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Interactive Audio Lesson
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Introduction to Prepositions of Time
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Today, we are going to learn about prepositions of time. Can anyone tell me what a preposition is?
Isn't it a word that shows the relationship between a noun and other words in a sentence?
Exactly! Prepositions of time tell us when something happens. Let's start with 'in.' Who can give me an example?
We say 'in July' or 'in winter.'
Great! 'In' is used for months, years, seasons, and parts of the day like 'in the morning'. Remember, we don’t say 'in night.' Instead, we use 'at' for specific times, like 'at 6 o'clock.' Can anyone give me an example of 'at'?
You can say 'at night' or 'at sunset.'
Exactly! Let's summarize: 'in' is for longer periods, while 'at' is for specific times. Remember this, and it will help you avoid mistakes!
Using 'On' and 'Since'
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Now, let's look at 'on.' Can someone tell me how it's used?
'On' is used for specific days and dates, like 'on Monday' or 'on my birthday.'
Spot on! Now, what about 'since'? How do we use 'since' in a sentence?
'Since' refers to a specific point in time. For example, 'I have lived here since 2010.'
Perfect! 'Since' emphasizes the starting point of an action, which continues up to the present. So, we say, 'I have been studying since morning.' How can we remember these hints?
Maybe by using a rhyme like: 'On for days in view, since starts a moment anew!'
That's creative! Summarizing, remember that 'on' is for specific days, and 'since' links a starting time to now.
Exploring 'For', 'By', and 'During'
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Let's continue with 'for'. Who can explain how we use 'for'?
'For' indicates a duration of time. Like, 'I studied for three hours.'
Excellent! Now, 'by' means not later than a certain time. Can someone provide an example?
We could say 'I need the report by Friday.'
Exactly! So 'by' indicates a deadline. Lastly, what about 'during'?
'During' is used for a specific time frame, like 'during the meeting.'
Great job! To summarize, 'for' shows duration, 'by' is for deadlines, and 'during' is for time periods. Keep practicing!
Common Errors and Review
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As we wrap up, let’s discuss some common mistakes. A common error is confusing 'in' and 'at' for places. Can someone give an example of this mistake?
Someone might say 'I live in 24, Main Street' instead of 'at 24, Main Street.'
That's a great example! How about using 'between' and 'among' incorrectly?
'Between' should be for two, and 'among' for more than two, right? Like 'between two friends' vs. 'among a group.'
Perfect! Let’s recap: Use 'in' for larger areas, 'on' for specific days, 'at' for specific times, and be mindful of common errors. Any last questions?
Nope! I feel confident about using these prepositions now!
Wonderful! Keep practicing and pay attention to the context when using these prepositions.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore the different prepositions of time in English, such as 'in', 'on', 'at', 'since', and 'for'. Each preposition is defined with clear examples to illustrate its correct usage, and it also highlights common mistakes to avoid.
Detailed
Prepositions of Time
Prepositions of time are crucial for indicating when something happens. They help clarify the timing of events in both spoken and written communication. Here are the main prepositions of time discussed in this section:
- In: Used for months, years, seasons, and parts of the day (except night). For instance, we say "in July", "in 2025", "in winter", and "in the morning".
- On: Used for specific days and dates. Examples include "on Sunday" and "on 15th August".
- At: Indicates a specific time, night, festivals, etc. For example, we use "at 6 o'clock", "at night", and "at Diwali".
- Since: Refers to a specific point in time continuing up to now, such as "since morning".
- For: Indicates a duration of time (e.g., "for three hours").
- By: Means not later than, illustrated with examples like "by tomorrow".
- Until/Till: Used to indicate up to a point in time, as in "wait until evening".
- During: Suggests a time within a certain period, as in "during the holidays".
Understanding these prepositions helps avoid common errors and improves clarity in communication.
Audio Book
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Using 'In' for Time
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● In: Months, years, seasons, parts of the day (except night). e.g., in July, in 2025, in winter, in the morning
Detailed Explanation
The preposition 'in' is used to refer to larger time periods such as months, years, seasons, or parts of the day. It helps specify when something happens. For example, when you say 'in July,' you are identifying a specific month within the year. Similarly, 'in winter' refers to an entire season.
Examples & Analogies
Think of planning a vacation. If you plan to go 'in July,' you’re considering going during the whole month, not just a single day. This way of indicating time is like saying, 'I’m going on a trip in summer.' It sets a broad timeframe for your plans.
