What does it mean?
Prepositions of time tell us when something happens. They can point to an exact clock time, a day, a month, a period, a deadline, a starting point, or a time before or after another action.
at 9:00 AM
on Monday
in July
before lunch
Use at, on, and in for different sizes of time.
atUse for exact times and special moments.at 9:00, at noon, at night
onUse for days and dates.on Monday, on July 8, on my birthday
inUse for months, years, seasons, and long periods.in March, in 2026, in winter
At points to an exact time.
The meeting starts at 9:00 AM.Exact clock time.at + time
We eat lunch at noon.A fixed moment in the day.at noon, at midnight
She studies at night.A common time expression.at night, at the weekend in UK English
On points to a day or date.
The meeting is on Monday.A day of the week.on Monday
My test is on July 8.A calendar date.on + date
We visit family on Eid morning.A special day or part of a special day.on Friday morning
In points to a longer time period.
We travel in August.A month.in August
She was born in 2015.A year.in + year
Flowers grow in spring.A season or long part of time.in spring, in the morning
Before means earlier. After means later.
Wash your hands before dinner.Dinner happens later.earlier than dinner
We played after school.School finished first.later than school
Brush your teeth before bed.Bedtime is the reference point.before + noun
During means inside a time period or event.
Please be quiet during the lesson.The quiet time is inside the lesson.during + event
It rained during the night.The rain happened inside that period.during + period
I slept during the flight.The action happened while the flight was happening.during, not in, for events
Since gives a start point. For gives a length of time.
I have lived here since 2020.2020 is the start point.since + start
I have studied for two hours.Two hours is the length.for + duration
She has waited since morning.Morning is when waiting began.often with perfect tenses
Use deadline, range, and approximate time words too.
until / tillThe action continues and stops at that time.until Friday, till noon
byNo later than a deadline.by 5:00, by Monday
from...to / between...andA time range.from 2 to 4, between 6 and 7
withinBefore the end of a short limit.within ten minutes
throughout / overAll through a period, or across a period.throughout the year, over the weekend
around / about / ago / past / toApproximate time, time before now, and clock parts.around noon, two days ago, half past five, ten to six
Choose the exact-time preposition.
The meeting starts ___ 9:00 AM on Monday.
Choose the day preposition.
We have English class ___ Monday.
Choose the start-point word.
Maha has lived in Muscat ___ 2021.
Which sentence uses a deadline correctly?
Choose the best sentence.
Which sentence uses a time range correctly?
Choose the best sentence.
Fill five blanks.
Choose the preposition of time that best fits each sentence.
The museum opens 10:00 AM.
Our picnic is Saturday.
Please listen carefully the story.
We stayed at school 3:00 PM.
You must return the book one week.
Mixed question types of 5
Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.
1. Sentence completion
We usually visit Salalah ___ summer.
2. MCQ
Which sentence means lunch happens first?
3. Type the answer
They played football ___ two hours.
4. Type the answer
Please be home ___ 8:00 PM. That is the deadline.
5. MCQ
Which sentence uses clock time correctly?
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