Advanced English Grammar

 
 

Prepositions of Time


 

Prepositions of time, like other prepositions, are few in number but play an important role.

After all, you don't want to miss an important meeting because you didn't understand, exactly, what the other speaker meant, right?

Study the examples of time prepositions below and then do the exercise that follows. You can check your answers to see how well you know these prepositions of time.

ABOUT = approximate time

I’ll meet you about 4.30 outside the gym, the game is scheduled to start at 4:45.

AROUND = approximate time

We should arrive around seven o’clock, depending on traffic.

AT = 1. exact time 2. special days or occasions

The bus leaves at 8.30 am sharp, so don't be late!
We usually have a two weeks' school holiday at Christmas.


IN = parts or periods of a day, a season or a year

No shops are open here in the winter.

INSIDE = defined period, used similar to 'within'

They finished building that house inside a month.

ON = names of days, specific days

I will start my new job on Monday.

WITHIN = defined periods of time

Don't worry, I’ll be back within a week.


Prepositions of Time - Set Phrases

In time (you have some time to spare)
On time (at the exact given time)
On the dot (precisely on time)


Prepositions of Time Exercise

 


Choose from the drop down menu the preposition(s) that best complete the sentences below.

 

1. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ 3:00 this afternoon.
2. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ Monday.
3. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ the next hour.
4. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ four o’clock. (approximately)
5. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ Easter.
6. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ the hour.
7. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ May.
8. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ the next fiften minutes.
9. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ time.
10. We expect our cousins to arrive ___ time for dinner.
 Your score is  


For more information about prepositions of time click on the preceding link.   
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