Grammar: Time Prepositions

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Workation

Do you have a good or bad work-life balance? In this lesson, students will discuss work ethics and work-life balance. The lesson features a video of Kevin O'Leary, host of Shark Tank, explaining why he expects his employees to work even on vacation. Students will learn and practice prepositions of time, time phrases, and related vocabulary. The lesson includes plenty of engaging discussion activities and worksheets specifically designed for both adults and teenagers, ensuring a dynamic and thought-provoking learning experience.

B2 Upper-Intermediate   |   General English, Business English, Speaking Lessons, English for HR   |   Video   |   Employment, Vacations, Work, Human Resources   |   45 min   | B2-5

In English grammar, time prepositions are crucial for indicating when something happens or the duration of an event. These prepositions are consistently used in both British and American English. Here's a guide to understanding and using time prepositions:

What are Time Prepositions?: Time prepositions are words that help to specify when an action or event occurs. They are key in providing temporal context in a sentence.

Common Time Prepositions:

• 'At': Used for specific times of the day. Example: "Meet me at 5 PM."
• 'In': Indicates longer periods such as months, years, seasons, or centuries. Example: "She was born in 1990."
• 'On': Used for days and dates. Example: "We will go out on Friday."
• 'Before': Indicates an event that happens earlier than another. Example: "Finish your homework before dinner."
• 'After': The opposite of 'before', used for something following another event in time. Example: "Let’s meet after the meeting."
• 'During': Used to indicate something happening within a certain time period. Example: "She slept during the flight."
• 'For': Specifies the duration of an event. Example: "They lived in France for two years."
• 'Since': Indicates the starting point of an action or event that continues to the present. Example: "He has been working here since 2005."
• 'Until' or 'Till': Marks the end of a duration. Example: "Stay here until I return."

Usage in Sentences: Time prepositions are essential for setting the time frame in sentences. For example, "I have a meeting in the morning."

Importance in Planning and Narration: These prepositions are particularly important in planning events, scheduling, historical narration, and everyday conversation about time-related activities.

Pairing with Specific Times and Events: Time prepositions are often paired with specific times, dates, or periods to provide clarity about when something happened or will happen. For example, "arrive at 10 AM", or "on December 5th".

Understanding time prepositions is vital for accurately describing when events occur. They play a key role in communication, especially when making plans, discussing schedules, and narrating events, ensuring clarity and precision in the timing of actions.