Preposition of Time and Place in English (with Example Sentences)
A preposition is a word (such as in, from, to, at, on, etc.) which is used before a noun or pronoun to show place, position, time or method.
Prepositions of time: in, on, at, etc.
Preposition | Usages | Examples |
|---|---|---|
In | Centuries | The event happened in the 20th century. She was the only writer born in the 19th century. |
Seasons | I’m going to France in the winter. He likes going to the beach in the summer. | |
Years | He was born in 1990. This house was built in 2000. | |
Months | We’ll take the test in June. They are going to get married in December. | |
Parts of day | He usually has a snack in the afternoon. I get up at 6 am in the morning. | |
On | Days | My mom always goes shopping on Mondays. He doesn’t go to school on Sundays. |
Dates | Her birthday is on the first of May. He’s leaving on the fifth of October. | |
Particular days | I wish to get a doll on my birthday. Jim gave his girlfriend a rose on Valentine’s day. | |
At | Clock time | My grandpa goes to bed at 9 pm. My wife starts working at 8am. |
Short and precise times | at night, at noon, at lunchtime, at sunset Don’t stay up late at night. See you at lunchtime. |
Prepositions of place: in, on, at, behind, above, in front of, under,...
Preposition | Usages | Examples |
|---|---|---|
In | Room, town, country | The baby has gone. She isn’t in the room. He’s working in New York now. Nina is an American. She was born in America. |
Car, taxi | There’s a doll in the car. I’m in the taxi now. I’ll get there in 5 minutes. | |
Picture | Who’s this sexy lady in the picture? What can you see in the picture? | |
Book | I saw this writer in the book Harry Potter. There are lots of lively illustrations in the book. | |
The World | Which is the longest river in the world? Have a look at 3 best countries in the world. What do you think? | |
On | Streets | My house is on Jackson street. The kids are playing on the street. |
Islands | He lives on this island. There are not many people living on that island. | |
Surfaces: table, floor, wall | My teacher put the books on the table. Please put your shoes on the floor. The picture on the wall is fantastic. | |
A certain side (left, right) | Max is the tall boy standing on the right. Human heart is on the left side. | |
Public transports | We’re on the bus. Please switch your phone into airplane mode if you’re on a plane. | |
TV, radio | I saw her yesterday on TV. There have been lots of advertisements on radio these days. | |
At | For events | My grandpa goes to bed at 9 pm. My wife starts working at 8am. |
Meaning “next to” | at night, at noon, at lunchtime, at sunset Don’t stay up late at night. See you at lunchtime. | |
Somewhere typical | I am at school, while my parents are at work. Jim is watching movie at the cinema. | |
Behind | At/ toward the back of something/ someone | There is a big box behind the car. Can you see the street behind the building? |
In front of | The opposite of behind | The rabbit is in front of the tree. The girl is standing in front of the mirror. |
Under | Below the surface of something/ covered by something | The ball is under the tree. There are some flowers under the chair. |
Above | To a higher level than something/ someone (opposite with below) | The plane is flying above the tree. Please turn on the projector above your head. |
Across | From one side to the other side of something | The duck is swimming across the lake. The boy helped his grandma walk across the crowded street. |
Into | To a position in/ inside something | Throw the trash into the dustbin please. I can’t go into the water since it’s too cold. |
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