Prepositions of Time with Definition, Examples, and Exercises

When we want to describe when something happens, we use prepositions of time. They are small but powerful words that help us give exact details about events. For example, we say on Monday, at 5 pm, or in July. Without them, our sentences would sound incomplete or confusing.

In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need:

• What is preposition of time?

• Prepositions of time definition

• Preposition of time examples

• Prepositions of time in English with rules

• Prepositions of time exercises to practice

This guide will help learners, teachers, and parents teach and use prepositions of time effectively in both writing and speaking.

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What is Preposition of Time?

A preposition of time is a word that tells us when something happens. It shows the relationship between an action and a specific point, duration, or period in time.

Example:

• We will meet at 6 pm.

• He was born in 2005.

• She goes jogging on Sundays.

Prepositions of Time Definition

Prepositions of time are words that indicate a specific time, date, day, or period related to an action. They answer the question “When?”

Some of the most common prepositions of time include at, on, in, during, since, for, by, from, to, until, within.

Why Do We Use Prepositions of Time?

• To express exact times (at 8 o’clock)

• To mention days and dates (on Monday, on 14th February)

• To indicate months, years, centuries (in June, in 2020, in the 19th century)

• To describe duration (for two hours, since morning)

• To set deadlines (by 5 pm, within a week)

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Common Prepositions of Time in English

Here is a detailed list:

Preposition of Time Examples

1. The meeting starts at 9 am.

2. She was born on 15th August.

3. We met in 2020.

4. He has been studying since morning.

5. They stayed here for three days.

6. Submit your assignment by Friday.

7. It snowed during the winter.

8. Please wait here until 10 pm.

9. The party is from 7 pm to 10 pm.

10. I’ll finish the project within a week.

Preposition of Time Examples Sentences

• The shop closes at midnight.

• My birthday is on Sunday.

• We usually travel in December.

• She has lived here since 2010.

• He worked in that company for ten years.

• I need this report by 2 pm.

• Nobody spoke during the meeting.

• Stay in the hall until the teacher comes.

• The camp runs from Monday to Friday.

• You must reply within 24 hours.

Rules for Using Prepositions of Time in English

1. At for exact times

   • Correct: The train arrives at 7:30 am.

   • Wrong: The train arrives in 7:30 am.

2. On for days and dates

   • Correct: She was born on Monday.

   • Wrong: She was born in Monday.

3. In for longer periods

   • Correct: He was born in 2002.

   • Wrong: He was born on 2002.

4. Since vs For

   • Since = starting point (since 2015)

   • For = duration (for 5 years)

5. By vs Until

   • By = before a deadline (Submit by 10 pm)

   • Until = up to a point (Stay until 10 pm)

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Prepositions of Time in Daily Life

• At home: Dinner is served at 8 pm.

• In school: Exams start in March.

• In work: Submit the report by Monday.

• In travel: The flight leaves at midnight.

Prepositions of Time Exercises

Fill in the blanks

1. The movie starts ___ 6 pm.

2. She goes jogging ___ Sundays.

3. We met ___ 2018.

4. He has been waiting here ___ morning.

5. The teacher will arrive ___ 10 minutes.

Answers: at, on, in, since, within.

Match the following

1. At – a) Exact time

2. On – b) Dates

3. In – c) Months

4. Since – d) Starting point

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Common Mistakes with Prepositions of Time

❌ Wrong: I will see you in Monday.
✔ Correct: I will see you on Monday.

❌ Wrong: She has been here for morning.
✔ Correct: She has been here since morning.

❌ Wrong: I will finish the work until 5 pm.
✔ Correct: I will finish the work by 5 pm.

Teaching Prepositions of Time (Kids and Beginners)

• Calendar Activities: Mark birthdays, holidays, and important dates.

• Daily Routine Games: Children describe their day using at, on, in.

• Story Writing: Kids write short stories with times, dates, and months.

• Role-Play: Pretend to plan a party with timelines (on Saturday, at 5 pm).

Advanced Prepositions of Time Phrases

• At the moment

• In the past / in the future

• By the end of

• From now on

• In the meantime

Examples:

• We are busy at the moment.

• She will finish the project by the end of the week.

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Worksheet for Kids

Part A – Choose the correct answer

1. He was born (in/on) 2005.

2. The party is (at/on) Friday.

3. The exam starts (in/at) 9 am.

Part B – True or False

1. We use at for exact times. (True/False)

2. We use on for months. (True/False)

Prepositions of Time in Storytelling

Writers often use prepositions of time to set scenes and create a flow of events. For example, “The clock struck twelve at midnight,” or “She left home in the morning.” These small words transport readers to the exact moment a story unfolds. Teaching kids to use at, on, and in while writing short stories improves both their grammar and creativity. Storytelling exercises also help them understand the difference between since, for, by, and until in a fun, practical way.

Prepositions of Time in Spoken English

In conversations, prepositions of time add precision. For example, saying “I’ll call you at 5 pm” is clearer than simply saying “I’ll call you later.” Kids often mix up in and on, or since and for, when speaking. Practicing dialogue like “Let’s meet on Saturday at noon” or “I’ve been waiting since 9 o’clock” helps children sound more fluent. Regular speaking drills with prepositions of time make communication natural and accurate.

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Fun Activities to Learn Prepositions of Time

• Calendar Game: Students mark events on a calendar and describe them with at, on, in.

• Time Travel Writing: Kids write about what happened in the past or will happen in the future.

• Role-Play: Pretend to plan a birthday party, deciding what happens at 5 pm, on Friday, in June.

• Daily Routine Chart: Students explain their day step by step using prepositions of time.

These activities make grammar interactive and ensure kids remember rules through experience.

Prepositions of time help us communicate clearly when talking about days, dates, times, and durations. By practicing preposition of time examples, learning the rules, and solving prepositions of time exercises, anyone can master this part of English grammar.

The key is to practice daily, connect grammar with real life, and avoid common mistakes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is preposition of time?
It is a word that tells us when an action happens, e.g., at 6 pm, on Sunday, in 2020.

Q2. What is the prepositions of time definition?
Prepositions of time show the relationship between an event and a point or period in time.

Q3. Can you give preposition of time examples?
Yes: at night, on Monday, in July, since morning, for two hours.

Q4. What are prepositions of time in English?
Some common ones are at, on, in, during, since, for, by, until, within, from…to.

Q5. What are prepositions of time exercises for practice?
They include fill-in-the-blanks, matching activities, and sentence correction exercises.

Q6. What is the difference between since and for?
Since shows the starting point (since 2010), while for shows duration (for 5 years).

Q7. How do kids learn prepositions of time easily?
Through activities, calendar games, and interactive writing tasks, like those in PlanetSpark’s Creative Writing Course.