prepositions

BEFORE AFTER —previous to a time Ten o'clock is before eleven o'clock. —subsequent to a time Three o'clock is after two o'clock. DURING THROUGH, THROUGHOUT —for part of a period He slept during the day. (He slept from two P.M. until four P.M.) —for an entire period, and after He slept through the day. (He slept from 9 A.M. until 9 P.M. —at the same time as another event She slept during the football game. He slept throughout the day. AT AROUND, AT ABOUT BY —at an approximate time We will leave at around six. We will get there at about seven. —no later than a time We have to be there by seven-fifteen. by the time—when By the time you get here, we will have left. TO, OF TOWARDS —minutes before the hour It's ten to four. It's ten of four. —nearing a period of time It was towards evening when she called. BETWEEN WITHIN —after a time, and before another time They will arrive between five and six. —between now and a length of time They will be here within ten minutes. BEYOND, PAST UNTIL —after a time Our guests stayed beyond midnight. Our guests stayed past midnight. —up to, but not after a time The party will last until ten. FOR SINCE —during a length of time They have been here for a week. —between a past time and now They have been here since last Thursday. IN ON in time—not too late for an event Try to get here in time to help me. on time—at the required time He is punctual; he always arrives on time. on the dot—at the exact minute Be here at ten o'clock on the dot. —a century, decade, year, season, month He lived in the sixteenth century. That singer was popular in the eighties. We came here in the fall. —a day, days, a date, dates She is coming on Monday. She doesn't work on Tuesdays. I heard that singer on my birthday.