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Prepositions of time in sentences

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Learn more about different types of prepositions using our step-by-step guide.
 

Table of contents

1. What are prepositions of time?

2. List of prepositions of time

3. Usage

3.1. Points in time

3.2. Duration

3.3 Frequency

3.4. Sequence and order

3.5. Approximate time

3.6. Boundaries in time

3.7. Occasions or events

3.8. Continuous time

3.9. Deadline

3.10. Life periods

1. What are prepositions of time?

Prepositions of time are words that link a noun, pronoun, or phrase to another part of a sentence to indicate a specific period when an action takes place.

Prepositions of time with 27 example usage of in, at, and on in sentences

2. List of prepositions of time

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

  1. at
  2. in
  3. on
  4. during
  5. for
  6. since
  7. until
  8. before
  9. after
  10. by

3. Usage

3.1. Points in time

We use at, on, and in to specify exact moments. They are used to answer "When questions".

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

3.1.1. 'At' in a sentence

We use at to indicate a precise time or to refer to a specific point in time. In addition, we use at before the words the weekend.

Precise time
  1. at 8 AM.
  2. at 2 PM.
  3. at 6 o’clock.

Examples

I have a meeting at 10 AM.
We’ll meet at the restaurant at 7 PM.
We have to leave at 11 AM.
The train to Hamburg leaves at 6 o’clock.
We’ll arrive in Hamburg at quarter past eleven.

Specific points in time
  1. at noon.
  2. at midday.
  3. at lunchtime.
  4. at night.
  5. at midnight.
  6. at the end of the week.
  7. at the end of the month.
  8. at the end of the year.

 

Examples

She always has lunch at noon.
People wish each other a happy new year at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
I don’t like to work late at night.
He is going to New York at the end of the week.
I usually receive my salary at the end of the month.
If you work hard, you will receive a bonus at the end of the year.
I’ll call you at lunchtime.

at the end of the day is an idiom. We use it to express a final conclusion or outcome of a long or complicated process. We often say at the end of the day before talking about what we think is the most important thing about a situation.

Examples

I know it’s hard to make a decision, but at the end of the day, you have to do what feels right for you. Arrow icon This means that, ultimately, the decision should be based on your own feelings and intuition.
At the end of the day, it’s important to prioritise your health above everything else. Arrow icon This means that, regardless of external pressures or expectations, taking care of your well-being should be your top priority.
Before the weekend
  1. at the weekend.

 

Examples

We’re planning to have a barbecue at the weekend if the weather is nice.
He’s going to visit his family at the weekend.

We do not use any preposition before “this weekend”.

Examples

Le’s go to the beach this weekend.
Somebody is going to clean the house this weekend.
My parents is visiting me this weekend.
What are you doing this weekend?

3.2.2 'In' in a sentence

We use the preposition in to indicate time duration, different parts of the days, months, seasons, years, specific decades, centuries, or specific points in time.

Time duration
  1. in three minutes
  2. in two hours
  3. in six days
  4. in three months
  5. in two years
  6. in a moment
  7. in an instant
  8. in a second

Examples

We’ll be there in a few hours.
I’ll see you in a moment.
I’ll be ready in three minutes.
Le’s meet at the bus station in two hours.
My birthday is in two days.
In an instant, her facial expression changed.
I’ll be with you in a second.
I’ll see you in three weeks.

Different parts of the days
  1. in the morning
  2. in the afternoon
  3. in the evening
  4. in the middle of the day
  5. in the middle of the night

Examples

He left today early in the morning.
I have an English class in the afternoon.
Today, there is an interesting documentary on BBC at 10 o’clock in the evening.
Do you have time to cook in the middle of the day?
I was woken up by a loud noise in the middle of the night.

Months
  1. in January
  2. in February
  3. in March
  4. in April
  5. in December

Examples

I’m going to Leiden in January.
My son was born in February.
Many people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in March by wearing green and enjoying festive activities.
The company will start selling its new products in September this year.
They’ll get married in October.
It rains a lot here in December.

Seasons
  1. in winter
  2. in spring
  3. in summer
  4. in autumn

Examples

It’s cold in winter.
It doesn’t snow here in winter.
Flowers bloom in spring.
In California, the temperature is mild and pleasant in spring.
I plan to visit Mauritius in the summer.
It’s really hot here in summer.
The leaves are so colourful in autumn.

