PREPOSITIONS

Time
 PREPOSITIONS OF TIME: AT
At + time At + specific points in the time At + meals + time

 It start work at 8 o’clock.
 The shops close at 5’30.
 Are you going away at the weekend?
 I can’t sleep at night.
 Where will you be at Christmas.
 I’m going on holiday at the end of October.
 Are you busy at the moment?
 We can meet at lunch time.
 The children finished their homework
just at dinner time.
 PREPOSITIONS OF TIME: IN
In + parts of the day
In + month, year, season In + number + time (except punctual parts: night, midnight, midday)

 I always feel good in the morning.

 They’ll get married in April.  Hurry! The train leaves in 5
minutes.  Do you often go out in the
 This book was written in 1765.
 Bye! I’ll see you in a few days. evening?
 PREPOSITIONS OF TIME: ON

On + days of the week On + day of the week + part On + complete dates

of the day

 They’re flying to New York on

 They’re leaving on Tuesday  The concert is on 22
Monday. morning. November.
 I have my ballet lessons on
 We were listening to music on  You’re getting married on
Sunday afternon. Wednesday 15 April.
Friday.
 NO PREPOSITION: EXPRESSIONS

We don’t use “at”, “in” or “on” before these expressions:

Are you going out this evening?
We go on holiday every summer.
Last summer we went to Canada.
I’m leaving next Monday.
 PREPOSITION OF TIME:
FROM…TO… OR FROM…UNTIL…
From + time + to + time = From the beginning and end of a period.
From + time + until + time

We lived in Japan from 1992 to 2001./ We lived in Japan from 1992 until 2001.
I work from Monday to Friday./ I work from Monday until Friday.
 PREPOSITION OF TIME: UNTIL

Until + time/ month/day/ sentence…

They’re going away tomorrow. They’ll be away until Friday.

I went to bed early, but I wasn’t tired. I read a book until 3 o’clock.
Wait here until I come back.
*You can also say till instead of until
 PREPOSITION OF TIME: SINCE
Since + a time in the past to now (We use “since” after the Present Perfect)

Joe is in hospital. He has been in hospital since Monday. (=from Monday to now).
Sue and Dave have been married since 1968. (=from 1968 to now).
It has been raining since I arrived.

Compare:
We lived in Japan from 1992 to 2001./ We lived in Japan until 2001.
We have lived in Canada since 2001. (= from 2001 to now).
PREPOSITION OF TIME: FOR
For + a period of time

Gary stayed with us for three days.

I’m going away for a few weekend.
I’m going away for the weekend.
They’ve been married for ten years.
PREPOSITION OF TIME: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

Before/ During/ After + Noun

Everybody feels nervous before exams.

I fell asleep during the film.
We were tired after our visit to the museum.
PREPOSITION OF TIME: BEFORE, WHILE AND AFTER
Before/ While/ After + sentence

Don’t forget to close the window before you go out.

I often fall asleep while I’m reading.
They went home after they did the shopping.
 PREPOSITION OF TIME: DURING, WHILE AND FOR
We use “during” + Noun  We didn’t speak during the film.

We use “while” + Sentence  We didn’t speak while we were eating.

We use “for” + a period of time  We played tennis for two hours.

 PREPOSITION OF TIME:
BEFORE AND AFTER

We can use “before” and “after” + -ing:

I always have breakfast before going to work (= before I go to work).
We went home after doing shopping (= after we did shopping).
I washed the apple carefully before eating.
I started work after reading the newspaper.