Prepositions of Time: Master Types with Examples and Worksheets

What Is a Preposition of Time?

The definition of prepositions of time reflects its importance in parts of speech by indicating a particular period, such as days of the week, dates on the calendar, or the real time of something happening.

Although these prepositions are similar to prepositions of place, they are used differently to discuss time instead of places. Apart from this, there are distinct types of time prepositions: common and others. In the next section, you will understand their differences in detail. But before that, let us look at a few examples of Prepositions of Time given below!

Common prepositions of time examples

1. Do you want to join me for the party on Friday morning?

2. I will talk to you at dinnertime.

3. My friend is getting married in December.

4. Forty years have passed since we met.

5. They will wait until half past nine for you.

Hopefully, you are now clear with the Prepositions of Time definition and are ready to learn their types.

Types of Common Prepositions of Time

As we discussed earlier, there are two types of time prepositions: basic and others. Below are their detailed explanations, let’s delve into them!

Basic Time Prepositions

Fundamental prepositions that determine a specific time and are commonly used in everyday language are called the basic prepositions of time. These include, “at”, “in”, and “on”.

1. At

It is used to discuss specific times or particular holiday seasons. The best at preposition examples include “at night”, and “at Diwali”.

 2. In

“In” is used to describe longer periods of time, say months, centuries, years, seasons, and parts of the day. For example: “in December”, “in 1982”, “in the rainy season”, etc.

 3. On

Lastly, “on” is used to determine specific dates & days. A few “On preposition examples” will help you understand better; thus, let us look at the table!

Other Time Prepositions

The other prepositions of time can be differentiated based on their usages that include “deadline and limits”, “sequence and order”, “duration and periods”, and “starting points and continuing actions”. These prepositions include “for, during, throughout, before, after, since, from, by, until/till, and within”. Below are their detailed explanations for your understanding. Let us explore!

1. Before

It is used to determine a time previous to any specific point in time, such as afternoon, dawn, dusk, etc.

For example: -

• I finished my homework before you.
• Their accident happened the day before Friday.
• Please wash your hands before eating your lunch.

2. After

It is used when you have to determine something “later in time than”, “following in order”, and “being behind in position”.

For example: -

• You can go for a walk after dinner for 15 minutes.
• Your name is after Shweta on the list.
• The runner is after the leader in the race.

3. During

This preposition of time, "During", stresses something that happens within a specific time of something else’s happening.

For example: -

• Shivam fell asleep during the movie.
• Everything was damaged during an earthquake in Jamaica.
• He met her wife during a business tour.

4. Until / Till

Both “until” and “till” words are used to signify a boundary in time and mark the point where something is either changed or ends.

For example: -

• The store is open till 11 PM.
• Pranav worked till late in the evening.
• The manager will wait here until 6 PM on Wednesday.
• The maths teacher will wait until August 7 for this project to be done.

5. Since

It highlights back to a point in time when something started. In simple terms, “since” points out the beginning of a specific period of time that is either continuing up till now or another specific point in the past.

For example: -

• It has been raining since morning.
• Poonam has not seen Akshita since their last argument.
• This factory has been here since the early 2000s.

6. For

The usage of for is simple and is used with a specific period. In other terms, “for” indicates the length or duration of time when a state or action continues.

For example: -

• A lawyer has lived here for twenty years.
• Poonam waited at the doctor’s office for an hour.
• I have been studying politics for 10 years.

7. By

Last but not least, “by” shows the recent time of something that must be completed.

For example: -

• Please submit the medical report by Saturday.
• The bus will arrive by 6 in the morning.
• Lakshita will finish the science project by the end of this week.

As expected, you must be clear with the meaning and examples of Prepositions of Time in sentences. Moving forward, you will delve into two exercises to test your understanding. Let’s begin!

Prepositions of Time Worksheet

Below are two exclusive prepositions of time worksheets with answers to test how well you understand till now. Let us solve!

Worksheet 1

Fill in the blanks with correct prepositions of time (at, in, on).

1. See you ________ Friday.

2. I brush my teeth ________ the morning.

3. The match is ________ 4 o'clock.

4. We have lunch ________ midday.

5. I am busy ________ the moment.

6. My parents always visit me ________ my birthday.

7. He was born ________ the 19th century

8. He usually goes on holiday ________ July.

9. They always get together ________ Christmas.

10. You can come ________ the weekend.

Answers to worksheet 1

1. See you on Friday.

2. I brush my teeth in the morning.

3. The match is at 4 o'clock.

4. We have lunch at midday.

5. I am busy at the moment.

6. My parents always visit me on my birthday.

7. He was born in the 19th century

8. He usually goes on holiday in July.

9. They always get together at Christmas.

10. You can come on the weekend.

Worksheet 2

Choose the correct preposition of time from the given options.

a) We will see you ___ the weekend.

1. on
2. at
3. in

b) They moved to Canada ___ 2015.

1. in
2. on
3. at

c) He gets up ___ sunrise.

1. at
2. on
3. in

d) The party is ___ Saturday evening.

1. in
2. at
3. on

e) I will finish the report ___ the afternoon.

1. in
2. at
3. on

Answers to worksheet 2

1. on

2. in

3. at

4. on

5. in

Conclusion

So, here we are! For fluent and precise communication, it is essential to master on in at prepositions of time. These basic prepositions, along with others, help to connect specific moments and actions, and are always followed by a noun in English grammar.

Apart from this, with the right usage of prepositions of time and constant practice, you can perfectly excel in expressing time-related ideas, whether in speaking or writing.

FAQs

1. Which preposition can I use to refer to a particular day?

Ans. “On” is amongst the most common types of prepositions of time, referring to a particular day. For example: “My birthday is on December 15th,” or “My pottery class is starting on Tuesday”.

2. Can we start a sentence with a preposition of time?

Ans. Yes, you can use your sentence with a preposition of time. It is absolutely correct, typically when you stress a specific timing of an event. Below are a few example sentences, starting with prepositions of time:

• In the morning, the birds sing sweetly.
• On Saturdays, work is typically done from home.
• On his birthday, he always throws a big party.

3. Are ‘from’ and ‘to’ always used together?

Ans. No, “from” and “to” aren’t always used together. However, when they appear together, it means they are indicating a beginning and an end of something.

4. How do I know whether to use ‘until’ or ‘by’?

Ans. Until and by are often confused as they both are part of the prepositions of time; however, they both convey subtly different meanings. In simple terms, one focuses on the deadline and the other on the duration.

5. When do we use ‘since’ vs. ‘for’?

Ans. Like “by and until”, “since and for” also create a lot of confusion regarding their usage. However, “for” is used to reflect on the length of time an action has been happening, whereas “since” is used to indicate its beginning. For example:

• She has been dancing for three years.
• She has been dancing since 2020.