Prepositions of Time! A preposition can provide us with information on the relationship between two words within a sentence, one such relationship is the time that something is occurring. For example, ‘the party had ended before the clock struck 12.’ This shows when something happened and allows us to understand what is being talked about more clearly.
In this section, we are going to show you a detailed list of prepositions of time which will add to your vocabulary as well as giving yo the ability to create more detailed sentences and sound more fluent.
Prepositions of Time
Learn a useful list of prepositions of time in English with example sentences, video and ESL printable worksheets.
What is a Preposition of Time?
A preposition of time is a preposition that allows you to discuss a specific time period.
Preposition of time examples:
- On Monday
- On a cold day
- At night
- At the moment
- In January
- In the past
List of Prepositions of Time with Examples
Learn prepositions of time list with useful grammar rules and example sentences.
During
Used when something happens within the time something else is happening
We stayed at a student hostel during the conference.
For
I’m just going to bed for two hours or so.
Until/ Till
We’ll wait till/ until half past six for you.
Since
The factory has been here since the 1970s.
From…to
Her visit will extend from Monday to Thursday.
Ago
He left the house over an hour ago.
Before
We use before to refer to any time previous to a specific point in time
Example:
She’s always up before dawn.
By
We use by when we want to say “not later than”.
Example:
He had promised to be back by five o’clock.
After
We use after when we want to say “later in time than“.
Example:
I felt fairly relaxed after taking the medicine.
To
We use to in telling the time, when we refer to the number of minutes before the hour.
Example:
It’s a quarter to two.
We can use to with the meaning of “until” when we are talking about time.
Example:
It’s just three days to Halloween.
Past
Refers to the amount of time past the hour
Example:
It’s five past ten.
Between…and
We use between … and to talk about time that separates two points.
Example:
The team have a lot of work to do between now and Sunday.
Within
Refers to a span of time during which something may occur.
Example:
You should receive a reply within seven days.
Prepositions of Time Image
Prepositions of Time IN ON AT
In order to describe time, the prepositions in, on, and at go from GENERAL to SPECIFIC.
Prepositions of Time: IN
Native speakers use the preposition IN to refer to a general, longer period of time.
In + Parts of the day
Examples:
In the morning
In the afternoon
In the evening
In + Months
Examples:
In January
In February
In December
In + Seasons
Examples:
In (the) spring
In (the) summer
In (the) fall/autumn
In (the) winter
In + Years
Examples:
In 1980
In 1968
In + Decades
Examples:
In the 1960s
In the seventies
In + Centuries
Examples:
In the 15th century
In the 21st century
In + Weeks
Examples:
In a week
In 2 weeks
In + Periods of time
Examples:
In the past
In the next century
In the future
In the 10 years time
In the middle ages
In a few minutes
In a moment
In an hour
In 3 hours
In six months
In a year
In + Holidays
Example:
In the Easter holiday
Prepositions of Time: IN | Picture
Prepositions of Time: ON
Moving to more specific periods of time, the preposition ON is used.
On + Days
Examples:
On Monday
On Thursday
On Sunday
On + Dates
Examples:
On April 3rd
On 1st January 2013
On the 10th
On the first day
On the last day
On + Holidays with “day”
Examples:
On New Year’s day
On Christmas day
On Easter day
On + Specific days
Examples:
On my birthday
On holiday
On my wedding day
On that day
On + Day + Part of day
Examples:
On Sunday morning(s)
On Friday afternoon(s)
On Monday evening(s)
On + Time
Examples:
On the weekend (U.S.)
On weekdays
On time
On a summer evening
On a cold day
On my lunch break
Prepositions of Time: ON | Picture
Prepositions of Time: AT
English speakers use the preposition AT for the most specific times.
At + Hours
Examples:
At 7 am
At 12 o’clock
At 5 pm
At + Parts of the day
Examples:
At night
At noon/ midday
At midnight
At bedtime
At lunch time
At dinner time
At dinner
At lunch
At sunrise/sunset
At dawn
At + Holidays without “day”
Examples:
At Easter
At Christmas
At New Year
At + Time
Examples:
At present
At the weekend (U.K)
At breakfast
At the moment
At this moment
At the same time
At that time
Prepositions of Time: AT | Picture
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