Prepositions of time

Prepositions of Time

What is a Preposition of Time?

A preposition of time is a preposition that allows you to discuss a specific time period.

• On Monday
• On a cold day
• At night
• At the moment
• In January
• In the past

List of Prepositions of Time with Examples

Learn prepositions of time list with useful grammar rules and example sentences.

During

Used when something happens within the time something else is happening

We stayed at a student hostel duringthe conference.

For

I’m just going to bed for two hours or so.

Until/ Till

We’ll wait till/ until half past six for you.

Since

The factory has been here since the 1970s.

From…to

Her visit will extend from Monday toThursday.

Ago

He left the house over an hour ago.

Before

We use before to refer to any time previous to a specific point in time

Example:

She’s always up before dawn.

By

We use by when we want to say “not later than”.

Example:

He had promised to be back by five o’clock.

After

We use after when we want to say “later in time than“.

Example:

I felt fairly relaxed after taking the medicine.

To

We use to in telling the time, when we refer to the number of minutes before the hour.

Example:

It’s a quarter to two.

We can use to with the meaning of “until” when we are talking about time.

Example:

It’s just three days to Halloween.

Past

Refers to the amount of time past the hour

Example:

It’s five past ten.

Between…and

We use between … and to talk about time that separates two points.

Example:

The team have a lot of work to do between now and Sunday.

Within

Refers to a span of time during which something may occur.

Example:

You should receive a reply within seven days.