When learning English, mastering prepositions can be one of the more challenging aspects, especially prepositions of time. These small words play a crucial role in conveying when something happens. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the most common prepositions of time, their usage, and examples to help you understand and use them correctly.
Understanding Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are words used to indicate when something happens. They are essential in providing context and clarity in sentences. The most frequently used prepositions of time are at, on, and in. Each has specific rules and contexts in which it is used.
Using “At”
The preposition at is used to specify a precise time or a specific point in time. Here are some common usages:
1. **Clock Times:** Use at with exact times on the clock.
– Example: “The meeting starts at 3:00 PM.”
2. **Festivals and Holidays:** Use at with festivals or holidays without the word “day.”
– Example: “We usually gather at Christmas.”
3. **Meal Times:** Use at with meal times.
– Example: “I will see you at dinner.”
4. **Specific Moments:** Use at with specific moments in the day.
– Example: “He wakes up at dawn.”
Using “On”
The preposition on is used to specify days and dates. Here are the primary contexts:
1. **Days of the Week:** Use on with days of the week.
– Example: “She will visit us on Monday.”
2. **Specific Dates:** Use on with complete dates.
– Example: “The event is on September 15th.”
3. **Days + Part of the Day:** Use on with days combined with parts of the day.
– Example: “We have a meeting on Friday morning.”
4. **Specific Holidays:** Use on with holidays that include the word “day.”
– Example: “We celebrate on New Year’s Day.”
Using “In”
The preposition in is used for longer periods of time, such as months, years, centuries, and long periods. Here are the key usages:
1. **Months:** Use in with months.
– Example: “She was born in July.”
2. **Years:** Use in with years.
– Example: “The company was founded in 1990.”
3. **Decades and Centuries:** Use in with decades and centuries.
– Example: “This style was popular in the 1990s.”
4. **Seasons:** Use in with seasons.
– Example: “We go skiing in winter.”
5. **Parts of the Day:** Use in with parts of the day, except when using night.
– Example: “I like to jog in the morning.”
Other Prepositions of Time
While at, on, and in are the most common prepositions of time, there are several others worth mentioning. These include by, until, during, for, since, from, to, and within.
Using “By”
The preposition by is used to indicate a deadline or a specific time before which something must be done.
1. **Deadlines:** Use by to specify a deadline.
– Example: “Submit the report by Friday.”
2. **Specific Time:** Use by to indicate a particular time.
– Example: “She should arrive by 6 PM.”
Using “Until”
The preposition until is used to indicate a continuous action up to a certain point in time.
1. **Duration:** Use until to show how long something continues.
– Example: “The shop is open until 9 PM.”
Using “During”
The preposition during is used to indicate a period in which an event occurs.
1. **Period of Time:** Use during to specify a period.
– Example: “We met during the summer.”
Using “For”
The preposition for is used to indicate the duration of an action.
1. **Duration:** Use for to specify how long something lasts.
– Example: “He lived in Spain for two years.”
Using “Since”
The preposition since is used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues to the present.
1. **Starting Point:** Use since to specify when something began.
– Example: “They have been friends since childhood.”
Using “From” and “To”
The prepositions from and to are used to indicate the start and end points of a period.
1. **Start and End Points:** Use from and to to specify the beginning and end of an action.
– Example: “The exhibition is open from 10 AM to 5 PM.”
Using “Within”
The preposition within is used to indicate a time frame within which something happens.
1. **Time Frame:** Use within to specify a period.
– Example: “You should receive a reply within a week.”
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning prepositions of time can be tricky, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common errors and tips to avoid them:
1. **Mixing up “at,” “on,” and “in”:**
– Incorrect: “I will see you on 3 PM.”
– Correct: “I will see you at 3 PM.”
– Tip: Remember that at is used for precise times, on for days and dates, and in for longer periods.
2. **Using “in” instead of “on” for days:**
– Incorrect: “We will meet in Monday.”
– Correct: “We will meet on Monday.”
– Tip: Use on for specific days of the week.
3. **Confusing “since” and “for”:**
– Incorrect: “I have lived here since five years.”
– Correct: “I have lived here for five years.”
– Tip: Use since for the starting point and for for the duration.
4. **Using “during” instead of “for”:**
– Incorrect: “I stayed there during three weeks.”
– Correct: “I stayed there for three weeks.”
– Tip: Use during to indicate a period within which something happens and for to indicate the length of time.
Practice Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of prepositions of time, here are some practice exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct prepositions of time.
1. The party starts ___ 8 PM.
2. She was born ___ 1995.
3. I will see you ___ Monday.
4. They have been waiting ___ morning.
5. The store is open ___ 9 AM ___ 9 PM.
6. He has been studying ___ three hours.
7. We met ___ the conference.
8. The deadline is ___ Friday.
9. The course runs ___ January ___ March.
10. She has been working here ___ 2010.
Answers to Practice Exercises
1. The party starts at 8 PM.
2. She was born in 1995.
3. I will see you on Monday.
4. They have been waiting since morning.
5. The store is open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
6. He has been studying for three hours.
7. We met during the conference.
8. The deadline is by Friday.
9. The course runs from January to March.
10. She has been working here since 2010.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time is crucial for effective communication in English. These small words carry significant meaning and can drastically change the context of a sentence. By understanding and practicing the use of at, on, in, and other prepositions of time, you will improve your fluency and accuracy in English.
Remember, practice is key. Use the examples and exercises provided in this article to test your knowledge and reinforce your learning. With time and effort, you’ll find that using prepositions of time becomes second nature. Happy learning!
