Understanding how to place events in time is essential for clear communication in English. Prepositions of time like since, before, during, after, and until help you describe when something happens, how long it lasts, and the order of events. Mastering these small but powerful words will improve both your writing and speaking skills.
How do you use since and before to talk about time?
The preposition since refers to a previous point in time, usually a specific date or moment when something started [0:38]. It works with several grammar tenses, not only present perfect simple. Here are two clear examples:
- It was the band's first live performance since May 1990.
- We have waited for you since 7:00 AM.
Notice how since always points back to the exact moment an action or situation began.
The preposition before means earlier than a specific event, time, or action [1:14]. You can pair it with a clock time, an event, or a verb:
- Can you call me before 5:00 PM please?
- I met her just before she left.
- Please let me know before contacting the client.
When before comes right before a verb, that verb must take the -ING form (also called the gerund form). This is a key grammar rule to remember.
What is the difference between after, during, and until?
How does after work as a preposition of time?
After is the opposite of before — it signals something later in time or next in sequence [1:55]. Just like before, it can precede a time, an event, or an action in gerund form:
- Please don't text me after 10:00 PM unless it's an emergency.
- Shall we have a swim after lunch?
- After listening to the customers, we understood their needs.
Remember: when you conjugate an action with before or after, the verb stays in -ING form.
When should you use during?
During describes something that happens over a period of time or throughout the whole duration of an event [2:40]. It highlights an ongoing situation:
- One day during World War II, her father just disappeared.
- You're not allowed to use your cell phone during class.
A common mistake is confusing during with for. Use during when you name the event or period, not a length of time.
What does until mean and how is 'til different?
The preposition until (or its informal short form 'til) means up to a certain point in time [3:10]. It marks the moment when something stops:
- We played chess until midnight.
- The film didn't end till 11 o'clock.
The only difference between until and 'til is register: 'til is casual, while until fits both formal and informal contexts.
How do from and until work together?
When you need to express the beginning and the end of a period, combine from and until [3:38]. This structure clearly frames a time window:
- I worked out at the gym from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM.
- The road outside our house will be closed from 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM tomorrow.
This pairing is extremely useful for schedules, business hours, and daily routines.
How can you practice choosing the right preposition?
Putting these prepositions into practice solidifies your understanding. Here are five sentences that appeared as exercises [4:16]:
- I completed the test before the time ran out.
- We have worked on this new project since January.
- After finishing the class, I will go to the movies.
- We played basketball until 3:00 PM.
- The restaurant is open from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM.
A great way to reinforce these patterns is to write your own sentences using each preposition. Try creating examples from your daily life — your work schedule, your morning routine, or plans for the weekend — and share them in the comments for feedback.
