Prepositions of Time

Here are some common rules for using prepositions of time:

At

"At" as a preposition of time is used for specific points in time, such as hours, meals, holidays, and events. Here are some examples of how "at" is used as a preposition of time:

1. Specific Times on the Clock

"At" is used to refer to the exact time on the clock.

• I have a meeting at 3:00 PM.
  
• The concert starts at 8:30 PM.

2. Meal Times

"At" is used for specifying meal times.

• "They enjoy tea and biscuits at teatime, around 4 PM."
• "At suppertime, the family gathers around the table."

3. Holidays and Festivals

"At" can be used to indicate the time of a holiday or festival.

• We exchange gifts at Christmas.
  
• The party will be held at New Year's Eve.

4. Noon, Night and Midnight:

"At" is also used for nighttime and midnight.

• I prefer to work at night.
  
• The deadline for the project is at midnight.
• She always goes for a run at sunrise.
  

In

The preposition "in" is commonly used to indicate a period of time within which an event or action occurs. It is used to express a sense of duration. Here are some example sentences to illustrate its use:

1. Period of Time:

• I'll meet you in an hour.
  
• The concert is scheduled to start in five minutes.
• We have a meeting in the morning.
  
• I have a dentist appointment in a few days.
  
• The project should be completed in a week.
• They will return from their trip in a month.

2. Week, Months, Seasons & Year

• In the past, people used horses for transportation.
  
• In the future, technology will continue to advance.
• In the 1990s, grunge music was popular.

4. Time of Day

• Let's meet in the evening for dinner.
  

5. Expressions of Age

• She started working in her twenties.
  
• I learned to swim in my childhood.

On

The preposition "on" is used to specify days of the week, calendar dates, and certain holidays. Here are some example sentences to illustrate its use:

1. Days of the Week:

• I have a meeting on Monday.
  
• We're going to the beach on Sunday.
• The store is closed on Wednesdays.

2. Specific Calendar Dates:

• My birthday is on April 10th.
  
• Our anniversary is on June 25th.
• The conference is scheduled for June 15th.

• We celebrate Independence Day on the 4th of July.

• On that particular day, everything changed.
  
• The project is due on the 15th of this month.
  

• On the appointed day, they signed the contract.

3. Holidays and Special Occasions:

• I'll see you on New Year's Eve.
  
• On Halloween, children go trick-or-treating.

Since:

"Since" as a preposition of time is used to indicate the starting point of an action or event that continues in the present.

1. He has been sleeping here since 4 pm.
   
2. She has been playing the piano since she was five.
3. They have been waiting since morning.

For:

"For" as a preposition of time is used to indicate the duration of an action or event.

1. He studied for two hours.
   
2. I shall be on vacation for a week.
3. We've known each other for five years.

During:

"During" as a preposition of time is used to indicate a period of time when something happens.

1. I read a book during the flight.
   
2. We had a power outage during the storm.
3. He fell asleep during the movie.

Within:

"Within" as a preposition of time is used to indicate a time frame before or after a specific point in time.

1. Please submit your report within two days.
   
2. We have to finish the work within a week.
3. The bus will arrive within an hour.

By:

"By" as a preposition of time is used to indicate a deadline or a specific time at which something is expected to happen.

1. Please complete the task by tomorrow.
   
2. The assignment must be submitted by Friday.
3. I will be back home by the end of the week.

Remember that these rules provide general guidelines, but there can be exceptions and variations in specific contexts. It's always important to consider the context and usage patterns when using prepositions of time.