What Are Prepositions of Time?
Prepositions of time are words that connect events or actions to specific moments or periods. They answer questions like “When did it happen?” or “For how long?” The most common prepositions of time in English are at, on, and in, but others such as by, until, during, since, and for are also frequently used.
How to Use “At”, “On”, and “In” Correctly
Using “At”
“At” is used for precise times or specific points in time. Here are some examples:
- At 6 o’clock
- At midnight
- At lunchtime
- At the moment
Remember: Use “at” when you want to refer to a specific time of day or a particular moment.
Using “On”
“On” is used for days and dates. Here are some examples:
- On Monday
- On Christmas Day
- On my birthday
- On June 1st
If you’re talking about a specific day or date, “on” is the correct choice.
Using “In”
“In” is used for longer periods of time such as months, years, centuries, seasons, and parts of the day. Examples include:
- In January
- In 2024
- In the 21st century
- In the morning
- In summer
Use “in” for something that happens within a certain time frame that is not very specific.
Other Common Prepositions of Time
By
“By” indicates a deadline or the latest possible time something will happen. For example:
- Please finish your homework by Friday.
- I will be home by 6 PM.
Until / Till
“Until” or “till” shows that something continues up to a certain time:
- We waited until midnight.
- The shop is open till 10 PM.
For
“For” is used to show the length of time something lasts:
- We have lived here for five years.
- She studied for three hours.
Since
“Since” is used to refer to the starting point of an action that continues to the present:
- I have known him since 2010.
- She has been working here since January.
During
“During” is used to say that something happens within a specific period or event:
- We met during the conference.
- He fell asleep during the movie.
Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time
Even advanced English learners sometimes make mistakes with prepositions of time. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Do not say “in Monday” or “at Monday” – always use “on Monday”.
- Do not use “at” with months or years – it should be “in July” or “in 2024”.
- Do not say “since five years” – use “for five years” for duration, and “since 2019” for the starting point.
Quick Reference Table
| Preposition | Used For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| at | Specific times | at 9 AM, at noon, at night |
| on | Days and dates | on Monday, on July 4th |
| in | Months, years, seasons, periods | in June, in 2021, in winter, in the morning |
| by | Deadlines | by 5 PM, by tomorrow |
| until/till | Up to a point in time | until Friday, till noon |
| for | Duration | for two hours, for three weeks |
| since | Starting point | since 2015, since morning |
| during | Within a period/event | during the class, during summer |
Tips for Mastering Prepositions of Time
- Practice regularly: Use new examples in your speaking and writing to reinforce your understanding.
- Notice patterns: Pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions of time in conversations, books, or movies.
- Use language learning tools: Apps like Talkpal offer interactive exercises and AI-powered feedback to help you master tricky prepositions.
- Don’t be afraid to ask: If you’re unsure about a sentence, ask your teacher or language exchange partner for clarification.
Conclusion
Understanding and using prepositions of time correctly is essential for clear and accurate communication in English. By remembering the rules and practicing regularly, you can avoid common mistakes and express yourself more naturally. Keep these tips and examples in mind, and make the most of resources like Talkpal to accelerate your progress. With consistent effort, mastering prepositions of time will become second nature in your English learning journey.
