Prepositions of time are a fundamental part of the English language, serving as crucial connectors that help us to convey when something occurs. Mastering these prepositions is essential for anyone who wants to speak or write English accurately and effectively. In this article, we will delve into the most common prepositions of time, their uses, and some tips to help you remember them. By the end, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to use these prepositions in your daily communication.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words that connect nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other parts of a sentence to indicate when something happens. The most commonly used prepositions of time in English are at, in, and on. Each of these prepositions has specific rules and contexts in which it is used.
Using “At”
The preposition at is used to denote a specific point in time. It is often used with precise times on the clock, holidays, and other specific moments. Here are some examples to illustrate its use:
– We will meet at 3 PM.
– The store opens at 9 AM.
– I like to read at night.
– The party is at Christmas.
Notice that at is employed when referring to a particular time of day or a specific event. It is not used for longer periods like months or years.
Using “In”
The preposition in is used for longer periods of time such as months, years, centuries, and long durations. It is also used for parts of the day and seasons. Here are some examples:
– She was born in 1990.
– We will go on vacation in July.
– They moved to a new house in the summer.
– I like to jog in the morning.
One way to remember this rule is to think of in as being used for intervals of time that are general and not exact.
Using “On”
The preposition on is used for specific days and dates. This includes days of the week, specific dates, and special days. Here are a few examples:
– She will arrive on Monday.
– We celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.
– I have a meeting on Friday morning.
– He was born on New Year’s Day.
In these cases, on is used to specify an exact day or date.
Common Challenges and Tips
While the rules for using at, in, and on seem straightforward, learners often find them confusing. Here are some common challenges and tips to overcome them:
Confusing “In” and “On” for Dates
One common mistake is using in instead of on for specific dates. For instance, saying “I have an appointment in September 21st” is incorrect. It should be “I have an appointment on September 21st.”
**Tip:** Remember that on is for specific days and dates. If you can pinpoint the exact day something happens, use on.
Using “At” for General Times of Day
Another frequent error is using at for general times of the day instead of in. For example, “I exercise at the morning” is incorrect. The correct form is “I exercise in the morning.”
**Tip:** Use in for parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) and at for specific times (at 7 AM, at noon).
Mixing Up Prepositions for Holidays
Learners often mix up prepositions when talking about holidays. For example, “We will visit them in Christmas” is incorrect. The correct usage is “We will visit them at Christmas.”
**Tip:** Use at for holidays without the word “day” (at Christmas, at Easter) and on for holidays with “day” (on Christmas Day, on Easter Sunday).
Advanced Uses of Prepositions of Time
Once you’re comfortable with the basic rules, you can explore more advanced uses of prepositions of time. Here are some nuanced ways to use these prepositions:
Using “By” and “Until”
By and until are often used to indicate deadlines and the duration of time up to a certain point.
– By: Indicates a deadline or a specific time something must be done.
– Example: Please submit your report by Friday.
– Until: Indicates the duration of an action up to a specific point in time.
– Example: We waited until midnight for them to arrive.
**Tip:** Think of by as the latest point something can happen and until as the continuous period leading up to that point.
Using “During” and “Throughout”
During and throughout are used to express that something happens within a particular period.
– During: Used to say that something happens within a specific period of time.
– Example: I read a lot of books during the summer.
– Throughout: Indicates that something happens continuously over an entire period.
– Example: He was happy throughout the whole trip.
**Tip:** Use during for events that occur at some point in a period and throughout for actions that span the entire period.
Using “For” and “Since”
For and since are often used to talk about the duration of time.
– For: Indicates a specific length of time.
– Example: We stayed at the hotel for three nights.
– Since: Indicates the starting point of an action that continues to the present.
– Example: She has been working here since 2010.
**Tip:** Use for when you are talking about the duration, and since when you are referring to the starting point.
Using “Ago” and “From…to”
Ago and from…to are used to indicate past time periods.
– Ago: Indicates a specific time in the past from the present moment.
– Example: I met her two years ago.
– From…to: Indicates the start and end points of a period.
– Example: They lived in New York from 2005 to 2010.
**Tip:** Use ago to refer to how long ago something happened and from…to to specify the beginning and end of a time period.
Practice Makes Perfect
To truly master prepositions of time, practice is essential. Here are a few exercises you can try:
Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises
Complete the sentences with the correct preposition of time:
1. We will meet ___ 6 PM.
2. She was born ___ January.
3. The meeting is ___ Monday.
4. They stayed in Paris ___ two weeks.
5. I haven’t seen her ___ last year.
Answers:
1. at
2. in
3. on
4. for
5. since
Sentence Transformation
Transform the following sentences by using a different preposition of time:
1. We will see you at the weekend. (Change to “on”)
2. She has been waiting since two hours. (Change to “for”)
3. The class starts in 9 AM. (Change to “at”)
4. He was working during the night. (Change to “throughout”)
5. They traveled from 2010 to 2015. (Change to “between”)
Answers:
1. We will see you on the weekend.
2. She has been waiting for two hours.
3. The class starts at 9 AM.
4. He was working throughout the night.
5. They traveled between 2010 and 2015.
Writing Exercise
Write a short paragraph about your daily routine, making sure to use prepositions of time correctly. For example:
“I wake up at 7 AM every day. In the morning, I go for a run. I start work at 9 AM. During lunch, I usually read a book. I finish work at 5 PM and relax in the evening. I go to bed at 10 PM.”
Conclusion
Prepositions of time are essential for conveying accurate information about when things happen. While it may seem daunting at first, with practice and careful attention to the rules, you can master their use. Remember to use at for specific times, in for longer periods, and on for specific days and dates. Don’t forget to explore advanced prepositions like by, until, during, throughout, for, since, ago, and from…to for more nuanced expressions of time. Happy learning!
