Prepositions of time
In - general period of time, month, year
- exception: at night
- They were born in 1948.
- She was born in July
- He was born in May, 1948.
- He was born in the morning.
- We eat supper in the evening.
at - specific time
- exception at night, at weekends (British)
- She goes to work at 7.
- He comes home at 8.
- They eat lunch at noon.
- We go to bed at midnight.
- We watch movies at night.
on - day - exception: on the weekend (American)
- He was born on May 3rd, 1948.
- I will go shopping on Saturday.
- They are paid on the 15th and 30th of every month.
by - limit
- You must turn in your report by 3.
- I have to be home by 6.
until - limit, end
- I will work until it is complete.
- We played tennis until we were exhausted.
- She wouldn't try apples until she saw someone else eat one.
since - start date, time or reference
- I have been reading this book since Friday.
- It has been broken since last year.
- They have been working since early this morning.
during - at the same time
- They were so happy during their vacation.
- He goes hiking during the spring.
for - period of time
- I have been teaching music for 3 years.
- You have been sick for two days.
throughout - from the beginning to the end
- I have tried to do what's right throughout my life.
before - earlier, in the past.
- I ate lunch before leaving home.
- You should grab your umbrella before going out in the rain.
after - later, in the future
- Why don't we go for a walk after dinner?
- We will finish the report after I check my e-mail.
around - a specific time give or take a few minutes
- I should arrive around three.
- I go to bed around ten.
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