Preposition of time
"Time's Anchor: Prepositions on Point!"
Prepositionsof time help specify when something happens. They establish the relationship between an event and a specific point in time. Here are examples of prepositions of time:
1. **At:** Used for specific times in the day or night.
– “We’ll meet at 3 o’clock.”
– “She wakes up at dawn.”
2. **In:** Used for more general times, months, years, or periods.
– “She’ll be here in a few minutes.”
– “He’s going on vacation in July.”
3. **On:** Used for days and dates.
– “We have a meeting on Monday.”
– “Her birthday is on the 15th of May.”
These prepositions of time help us to pinpoint or describe when events occur, whether it’s a precise moment (at), a general timeframe (in), or a specific day or date (on).
'at'
The preposition “at” is a versatile term that helps pinpoint a specific point in time, place, or a particular situation. It’s commonly used to denote:
1. **Specific Time:** To refer to an exact or particular time.
– “We’ll meet at 5 PM.”
– “The store opens at 9 o’clock.”
2. **Specific Locations:** To indicate a particular place or position.
– “She’s waiting at the bus stop.”
– “They met at the café.”
3. **Events or Occasions:** To signify a certain event or occasion.
– “He was surprised at the party.”
– “She laughed at the joke.”
“AT” essentially helps specify a particular moment, place, or event within a broader context.
'in'
The preposition “in” has several uses related to time, place, and situation:
1. **Time:** It refers to an unspecified period or duration within a larger timeframe.
– “She’ll arrive in a few minutes.”
– “They’re leaving in July.”
2. **Place:** It denotes being within the boundaries or confines of a space.
– “The keys are in the drawer.”
– “She lives in New York.”
3. **Situation or Condition:** It expresses a state or condition.
– “He’s in good health.”
– “They’re in a meeting.”
Whether conveying time, place, or a particular state, “in” helps specify being within or during a certain period, location, or circumstance.
'on'
The preposition “on” serves various purposes related to time, place, and position:
1. **Time:** It refers to specific days or dates.
– “We’ll meet on Monday.”
– “Her birthday is on the 15th of May.”
2. **Surface or Position:** It indicates being in contact with a surface or located on something.
– “The book is on the table.”
– “She’s sitting on the chair.”
3. **Events or Occasions:** It signifies participation or involvement in an event or situation.
– “He spoke on the panel.”
– “She’s on the team.”
“ON” is used to specify days, dates, surfaces, or involvement in events, conveying a sense of contact, position, or participation.
"Timing Matters: Nailing Prepositions of Time!"
Here’s a worksheet focusing on prepositions of time along with their answers:
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**Worksheet: Prepositions of Time**
**Exercise 1:** Fill in the blanks with the appropriate preposition of time:
1. We’ll meet _______ 5 o’clock.
2. She arrived _______ July.
3. The concert is _______ Saturday.
4. They start work _______ the morning.
5. Her birthday is _______ April.
6. They’re leaving _______ a few minutes.
7. The movie starts _______ 8 PM.
8. The class begins _______ Monday.
9. They’ll finish _______ a couple of hours.
10. We have a meeting _______ 3 PM.
**Exercise 2:** Create three sentences using prepositions of time.
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**Answers – Exercise 1:**
1. We’ll meet **at** 5 o’clock.
2. She arrived **in** July.
3. The concert is **on** Saturday.
4. They start work **in** the morning.
5. Her birthday is **in** April.
6. They’re leaving **in** a few minutes.
7. The movie starts **at** 8 PM.
8. The class begins **on** Monday.
9. They’ll finish **in** a couple of hours.
10. We have a meeting **at** 3 PM.
**Sample sentences – Exercise 2:**
1. She wakes up at dawn every day.
2. They’re going on vacation in December.
3. The party is on Friday evening.
Here are more sentences for practice on prepositions of time:
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**Exercise 1:** Fill in the blanks with the appropriate preposition of time:
11. The store closes _______ 9 PM.
12. They’ll arrive _______ a couple of days.
13. The meeting is scheduled _______ Monday.
14. She finishes work _______ 5 o’clock.
15. They left _______ the afternoon.
16. The event is planned _______ the evening.
17. We’ll start the presentation _______ noon.
18. She’ll be back _______ a week.
19. They’re coming _______ the weekend.
20. The class ends _______ Friday.
**Exercise 2:** Create three sentences using prepositions of time.
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**Answers – Exercise 1:**
11. The store closes **at** 9 PM.
12. They’ll arrive **in** a couple of days.
13. The meeting is scheduled **for** Monday.
14. She finishes work **at** 5 o’clock.
15. They left **in** the afternoon.
16. The event is planned **for** the evening.
17. We’ll start the presentation **at** noon.
18. She’ll be back **in** a week.
19. They’re coming **for** the weekend.
20. The class ends **on** Friday.
**Sample sentences – Exercise 2:**
1. He’ll be here in a few hours.
2. They’re leaving for vacation next week.
3. The festival starts at sunset.
