Prepositions of Time — Deeper
An A2 guide that goes beyond basic at/in/on — how to use for, since, during, until, by, from…to, and ago to talk about durations, deadlines, and ranges of time.
What These Time Words Are
You already know at, in, and on for points and periods of time (at 5 pm, in July, on Monday). This lesson goes one step further: it covers the smaller “linking” words that tell us how long, from when, inside what period, up to which point, and by what deadline.
I have lived here for six years.
I have lived here since 2019.
I will be home by 8 pm.
These small words make a big difference in meaning, so getting them right is worth the effort.
for vs. since (duration vs. starting point)
Both for and since answer the question “how long?” — but in different ways.
| Word | Use it with | Example |
|---|---|---|
for | a length of time (3 hours, 2 weeks, 10 years) | I have studied English for three years. |
since | a point in time (2010, last Monday, my birthday) | I have studied English since 2021. |
We have been friends for 20 years. (a length)
We have been friends since high school. (a starting point)
She has lived in Madrid for six months.
She has lived in Madrid since June.
Quick test: if you can ask “how long?” and answer with a number plus a time word, use for. If the answer is a date, day, or moment, use since.
during (inside a period)
During means inside / in the course of a period of time. It is followed by a noun, not a verb.
I fell asleep during the film.
We do not talk during the lesson.
It rained heavily during the night.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
during + noun (event) | during the meeting, during the holidays |
during + noun (time period) | during the night, during summer |
Be careful: during answers when, not how long. For length, use for.
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
I slept for eight hours. | |
I slept during the film. |
until / till (up to a point)
Until (or the shorter till) means up to a particular time. The action stops at that point.
The shop is open until 9 pm.
Wait here until I come back.
I lived in Tokyo until last year.
Till is just a more informal version of until. Both are correct.
I'll wait till Friday.
The library is open till 8.
A useful test: if you can replace the word with “up to”, until fits.
I worked until 5 pm. → I worked up to 5 pm. ✓
by (deadline)
By means not later than a particular time. It is for a deadline.
Please send the report by Friday. (= on Friday or earlier — not later)
I'll be home by 8. (= at 8 or earlier)
Finish your homework by Sunday.
Until and by look similar but mean different things:
| Word | Idea | Example |
|---|---|---|
until | the action continues to that time | I'll wait until 8. (I am waiting now and will keep waiting until 8.) |
by | the action is finished at or before that time | I'll be there by 8. (I will arrive at 8 or earlier.) |
The shop is open until 9. (open the whole time, closes at 9)
I'll arrive by 9. (I’ll be there at or before 9 — one event)
from … to (a range)
From … to shows the start and end of a period.
The lesson is from 9 to 10.
I work from Monday to Friday.
The shop is open from 8 am to 9 pm.
You can also use from … until with the same meaning. From … till is a more informal alternative.
We waited from morning until evening.
The party went on from 8 till midnight.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
from + start, to + end | from June to August |
from + start, until + end | from Monday until Friday |
ago (going back from now)
Ago measures distance into the past from now. It comes after a length of time, not before, and we use it with the past simple.
I moved here three years ago.
She called five minutes ago.
We met a long time ago.
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
length + ago | two days ago, ten years ago |
Compare ago with for and since:
| Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|
I started this job two years ago. | The action happened two years before now (past simple). |
I have had this job for two years. | The action started two years ago and continues now (present perfect). |
I have had this job since 2024. | The action started in 2024 and continues now (present perfect). |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better | Why |
|---|---|---|
I have lived here since five years. | I have lived here for five years. | Since needs a point in time; for takes a length. |
She has worked here for 2020. | She has worked here since 2020. | Since takes the starting point (a year). |
I slept during eight hours. | I slept for eight hours. | Use for for length, not during. |
I waited by the bus. (= until the bus came) | I waited until the bus came. | Use until when the action continues up to a point. |
Please finish until Friday. | Please finish by Friday. | A deadline takes by, not until. |
I moved here ago five years. | I moved here five years ago. | Ago comes after the time expression. |
The shop is open from 8 to until 9. | The shop is open from 8 to 9. | Use one of to or until, not both. |
Practice: Exercises
I have studied English ___ five years.
Summary
For lengths of time, use for (for two hours); for starting points, use since (since 2010). When you are talking about something happening inside another period, use during (during the film).
For an action that continues up to a point, use until / till (open until 9); for a deadline by which something must be finished, use by (by Friday). To show a range, use from … to / until (from 9 to 5).
Finally, ago measures distance back into the past from now, goes after the length, and pairs with the past simple: I started two years ago. Match each preposition to its job and these patterns will start to feel automatic.