Time Prepositions Quiz

Prepositions of Time

Before and After: Indicate the order of events. Before relates to a time prior to an event, while after indicates a time following an event. For instance, ten o'clock comes before eleven o'clock.
During, Through, Throughout:
- During pertains to a part of a period, e.g., sleeping during the day means sleeping for part of the day.
- Through is used when discussing an entire period, e.g., sleeping through the day means sleeping from morning until night.
- Throughout refers to the entirety of an event or time span, e.g., sleeping throughout the football game.
At Around, At About, By:
- At around and at about express approximate times, e.g., leaving at around six.
- By signifies a time limit, indicating no later than a specified time, e.g., needing to be at a location by seven-fifteen.
By the Time: Used to indicate a specific point when an event or action will occur, e.g., by the time you arrive, we will have already left.
To, Of, Towards:
- "To" is used to signify minutes before the hour, e.g., ten to four.
- Towards indicates the approach of a time period, e.g., it was towards evening when she called.
Between and Within:
- Between indicates a duration after one time and before another, e.g., arriving between five and six.
- Within suggests a time frame from the present moment to a specified length of time, e.g., they will arrive within ten minutes.
Beyond, Past, Until:
- Beyond indicates a point in time that surpasses. For example, guests staying beyond midnight.
- Past is similar, meaning after a certain time, e.g., the party ends past ten.
- Until refers to a stopping point or limit in time, e.g., the party will last until ten.
For and Since:
- For refers to a duration of time, such as being present for a week.
- Since indicates the starting point of a duration, e.g., since last Thursday.
In and On:
- In is used for longer periods such as months or seasons, e.g., they came in October.
- On is for specific days or dates, e.g., coming on Monday or October 6.
At:
- Used to specify a precise time, e.g., at ten o'clock.
- Can also refer to times of day, like at night or at present, meaning now.
With: Indicates concurrent occurrences, e.g., waking up with the sun.
Out of and Ahead of:
- Out of time refers to having no time left, e.g., running out of time.
- Ahead of time means being early, allowing for extra preparation.
Up:
- Time is up indicates there is no remaining official time for an activity, e.g., sitting down when time was up.

Prepositions of Time

Before / After: Indicates the temporal relationship; "before" refers to a time earlier than another, while "after" indicates a time following another.
Examples:
- Ten o'clock is before eleven o'clock.
- Three o'clock is after two o'clock.

During / Through / Throughout

During: Refers to a specific part of a time period.
Example: He slept during the day (from 2 PM to 4 PM).
Through: Indicates an action occurring for the entire duration of a period.
Example: He slept through the day (from 9 AM to 9 PM).
Throughout: Suggests continuity during the entire period.
Example: She slept throughout the football game.

At Around / At About / By

At Around / At About: Used for approximating time.
Example: We will leave at around six.
By: Indicates the latest possible time for an event.
Example: We have to be there by seven-fifteen.

To / Of / Towards

To: Used to express minutes before an hour.
Example: It’s ten to four.
Of: Less common in recent English but used similarly to "to".
Towards: Indicates nearing a period of time.
Example: It was towards evening when she called.

Between / Within

Between: Highlights the time between two points.
Example: They will arrive between five and six.
Within: Indicates a time frame leading up to a specific duration.
Example: They will be here within ten minutes.

Beyond / Past / Until

Beyond: Refers to time after a certain point.
Example: Our guests stayed beyond midnight.
Past: Similar to beyond, implies time after a reference point.
Example: Our guests stayed past midnight.
Until: Indicates the time up to a specific moment.
Example: The party will last until ten.

For / Since

For: Indicates a duration of time.
Example: They have been here for a week.
Since: Refers to a specific starting point in the past continuing to the present.
Example: They have been here since last Thursday.