Prepositions are essential in the English language, serving as connectors that provide clarity and detail to sentences. One of the most critical uses of prepositions is to indicate time. Understanding how to use these prepositions correctly can significantly enhance your fluency and precision in English. In this article, we will explore the most common prepositions indicating time, their uses, and the nuances that differentiate them.
Common Prepositions Indicating Time
Several prepositions are frequently used to indicate time, including “in,” “on,” “at,” “by,” “before,” “after,” “during,” “for,” “since,” and “until.” Each of these prepositions has specific rules and contexts where they are appropriately used.
In
The preposition “in” is used to denote longer periods of time such as months, years, centuries, and long periods in general.
– **Months:** “I was born in July.”
– **Years:** “She graduated in 2020.”
– **Centuries:** “Many inventions were created in the 20th century.”
– **Long periods:** “He will return in a few weeks.”
“In” is also used for parts of the day, except for when we refer to specific times (then we use “at”).
– **Parts of the day:** “I prefer jogging in the morning.”
On
The preposition “on” is used for days and dates. It is more specific than “in” and is used to pinpoint an exact day or date within a given period.
– **Days:** “I have a meeting on Monday.”
– **Dates:** “My birthday is on September 5th.”
“On” is also used for specific days of the week and holidays when the word “day” is included.
– **Specific days:** “We will have a party on Christmas Day.”
At
The preposition “at” is used to indicate specific points in time. It is the most precise of the three main prepositions (in, on, at) and is used for exact times, holidays without “day,” and specific points of time.
– **Exact times:** “The train arrives at 6 PM.”
– **Holidays without “day”:** “We open presents at Christmas.”
– **Specific points in time:** “He left the party at midnight.”
By
“By” is used to indicate the latest time at which something will happen or be done. It implies that the action will be completed sometime before or at the specified time.
– **Deadline:** “Please submit your report by Friday.”
– **End of a period:** “She plans to finish the project by the end of the month.”
Before and After
“Before” and “after” are used to indicate that one event happens earlier or later than another.
– **Before:** “I always drink coffee before starting work.”
– **After:** “We went for dinner after the movie.”
During
“During” is used to specify a period of time in which something happens. It focuses on the duration within which an event occurs.
– **During:** “She visited many countries during her gap year.”
For
“For” is used to indicate the duration of time over which an action occurs. It answers the question “how long?”.
– **Duration:** “He studied French for two years.”
Since
“Since” is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues into the present. It often pairs with the present perfect tense.
– **Starting point:** “She has been working here since 2015.”
Until
“Until” (or “till”) is used to indicate the time up to a specific point. It shows the endpoint of a duration.
– **Endpoint:** “The store is open until 9 PM.”
Nuances and Special Cases
Understanding the primary uses of these prepositions is essential, but there are also nuances and special cases that learners should be aware of.
In vs. At for Places
When “in” and “at” are used to refer to places in the context of time, “in” refers to a more general area while “at” refers to a specific point.
– **In:** “He is in the building.”
– **At:** “She is waiting at the entrance.”
In the Morning vs. At Night
While we say “in the morning,” “in the afternoon,” and “in the evening,” we use “at night.”
– **Morning:** “I usually exercise in the morning.”
– **Night:** “I read a book at night.”
By vs. Until
“By” and “until” can sometimes be confusing. “By” is used to indicate a deadline, while “until” is used to denote the continuation of an action up to a certain point.
– **By:** “Finish the assignment by Monday.” (Deadline)
– **Until:** “I will be here until Monday.” (Continuation up to a point)
Practical Applications and Exercises
To master the use of time-indicating prepositions, it is crucial to practice through various exercises and real-life applications.
Fill-in-the-Blank Exercises
Complete the following sentences with the correct preposition (in, on, at, by, before, after, during, for, since, until):
1. We will meet ____ 3 PM.
2. She has lived here ____ 2010.
3. I will finish the project ____ Friday.
4. He always drinks tea ____ the morning.
5. The show starts ____ 8 PM.
6. We traveled around Europe ____ the summer.
7. He waited ____ an hour.
8. The meeting was scheduled ____ the afternoon.
9. They have been friends ____ childhood.
10. The store is open ____ 9 AM to 5 PM.
Sentence Transformation
Rewrite the following sentences using a different time-indicating preposition:
1. I will call you before the meeting.
– I will call you ____ the meeting starts.
2. She has been studying since 5 PM.
– She started studying ____ 5 PM.
3. The concert will end at midnight.
– The concert will be over ____ midnight.
4. He will arrive by Friday.
– He will arrive ____ Friday at the latest.
5. They worked during the night.
– They worked ____ the night.
Real-Life Application
Try to incorporate these prepositions into your daily conversations and writing. Describe your schedule, plans, or past events using the appropriate time-indicating prepositions. For instance:
– “I usually start my day at 7 AM. In the morning, I go for a run. I have meetings during the afternoon, and I relax in the evening. I often read a book at night before going to bed.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learners often make mistakes when using time-indicating prepositions due to their subtle differences and specific rules. Here are some common mistakes and tips to avoid them:
Mixing Up “In” and “On”
Learners frequently confuse “in” and “on” when referring to dates and days. Remember that “in” is for longer periods (months, years) and “on” is for specific days and dates.
– Incorrect: “I was born on July.”
– Correct: “I was born in July.”
Using “At” for Months and Years
Using “at” for months and years is another common error. “At” should be reserved for specific times and points.
– Incorrect: “She graduated at 2020.”
– Correct: “She graduated in 2020.”
Confusing “By” and “Until”
The distinction between “by” and “until” can be tricky. Remember that “by” indicates a deadline, while “until” shows the continuation up to a point.
– Incorrect: “I will stay here by 9 PM.”
– Correct: “I will stay here until 9 PM.”
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions indicating time is crucial for achieving fluency in English. These small but powerful words can significantly impact the clarity and precision of your communication. By understanding the rules and practicing regularly, you can avoid common mistakes and use these prepositions with confidence. Whether you are discussing your schedule, making plans, or recounting past events, the correct use of time-indicating prepositions will enhance your ability to convey information accurately and effectively. So, keep practicing, and soon you’ll find these prepositions becoming second nature in your everyday language use.
