14. Using Prepositions of Place and Time

Understanding prepositions of place and time is crucial for anyone learning English, especially at the A2 or intermediate level. These prepositions help us describe where things are located and when events occur, making our communication more precise and effective. In this lesson, we will delve into the usage of common prepositions of place and time, providing examples and exercises to reinforce your learning.

Prepositions of Place

Prepositions of place describe the position of a noun in relation to another object. Here are some of the most commonly used prepositions of place:

• In: Used to describe something that is inside a space. For example, "The cat is in the box."
• On: Used when something is resting on a surface. For example, "The book is on the table."
• At: Used to indicate a specific point or location. For example, "She is at the bus stop."
• Under: Used when something is below or beneath another object. For example, "The shoes are under the bed."
• Next to: Used to describe something that is beside or adjacent to another object. For example, "The lamp is next to the sofa."
• Between: Used when something is in the middle of two objects. For example, "The park is between the school and the library."
• Behind: Used when something is at the back of another object. For example, "The dog is behind the fence."
• In front of: Used to describe something that is before another object. For example, "The car is in front of the house."
• Above: Used when something is higher than another object. For example, "The picture is above the fireplace."
• Below: Used when something is lower than another object. For example, "The basement is below the ground level."

Examples and Exercises

Let's look at some examples and exercises to practice using prepositions of place:

Example 1: "The keys are on the counter."

Example 2: "The painting is above the sofa."

Exercise: Choose the correct preposition of place for the following sentences:

1. The cat is ______ the chair. (under/over)
2. The books are ______ the shelf. (on/in)
3. She is standing ______ the door. (at/in)
4. The ball is ______ the two boxes. (between/among)
5. The coffee shop is ______ the corner. (at/on)

Prepositions of Time

Prepositions of time help us specify when something happens. Here are some common prepositions of time:

• At: Used for specific times of the day. For example, "The meeting is at 3 PM."
• On: Used for days and dates. For example, "The party is on Saturday."
• In: Used for longer periods such as months, years, centuries, and long periods. For example, "We will travel in June."
• By: Indicates a deadline or the latest time something will happen. For example, "Submit the report by Friday."
• During: Used to talk about something that happens within a particular period of time. For example, "She slept during the movie."
• For: Used to indicate the duration of time. For example, "He has lived here for ten years."
• Since: Used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues to the present. For example, "I have been studying since morning."
• Until: Used to indicate the end time of an action. For example, "The store is open until 9 PM."

Examples and Exercises

Here are some examples and exercises to practice using prepositions of time:

Example 1: "The show starts at 7 PM."

Example 2: "We met on Monday."

Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time:

1. We will meet ______ noon. (at/on)
2. She was born ______ 1995. (in/on)
3. He will arrive ______ the morning. (in/at)
4. They have been friends ______ high school. (since/for)
5. The project is due ______ next week. (by/in)

Additional Tips

Understanding the context is key to choosing the right preposition. Here are some additional tips to help you:

• When talking about specific times, such as hours or minutes, use at.
• For days and dates, use on.
• For months, years, centuries, and long periods, use in.
• Remember that some expressions are fixed, such as "at night," "in the morning," "on time," etc.

Conclusion

Prepositions of place and time are essential components of English grammar. They help us convey precise information about where and when events occur. By practicing with examples and exercises, you can improve your ability to use these prepositions correctly. Remember to pay attention to the context and fixed expressions to make your communication clear and effective.

As you continue your journey in mastering the English language, keep practicing these prepositions in your daily conversations and writing. The more you use them, the more natural they will become. Happy learning!