Prepositions of time
We use the “preposition of time” when we talk about time. It answers the question of (When).
- I usually wake up at 6 a.m.
- I’ll go for a run in the morning.
- He starts his new job on Monday.
Three very common time prepositions
| at | on | in |
| precise time | days and dates | long periods, time period |
| at the moment | on Sunday | in 2 minutes |
| at 2 o’clock | on Monday morning | in three hours |
| at dinnertime | on June 12 | in June |
| at noon | on my birthday | in summer |
| at sunrise | on our anniversary | in 2012 |
| at night | on the first day | in the 70s |
| at the end | on the last day | in the past |
More “time prepositions”
for (used to show a length of time)
- I walked for an hour or so.
- He won’t be here for long.
since (from a time in the past until now)
- I have lived here since 2010.
- We have been waiting for you since four o’clock.
by (before or not later than)
- I have to finish this by 7p.m.
- We need to leave by noon.
during (while, throughout)
- She woke up several times during the night.
- The workshop is open during the day.
until/till (up to, no longer than)
- You should wait until Friday.
- We’re open till 7p.m.
