Prepositions of time are words that show when something happens. They help us talk about dates, days, months, years, moments, periods, and duration of time.
The most common prepositions of time are: in, on, at, before, after, during, since, for, from, to, until/till, by.
1. Preposition of Time: IN
Use in for longer periods of time.
✅ Rules
| Use “in” for | Examples |
|---|---|
| Months | in January, in May |
| Years | in 2020, in 1995 |
| Seasons | in summer, in winter |
| Decades & centuries | in the 1990s, in the 18th century |
| Long periods | in the future, in the past |
| Time taken to finish something | I will return in an hour. |
📝 Examples
- She was born in 2010.
- We will visit Goa in December.
- Flowers bloom in spring.
- I can finish the work in two hours.
⚠️ Exceptions
- We do not use in for “morning, afternoon, evening.”
(Use in the morning, in the afternoon, but at night.) - Use at night, not in night.
2. Preposition of Time: ON
Use on for specific days and dates.
✅ Rules
| Use “on” for | Examples |
|---|---|
| Days | on Monday, on Sunday |
| Dates | on 15th August, on 1 January |
| Events tied to dates | on my birthday, on Christmas Day |
| Day + part of day | on Monday morning, on Friday night |
Examples
- The meeting is on Friday.
- Independence Day is on 15 August.
- We left on Christmas Day.
⚠️ Exceptions
- For festivals without the word “day,” we often don’t use on.
Example: We celebrate Diwali in October. - Use at night, not on night.
3. Preposition of Time: AT
Use at for specific times or precise moments.
✅ Rules
| Use “at” for | Examples |
|---|---|
| Clock time | at 6:30 PM, at midnight |
| Holiday periods (general), not days | at Christmas, at Diwali |
| Exact moment | at the moment, at sunrise |
| Meal times | at lunch, at dinner |
Examples
- The train arrives at 5 PM.
- We met at lunchtime.
- He goes for a walk at sunrise.
⚠️ Exceptions
- Use at night, not in night.
- For weekends, both are used depending on the region:
- British English → at the weekend
- American English → on the weekend
4. Other Important Prepositions of Time
A) BEFORE
Used to show something happens earlier than another event.
Examples:
- Finish homework before 8 PM.
- She arrived before me.
B) AFTER
Used to show something happens later than another event.
Examples:
- We will go for dinner after the movie.
- He called me after work.
C) DURING
Used for something happening within a period of time.
Examples:
- She slept during the class.
- Many birds migrate during winter.
D) SINCE
Used to show a starting point of time (with present perfect tense).
Examples:
- She has lived here since 2015.
- It has been raining since morning.
E) FOR
Used to show duration.
Examples:
- I have waited for one hour.
- They lived abroad for five years.
F) FROM – TO / TILL / UNTIL
Used to show start and end of time.
Examples:
- The shop is open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
- I will be busy from Monday to Friday.
- We waited until noon.
G) BY
Shows a deadline or latest possible time.
Examples:
- Submit the form by Monday.
- He will reach by 6 PM.
⚠️ Exception:
By ≠ Until
- By shows a deadline.
- Until shows the entire period.
Example:
- Wait until 6 PM. (Keep waiting)
- Come by 6 PM. (Any time before 6 PM)
Summary Table – Prepositions of Time
| Preposition | Used For | Example |
|---|---|---|
| in | months, years, seasons, long periods | in 2023, in July |
| on | days, dates | on Monday, on 5 March |
| at | exact time, meals, night | at 7 PM, at night |
| before | earlier time | before sunset |
| after | later time | after lunch |
| during | within a period | during summer |
| since | starting point | since 2010 |
| for | duration | for two hours |
| from…to | start to end | from 2 to 4 PM |
| until/till | whole duration | until morning |
| by | latest deadline | by Friday |
Common Errors & Corrections
❌ I will meet you on night.
✔ I will meet you at night.
❌ He was born on 1999.
✔ He was born in 1999.
❌ The exam is in Monday.
✔ The exam is on Monday.
❌ I slept during two hours.
✔ I slept for two hours.