Years
  1. in 1969
  2. in 1980
  3. in 2019

Examples

In 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first person to step on the moon.
In 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down, symbolising the end of the Cold War.
In 2018, a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
The first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Wuhan in 2019.
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Specific decades
  1. in the 1970s
  2. in the 1980s
  3. in the 1990s

 

Examples

William the Conqueror was born in the 1920s.
Punk rock music emerged in the 1970s.
In the 1980s, London experienced significant social and political upheaval.

Centuries
  1. in the 18th century
  2. in the 20th century
  3. in the 21st century

Examples

In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg revolutionised the printing press method.
Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution in the 19th century.
The First World War broke out in the 20th century.
We are now in the 21st century.
Climate change is one of the main challenges facing humankind in the 21st century.

Points in time
  1. in the past
  2. in the future
  3. in the distant past
  4. in the near future
  5. in the distant future

Examples

In the past, people used handwritten letters to communicate with loved ones who lived far away.
Will humans ever be able to live on other planets in the future?
Scientists believe that dinosaurs roamed the Earth in the distant past.
Many species will become extinct in the near future if no measure is taken.
Technologies will possibly overtake humans in the distant future.

3.2.2 'On' in a sentence

We use the preposition on to refer to days of the week, days + parts of days, dates, and special days.

Days of the week
  1. on Monday
  2. on Tuesday
  3. on Wednesday
  4. on Thursday
  5. on Friday
  6. on Saturday
  7. on Sunday

Examples

I have an appointment on Monday.
My sister is coming to visit me on Tuesday.
The concert is scheduled for 7 PM on Wednesday.
I am going to take a day off on Thursday to go to the optometrist.
My boss wants to meet with me on Friday.
I am planning to start my new workout routine on Saturday.
It’s my turn to lead the liturgical service on Sunday.

Days + parts of days
  1. on Monday morning
  2. on Tuesday afternoon
  3. on Wednesday evening
  4. on Friday mornings*

 

Examples

I have an appointment on Monday morning.
Prime Minister Theresa May will give a speech at Derby College on Tuesday afternoon.
We are leaving on Wednesday evening.
I have a yoga class on Friday mornings.

* Note the plural form that indicates habits.
Dates
  1. on the 1st of June.
  2. on March 15, 2019.
  3. on December 21st.

Examples

The concert is on the 5th of March.
I was born on the 3rd of June 1985.
Barack Obama took office as the 44th President of the United States of America on January 20, 2009.
The winter solstice is on December 21st.

We plan to launch the new product in October 2023. In this sentence, October 2023 refers to the time period in which the new product will be launched. Since October 2023 is a period of time and not a specific date, the preposition in is the correct one to use in this context. The preposition on is used to indicate a specific day or date, such as on October 1st, 2023.
Special days
  1. on Valentine’s Day
  2. on New Year’s Eve
  3. on Christmas Day
  4. on my birthday
  5. on St. Patrick’s Day
  6. on Remembrance Day

 

Examples

I’m going to surprise my girlfriend with a gift on Valentine’s Day.
Let’s have a big celebration on New Year's Eve!
I received a lot of gifts on my birthday this year.
I’m going to wear green on St. Patrick's Day.
People wear poppies on Remembrance Day to honour the fallen soldiers.

A poppy is the bright red flower that is worn as a symbol of remembrance for those who have died in military service.

3.2. Duration

We use for, since, throughout, and during to indicate how long something 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.

3.2.1. During

The preposition during refers to a time frame that can either cover the entire duration of a specific period or a portion of time between the beginning and end of the said period. It does not give a precision of the duration of the event.

Covering the entire duration of a specific period
  1. during the day
  2. during the night
  3. during the summer
  4. during the winter
  5. during the Second World War

Many people died during the Second World War.
The movie theatre will be closed during the renovation period from October to December*.
The school will be closed during the summer holiday.
We need to remain vigilant during cyclonic season.
The team did not perform well during the first half of the game.
He made a lot of friends during his college years.
She usually drinks coffee during her lunch break.

*Although we say from October to December, it is the words renovation period that dictate the use of the preposition during.
Covering a portion of time between the beginning and end of a specific period
  1. during the party
  2. during the movie
  3. during the night
  4. during the meeting

I lost my keys during the party last night.
I fell asleep during the movie.
We had a lot of fun during the last summer holiday.
We had a power outage during the storm last week*.
We had an accident during our trip to Paris.
There was a strong turbulence during our flight to Amsterdam.
US President Barack Obama was born during the Vietnam War.

*Sometimes it is not clear if an event covers the entire duration of the mentioned time period or just a portion of it.

3.2.2. For

We use the preposition for to indicate the duration of an action or event.

