English Grammar: Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of Time

Table of Contents

1. What Are Prepositions of Time?

Prepositions of time are words that link nouns or pronouns to a specific time period, indicating when something happened or will happen. These prepositions provide important information about the timing of an action. Common prepositions of time include “at,” “in,” and “on.”

2. “At” for Specific Points in Time

The preposition “at” is used to refer to specific points in time. It is commonly used with clock times, holidays, and specific moments in the day. Here are some examples:

  1. I have a meeting at 9 a.m.
  2. She arrived at midnight.
  3. Let’s meet at Christmas.

3. “In” for Months, Years, Seasons, and General Time Periods

The preposition “in” is used when we refer to months, years, seasons, and general time periods. Take a look at these examples:

  1. My birthday is in October.
  2. We’ll go on vacation in the summer.
  3. The company was established in 2005.

4. “On” for Days and Dates

The preposition “on” is used to specify days and dates. It is used when we refer to a particular day of the week or a specific date. Here are some examples:

  1. I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday.
  2. The party is on June 5th.
  3. She was born on Valentine’s Day.

5. “Before” and “After” for Relative Time

Apart from the prepositions “at,” “in,” and “on,” we also use “before” and “after” to express relative time. These prepositions help us understand the sequence of events. Let’s see some examples:

  1. We had breakfast before leaving.
  2. She called me after the meeting.
  3. Please finish your homework before bedtime.

6. “During” for Activities within a Time Period

The preposition “during” is used to express actions or activities that happen within a specific time period. It helps us understand the duration of an event. Take a look at these examples:

  1. I fell asleep during the movie.
  2. He studied hard during the semester.
  3. They enjoyed their vacation during the summer.

7. “Throughout” for the Entire Duration

The preposition “throughout” is used to indicate that something happens continuously or repeatedly during the entire duration of a time period. Here are some examples:

  1. She smiled throughout the performance.
  2. We heard the fireworks throughout the night.
  3. The conference lasted throughout the weekend.

8. “By” for Deadlines

The preposition “by” is used when we want to specify a deadline or a specific point in the future when something should be completed. Here are a few examples:

  1. Please submit your report by Friday.
  2. He promised to finish the project by the end of the month.
  3. I need to buy groceries by tomorrow.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Prepositions of time are words that indicate when an action occurred or will occur. They establish a relationship between nouns or pronouns and specific time periods.

Some common prepositions of time include “at,” “in,” “on,” “before,” “after,” “during,” “throughout,” and “by.”

Prepositions of time are used to provide information about when something happened. For example, “I will meet you at 5 p.m.” or “The concert is on Saturday.”

No, prepositions of time have specific uses. “At” is used for specific points in time, “in” for months, years, and general time periods, and “on” for days and dates. “Before,” “after,” “during,” “throughout,” and “by” have their own specific uses as well.

Understanding prepositions of time helps in accurate communication, ensuring that the timing of an action is conveyed correctly. It is an important aspect of English grammar.

scroll to top