Prepositions of Time

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Prepositions of Time

• during

• before

• until

• throughout

• after

• at

• on

• in

• for

• since

during

indicates something that is happening at the same time as another event.

• We ate popcorn during the movie.

• I cried during the wedding ceremony.

• She usually sleeps during an earthquake.

• During the summer, they swim every day.

before

• I lived in Pennsylvania before living in California.

• She takes her vitamins before eating breakfast.

• He will study before taking the test.

• Before you call for an appointment, check your schedule.

until

shows continuance of an action or condition

• I will celebrate until my birthday is over.• Until the sun goes down, he will go

fishing.• They play tennis until the lights go out.• She will live an active life until she dies.• It begs for food until it gets some.

throughout

during the whole time or action; from beginning to end

• I listened carefully to the president throughout his speech.

• We promised to remain faithful throughout our marriage.

• Throughout the entire show, he yawned.

after

• They drank a lot of water after they ran.

• I usually watch TV after work.

• After class, we will go out to lunch.

• He recovered after he had the flu.

• Can you put the book away after you read it?

• We will relax after the plane lands.

at

indicates age or a specific time

• At 65, he continues to exercise.

• You can vote in an election at age 21.

• The party starts at 6:00.

• I go to bed early at night.

• The movie will end at 8:30.

on

used for specific times such as dates and days of the week

• My birthday is on February 13.

• Her appointment is on Tuesday.

• On the weekend, I often do laundry.

• We attend class on Monday and Wednesday.

in

used for nonspecific times during a day, month, season or year

• He drinks coffee in the morning.• Do you plant flowers in the spring?• We were born in 1960.• My birthday is in February.• They watch TV in the evening.

for

indicates duration of time

• I have known them for 15 years.

• They will be on vacation for one week.

• We danced for three hours.

• He owned the car for a long time.

• She has attended class for a brief time.

since

from a specific time in the past

• She has studied English since 2010.

• He has been a singer since childhood.

• We have been awake since 12:00.

• Have you driven a car since your accident?

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