Mastering Prepositions of Time: A Beginner’s Guide

Prepositions of time are words used to indicate when something happens. They help us describe moments or periods in time, such as the past, present, or future. Common prepositions of time include “in,” “on,” and “at.” By understanding how to use these prepositions correctly, you can make your speech and writing much clearer. For example, we use “in” for months or years, “on” for days, and “at” for specific times of the day. In this guide, we will explore how to use these prepositions of time effectively.

Preposition of Time

Prepositions of Time Table:

Preposition	Example
at	at 3 o’clock, at noon, at midnight
in	in June, in 2024, in the morning
on	on Monday, on April 15th, on New Year’s Eve
for	for three hours, for a week, for a long time
since	since 2010, since yesterday, since I was a child

 

1. I have a meeting ___________ 15 April.
2. The concert starts ___________ 7 PM.
3. She will be here ___________ an hour.
4. I have been waiting for you ___________ morning.
5. We have been friends ___________ ten years.
6. The movie starts ___________ 6:30 PM.
7. He has been studying English ___________ last year.
8. I will see you ___________ Friday.
9. They have been living in Paris ___________ 2018.
10. The train arrives ___________ midnight.
11. She will stay in London ___________ a month.
12. The store is open ___________ weekends.
13. He has been working here ___________ January.
14. The party is ___________ Saturday.
15. She will be back ___________ a minute.
16. I have been learning Spanish ___________ two years.
17. The museum is closed ___________ Mondays.
18. They have been married ___________ 2005.
19. The concert is ___________ Friday.
20. I will see you ___________ a few hours.
21. He has been waiting ___________ an hour.
22. I have known her ___________ childhood.
23. We are going to the beach ___________ Sunday.
24. They have been living here ___________ five years.
25. The bus leaves ___________ 9 AM.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use “In” for time?

Answer: The preposition “in” is used for longer periods, such as months, years, and seasons. Here are a few examples:

• I was born in March.
• He graduated in 2020.
• We usually go on vacation in summer.

“In” is also used for parts of the day like morning, afternoon, or evening.

• I like to exercise in the morning.

What is the difference between “on” and “at”?

Answer: The prepositions “on” and “at” are used for different types of time expressions.

• On is used for specific days and dates:
  • I will see you on Tuesday.
  • The meeting is on January 15th.
• At is used for specific times of the day:
  • The bus leaves at 8:00 AM.
  • The event starts at noon.

So, remember: “on” is for days, and “at” is for times.

When do we use “at” for time?

Answer: We use “at” for precise times. If you want to specify a particular hour or minute, “at” is your preposition. Here are some examples:

• I will meet you at 10 AM.
• The train arrives at midnight.

“At” is also used for holidays and celebrations when you refer to the exact time of the event:

• We’ll have a family dinner at Christmas.

Can I use “in” for a specific time like “in 3 PM”?

Answer: No, “in” is not used for specific times like “3 PM.” Instead, you should use “at” for this. The correct sentence would be:

• The meeting is at 3 PM.

We only use “in” for larger time frames such as months, years, and seasons.

Can I say “on Monday morning”?

Answer: Yes, you can say “on Monday morning.” When referring to a specific time in the day on a particular day, “on” is used for the day, and “morning” tells you which part of the day you mean. For example:

• I’ll be free on Monday morning.

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Conclusion

Prepositions of time—in, on, and at—are essential to expressing when things happen. By understanding the basic rules for using these prepositions, you can improve your communication. Remember, “in” is for longer periods like months and years, “on” is for specific days, and “at” is for precise times. Master these simple rules, and you’ll sound much more fluent in English!