Prepositions of time

1. What is a preposition of time?

A preposition of time is a word that links a noun, pronoun, or phrase to another part of a sentence to indicate a specific time or period when an action takes place.

2. List of prepositions of time

Below is a list of common prepositions of time in English.

3. Preposition of time usage

3. 1. Points in time

Prepositions: at, on, in

These prepositions specify exact moments or points in time, often used to answer "When?" questions:

1. She will meet us at noon.
2. The store opens on Monday.
3. They graduated in 2020.

3.2. Duration

Prepositions: for, since, throughout, during

These prepositions indicate how long an event or activity continues:

1. The project ran for three months.
2. He has been living here since 2018.
3. The construction will continue throughout the summer.
4. He was sleeping during the entire movie.

3.3 Frequency

Prepositions: every, once, on

These prepositions specify how often something occurs, indicating a regular pattern or habit:

1. They meet every Friday.
2. The train arrives once a day.
3. We see them on weekends.

3.4. Sequence and order

Prepositions: after, before, between

Prepositions that help place events in order relative to each other:

1. Let's eat after the meeting.
2. The group went for coffee before class.
3. They came between 5 and 6 PM.

3.5. Approximate time

Prepositions: around, about, by

Prepositions used to suggest an approximate or general period:

1. He called around midnight.
2. The package arrived about noon.
3. We finished by early evening.

3.6. Boundaries in time

Prepositions: until, since, from

These prepositions indicate a timeframe with starting and/or ending points:

1. I can work until 5 PM.
2. She has lived here since last year.
3. He was out from 9 to 11 AM.

3.7. Occasions or events

Prepositions: on, during

Used to link actions to specific occasions or events, often cultural, traditional, or life events:

1. They get together on Christmas.
2. We celebrate during the festival.
3. She called on her birthday.

3.8. Continuous time

Prepositions: through, throughout, until

These prepositions indicate an event that spans a continuous time period:

1. He worked through the night.
2. The lights are on throughout the evening.
3. She stayed up until sunrise.

3.9. Deadline or expected time completion

Prepositions: by, before

These prepositions specify when something is due or expected:

1. The report is due by Monday.
2. Submit your application before noon.
3. They hoped to arrive by sunset.

3.10. Historical or life periods

Prepositions: in, during

These are used to describe events that took place during specific historical or life periods:

1. My grandparents lived in the 1950s.
2. She was born during the winter.
3. He traveled in his early twenties.