  1. We have been waiting for you for two hours.
  2. They have been dating for five years.
  3. We will be away for a week.
  4. She has been sick for two weeks.
  5. They have been working on the project for months.
  6. He has been working in the company for over a year.
  7. The UK has been a constitutional monarchy for many years.
  8. Queen Elizabeth II was in the throne for several years.

3.2.3. Since

The preposition since refers to a period of time starting at a specific point in the past and continuing up to a later point, which may be the present.

  1. They have been married since 2010.
  2. They have been friends since childhood.
  3. He has been playing the guitar since he was 10 years old.
  4. I have been working here since last year.
  5. We have been waiting for him since 8:00 am.
  6. She has been studying English since high school.
  7. Sarah has not been working since she had an accident.
  8. Sarah had an accident last year. Since then, she has not been working.
  9. It had been years since she had left school.
  10. She has been living alone since the death of her husband.

3.3 Frequency

We use every, once, and on to specify how often something occurs. They indicate habits. Let's study the examples below.

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

3.4. Sequence and order

We use after, before, between, and by to 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.

3.4.1. Examples of 'before' in a sentence

We use the preposition before to introduce an action happening later than another action. For example, in the sentence “Before you go out, make sure to close the window.”, the action of going out is happening later than the action of closing the window. First, you close the window, then you go out. We also use the preposition before to introduce a time reference before which an action or event happens.

  1. We need to get ready before noon.
  2. The coffee shop closes at 8 PM, so we need to get there before then.
  3. Before the invention of the internet, people used books to find information.
  4. Please close the door before you leave.
  5. Please arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.
  6. Before you go to bed, make sure to brush your teeth and wash your face.

3.4.2. Using the preposition 'after' in a sentence

We use 'after' to introduce an action happening earlier than another action. For example, in the sentence “I took a long nap after running a marathon yesterday.”, the action “running a marathon” happens earlier than “taking a nap”. First, you run a marathon, then you take a long nap. We also use the preposition after to introduce a time reference after which an action or event happens.

  1. The coffee shop closes after 8 PM on weekdays.
  2. I’ll call you back after the meeting.
  3. I like to take a nap after lunch.
  4. My eyes feel tired after watching a movie.
  5. We went out for a drink after the game.
  6. I cried after reading the book.
  7. After a long thought, I finally made a decision.

3.4.3. Using 'by' in a sentence

The preposition "by" means not later than. For example, the sentence “I need to send a report by July 22nd.” means that the report must be sent before July 22nd or on July 22nd at the latest.

  1. We need to be at the airport by 7 PM.
  2. Can you let me know by Friday if you want to come to the party or not?
  3. Please return the book by the due date.
  4. The package should arrive by> the end of the week.
  5. Please be at the office by 9 AM tomorrow.
  6. By the time I got to the station the bus had already left. (=The bus left before I got to the station.)
  7. You need to finish your homework by lunchtime.

3.5. Approximate time

We use around, about, and by to suggest an approximate period.

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

3.6. Boundaries in time

To specify a time frame with starting and/or ending points, we use until, since, and from.

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

3.6.1. Examples of 'until' in a sentence

Until can function as a preposition and conjunction. It acts as a preposition when it indicates a time or point at which something will happen (e.g., We will wait until noon.). However, when it connects two clauses, it serves as a conjunction (e.g., I will stay here until you return.). Sometimes, it is abbreviated to till or ’til in informal language.

Until as a preposition of time (up to)
  1. until 8 AM
  2. until 2 PM
  3. until dusk
  4. until dawn
  5. until July next year

Examples

The coffee shop is open until 11 AM on weekends.
I will be working until 5 PM.
We played chess until midnight.
We can’t go out until the rain stops..
She’ll be staying in London until the end of the month.
Please wait here until the doctor calls your name.

We often use "from .... until" to indicate when something starts and when it ends.

3.6.2. Using From...until in sentences

  1. from 8 AM until 11 AM
  2. from dusk until dawn

Examples

The coffee shop is open from 8 AM until 11 AM on weekends*.
The coffee shop is open from 7 AM until 8 PM on weekdays.
I’ll be on holiday from July 1st until July 10th.
We had a party from dusk until dawn.
The school will be closed from the middle of December until the end of January.

* This is also equivalent to: The coffee shop is open from 8 AM to 11 AM on weekends.

3.7. Occasions or events

To link actions to specific occasions (cultural, traditional, or life events), we use on, during.

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

3.8. Continuous time

To express an event that spans a continuous time period, we use through, throughout, and until.

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

3.9. Deadline

We use by, and before to specify when something is due.

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

3.10. Life periods

We use in, and during to describe events that took place during specific life periods.

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