What preposition is used with time?

A preposition of time is a preposition that allows you to discuss a specific time period such as a date on the calendar, one of the days of the week, or the actual time something takes place. Prepositions of time are the same words as prepositions of place, however they are used in a different way.

“At” is generally used in reference to specific times on the clock or points of time in the day. “In” generally refers to longer periods of time. “On” is used with dates and named days.

For describing time and place, the prepositions in, on, and at go from general to specific. Let’s start by looking at how we talk about time. English speakers use in to refer to a general, longer period of time, such as months, years, decades, or centuries.

1. At. Use at for the time: …
2. On. Use on for days and dates. …
3. In. Use in with weeks, months, years and seasons. …
4. For. Use for with a period of time / length of time. …
5. Since. Use since with the start of a period of time. …
6. By. Use by when we want to say “not later than” or any time until this point (a deadline).

• He sat on the chair.
• There is some milk in the fridge.
• She was hiding under the table.
• The cat jumped off the counter.
• He drove over the bridge.
• She lost her ring at the beach.
• The book belongs to Anthony.
• They were sitting by the tree.

“On” is used to indicate position, usually indicating that something is on top of something else. We might say, “My journal is on the desk.” In this function, “on” typically denotes proximity or position. Another example would be, “He sat on the stone wall.”

If you are talking about the year, month or season then it should be: Born in. Example: I was born in 1980 (May, summer). If you are talking about day of the week or a holiday then it should be Born on. Example: I was born on Monday (Christmas day).

Strictly speaking, when referring to one or more of a definite set of values, the word ‘which’ should be employed. When referring to one or more of an unknown or infinate set of values, the word ‘what’ would be used instead.

• Simple Preposition. When a preposition consists of one word is called single or simple preposition. …
• Double Preposition. …
• Compound Preposition. …
• Participle Preposition. …
• Disguised Prepositions. …
• Phrase Prepositions.

In English grammar, the rule of thumb is that the subject comes before the verb which comes before the object. This means that most of the sentences conform to the SVO word order. Note that, this is for the sentences that only have a subject, verb and object.

As a preposition of time, “by” means before a specific time. “by” shows a time limit for something to happen.

There are five types of prepositions. They are simple, double, compound, participle, and phrase prepositions. A preposition is used to show a relationship between the noun, pronoun, or phrases in a sentence.

1. The accident victim was seriously injured; they got him to the hospital just in time. …
2. I missed the opportunity to go to that college because I didn’t submit my application in time.