Prepositions of Time – Detailed

A preposition is a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence. It usually tells us something about time, place, direction, cause, manner, or instrument.


Definition: A preposition connects a noun/pronoun to another word and gives more information about when, where, how, or why something happens.


Prepositions of Time – Detailed Usage


"AT"


Use: Refers to a specific point in time (clock time, festivals, holidays without "day", and specific parts of the day).


Examples:



  • I usually get up at 6:30 AM.

  • We always gather at Christmas.

  • The sky looks beautiful at sunset.

  • The bus arrives at noon.


"ON"


Use: Refers to specific days, dates, and special days.


Examples:



  • She has yoga class on Monday.

  • My birthday is on July 1st.

  • They got married on New Year’s Eve.

  • The exam is on Monday morning.


"IN"


Use: Refers to months, years, centuries, seasons, and a period of time in the day.


Examples:



  • I was born in August.

  • She graduated in 2020.

  • Many inventions were made in the 19th century.

  • The train will leave in 10 minutes.


"BY"


Use: Refers to a deadline — meaning no later than a particular time.


Examples:



  • You must finish the homework by Friday.

  • She will arrive by 6 PM.


It means the action can happen anytime before or at the mentioned time.


"FOR"


Use: Indicates a duration of time — how long something lasts.


Examples:



  • I’ve lived here for five years.

  • He stayed in Delhi for a week.


It tells us how long an action lasts, whether temporary or ongoing.


"SINCE"


Use: Use "since" for actions that began at a specific point in time and continue to the present.


Examples:



  • She has been working here since 2018.

  • It hasn’t rained since Monday.


It shows when something started.


"UNTIL / TILL"


Use: Refers to the end point of a period of time — up to a particular time.



  • We waited until 10 PM.

  • I’ll stay here till Sunday.


It shows how long something continues.


Summary Table:


Prepositions and Their Uses:



  • At: Used for exact time, holidays, or parts of the day.
    Example: Meet me at 5 PM.

  • On: Used for specific days or dates.
    Example: The meeting is on Tuesday.

  • In: Used for months, years, periods, or seasons.
    Example: He was born in May.

  • By: Used for a deadline or "not later than."
    Example: Finish it by Monday.

  • For: Used for the duration of time.
    Example: She worked for 3 years.

  • Since: Used for the starting point of an ongoing action.
    Example: They’ve lived here since 2010.

  • Until/Till: Used for the end of a time period.
    Example: Wait until I return.