Prepositions of time are essential elements in English grammar that indicate when something happens. Understanding these prepositions helps you describe the timing of actions and events accurately. The most commonly used prepositions of time include: at, on, in, by, until, for, since, during, and from…to. Let’s delve into each of these prepositions with clear explanations and examples.
1. At
“At” is used to indicate specific times or precise moments.
- Example 1: “The meeting starts at 3 PM.”
- This sentence specifies the exact time the meeting begins.
- Example 2: “She usually wakes up at dawn.”
- “Dawn” is a specific time in the morning.
2. On
“On” is used for days and dates.
- Example 1: “We have a family dinner on Friday.”
- This sentence specifies the day of the week for the dinner.
- Example 2: “Her birthday is on April 5th.”
- “April 5th” is a specific date.
3. In
“In” is used for longer periods, such as months, years, centuries, and long durations.
- Example 1: “We usually go on vacation in July.”
- This sentence specifies the month of the vacation.
- Example 2: “The company was founded in 1990.”
- “1990” is a specific year.
4. By
“By” is used to indicate a deadline or a time by which something should be done.
- Example 1: “Please submit your assignment by Friday.”
- This sentence specifies the deadline for the assignment.
- Example 2: “She will be home by 6 PM.”
- “6 PM” is the latest time she will be home.
5. Until
“Until” (or “till”) is used to indicate a continuous period up to a certain point in time.
- Example 1: “The store is open until 9 PM.”
- This sentence specifies that the store remains open up to 9 PM.
- Example 2: “He will stay here until the end of the month.”
- “The end of the month” marks the endpoint of his stay.
6. For
“For” is used to indicate the duration of an action or event.
- Example 1: “She has lived here for five years.”
- This sentence specifies the length of time she has lived in that place.
- Example 2: “He will be on vacation for two weeks.”
- “Two weeks” specifies the duration of his vacation.
7. Since
“Since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues up to the present.
- Example 1: “They have been friends since childhood.”
- This sentence specifies that their friendship started in childhood and continues to the present.
- Example 2: “She has been working here since 2018.”
- “2018” marks the starting point of her employment.
8. During
“During” is used to indicate a period within which an action takes place.
- Example 1: “She met him during the conference.”
- This sentence specifies that the meeting happened within the time frame of the conference.
- Example 2: “They stayed indoors during the storm.”
- “The storm” indicates the time period of their stay indoors.
9. From…To
“From…To” is used to indicate the beginning and end of a time period.
- Example 1: “The event will run from 10 AM to 4 PM.”
- This sentence specifies the start and end times of the event.
- Example 2: “She worked at the company from 2010 to 2015.”
- “2010” and “2015” mark the start and end years of her employment.
Examples in Sentences
- At:
- “I’ll meet you at noon.”
- On:
- “The concert is on Saturday.”
- In:
- “We moved here in 2020.”
- By:
- “Finish your work by next Monday.”
- Until:
- “Stay here until I return.”
- For:
- “They talked for hours.”
- Since:
- “She’s been learning Spanish since last year.”
- During:
- “I read a lot of books during the holidays.”
- From…To:
- “The museum is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.”
Conclusion
Prepositions of time are vital for expressing when actions and events take place. Using them correctly ensures clarity and precision in communication. By understanding and practicing the use of “at,” “on,” “in,” “by,” “until,” “for,” “since,” “during,” and “from…to,” you can enhance your ability to describe time-related concepts accurately in English.