Using 'On' for Specific Days
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● On: Specific days, dates. e.g., on Sunday, on 15th August
Detailed Explanation
The preposition 'on' is used to refer to specific days or dates. This indicates a precise moment in time. For instance, when you say 'on Sunday,' it clearly denotes that something is happening on that particular day, like a meeting or a gathering. Similarly, 'on 15th August' refers to an exact date.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine you are invited to a birthday party. If the invitation says 'on Saturday,' you know the party is happening specifically that day, which helps in planning your schedule. It's very different from saying 'in summer,' which could mean any time during that season.
Using 'At' for Specific Times
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● At: Specific time, night, festivals. e.g., at 6 o'clock, at night, at Diwali
Detailed Explanation
The preposition 'at' is used for specific times and events. It brings clarity by pinpointing a moment. For example, when saying 'at 6 o'clock,' you indicate the exact time an event will occur. 'At night' refers to the specific part of the day, while 'at Diwali' refers to the festival's celebration time.
Examples & Analogies
Think about scheduling a call. If you say 'let’s talk at 5 PM,' you’re setting a precise time for the conversation. It helps the other person plan their day around that specific hour. It’s the same when celebrating events 'at Christmas,' when all the festivities will occur exactly during that holiday.
Using 'Since' and 'For'
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● Since: From a point in time up to now. e.g., since morning
● For: Duration of time. e.g., for three hours
Detailed Explanation
The preposition 'since' is used to indicate a specific starting point in time and continues until the present. For example, 'I have been working since 8 AM' implies you started at that particular time and are still working now. The preposition 'for' denotes a duration or length of time something has been happening. For example, 'I studied for three hours' conveys how long you studied.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine training for a marathon. If you say, 'I have been running since January,' it indicates when you began your training and that you’re still engaged in it. Conversely, if you say, 'I practiced for three hours,' it describes how long you spent running during your training session.
Using 'By', 'Until', 'During'
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● By: Not later than. e.g., by tomorrow
● Until/Till: Up to a point in time. e.g., wait until evening
● During: Throughout a period. e.g., during the holidays
Detailed Explanation
The preposition 'by' indicates a deadline or limit in time. For example, 'I need the report by Friday' means the report should be completed before or on that day. 'Until' or 'till' signifies a stopping point in time, as in 'wait until evening.' In contrast, 'during' covers a time span when something happens, such as 'during the summer holidays,' indicating an ongoing occurrence.
Examples & Analogies
Think about a project deadline. If you tell your team, 'Finish by Monday,' they know they have to complete their tasks before that day arrives. If someone suggests, 'Let’s meet until noon,' it sets a clear time to stop meeting, whereas saying, 'We learned a lot during our trip' suggests you gained knowledge throughout the entire duration of the trip.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
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In: Used for longer time frames.
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On: Used for specific days.
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At: Used for specific times.
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Since: Refers to a starting point continuing to now.
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For: Indicates duration.
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By: Indicates a deadline.
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Until/Till: Indicates up to a certain point.
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During: Refers to a specific time frame.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
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I have a meeting in January.
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She will arrive on Friday.
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We will meet at 3 PM.
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I have lived here since 2015.
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He studied for two hours.
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The project is due by next Monday.
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I wait until 5 PM.
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They stayed quiet during the lecture.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
🎵 Rhymes Time
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In for months, on for days, at for time, you’ll amaze!
📖 Fascinating Stories
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Once upon a time, a preposition named 'In' lived in a beautiful month called July. Every day, he would meet with 'On,' who loved specific days like Fridays, and 'At,' who was always punctual for every hour.
🧠 Other Memory Gems
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Think of the mnemonic 'BIOS' to remember: B for 'By,' I for 'In,' O for 'On,' S for 'Since.'
🎯 Super Acronyms
Remember as IBOFS
- I: (In)
- B: (By)
- O: (On)
- F: (For)
- S: (Since).
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
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Term: In
Definition:
A preposition used for months, years, seasons, and periods of the day.
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Term: On
Definition:
A preposition used for specific days and dates.
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Term: At
Definition:
A preposition used for specific times and locations.
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Term: Since
Definition:
A preposition indicating the starting point of an action up to now.
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Term: For
Definition:
A preposition indicating the duration of time.
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Term: By
Definition:
A preposition indicating a deadline or not later than a certain point.
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Term: Until/Till
Definition:
Prepositions indicating up to a certain point in time.
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Term: During
Definition:
A preposition used to indicate a time frame within which something occurs.