
– “She learned a lot during her internship.”
Until
The preposition until (or till) is used to indicate that something continues up to a certain point in time. For example:
– “The store is open until 9 PM.”
– “I waited until she arrived.”
By
The preposition by is used to indicate a deadline or the latest time something can happen. For example:
– “Submit your assignment by Friday.”
– “She needs to finish the report by noon.”
Within
The preposition within is used to indicate that something happens inside a specific time frame. For example:
– “You will receive a response within 24 hours.”
– “Complete the project within a week.”
Common Mistakes and Tips
Using prepositions for time correctly can be challenging, and even advanced learners sometimes make mistakes. Here are some common errors and tips to avoid them:
Confusing “in” and “on”
One common mistake is confusing the use of in and on. Remember that in is used for longer periods (months, years, seasons) and on is used for specific days and dates.
– Incorrect: “I will visit you on July.”
– Correct: “I will visit you in July.”
Mixing Up “at” and “in” for Parts of the Day
Another common error is using at instead of in for parts of the day like morning, afternoon, and evening.
– Incorrect: “I study at the morning.”
– Correct: “I study in the morning.”
Remember, at is used for precise times and fixed phrases like “at night.”
Using “during” for Specific Times
Learners sometimes use during when they should use in, on, or at for specific times.
– Incorrect: “I will call you during 5 PM.”
– Correct: “I will call you at 5 PM.”
Exercises for Practice
To solidify your understanding of prepositions for time, here are some exercises to practice. Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition (in, on, at, before, after, during, until, by, within):
1. She always wakes up _______ 6:00 AM.
2. I was born _______ November.
3. We have a meeting _______ Tuesday.
4. The movie starts _______ 8 PM.
5. He will finish the project _______ a week.
6. They stayed silent _______ the entire presentation.
7. Please submit your application _______ Friday.
8. We waited _______ the rain stopped.
9. She lived in Paris _______ the 1990s.
10. The shop is open _______ midnight.
Answers:
1. at
2. in
3. on
4. at
5. within
6. during
7. by
8. until
9. in
10. until
Advanced Usage and Nuances
As you become more comfortable with basic prepositions for time, you may encounter more advanced usage and nuances. Understanding these subtleties can help you achieve a higher level of fluency.
Expressions with “in” and “on”
There are specific expressions where “in” and “on” are used in ways that might not seem intuitive at first. For example:
– “In time” vs. “On time”: “In time” means early enough, often with some time to spare, while “on time” means exactly at the scheduled time.
– “She arrived just in time for the meeting.”
– “The train left on time.”
Using “by” in Different Contexts
“By” can be used in different contexts to convey slightly different meanings. For example:
– “By” + specific time: This indicates a deadline.
– “I need to finish this report by 5 PM.”
– “By the time”: This expression is used to indicate that something has happened before a certain event.
– “By the time we arrived, the party was over.”
Combining Prepositions for Precision
Sometimes, you might need to combine prepositions for more precise time expressions:
– “From…to/until”: This combination is used to indicate the start and end of a time period.
– “The store is open from 9 AM to 6 PM.”
– “I will be on vacation from Monday until Friday.”
– “Between…and”: This is used to specify a range.
– “The event will take place between 2 PM and 4 PM.”
Conclusion
Understanding and using prepositions for time correctly is crucial for clear and accurate communication in English. By mastering the use of in, on, and at, along with other prepositions like before, after, during, until, by, and within, you’ll be able to express time-related information confidently and precisely.
Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to common mistakes. With time and effort, you’ll find that using these prepositions becomes second nature. Keep practicing and don’t hesitate to revisit this guide whenever you need a refresher. Happy learning!
