Prepositions Used to Express Time Periods
▶️ within
Within" is used to express that something will happen inside a certain
time period.
I will finish the report
within two days (The report will
be completed no later than two days from now.)
The clothes I bought online are supposed to arrive
within a week.
We'd better find a new place to live
within two months, otherwise we'd be homeless.
The wedding is in six months, so we need to finalize all the details
within
that time frame.
▶️ during
"During" is used to say when something happens and it is often
followed by a noun that represents an event or a period of time.
I met a lot of interesting people
during my stay in New York.
What did you do
during the weekend?
I plan to visit my grandparents
during the holidays.
Consumer spending had dropped significantly
during the past eight months.
During the first few minutes of
the meeting, the power was out.
▶️ throughout
"Throughout" refers to the entire duration of a period of time or
every part of a place. It is used when something is continuously
happening during a certain period, or in all parts of a certain area.
It rained
throughout the night
(This sentence indicates that it rained all night without stopping.)
I was really bored
throughout the meeting.
I worked
throughout the week
as the deadline was approaching.
It's important to stay hydrated
throughout the day, especially
in hot weather.
▶️ for
In terms of time, "for" is used to specify the duration or length of
time an action has been occurring.
I've been waiting here
for two hours.
James has lived in Canada
for five years.
Kevin has worked as chief of the advertising section of our company
for ten years.
The interview went on
for almost 3 hours.
▶️ in
When combined with a specific period in the past, 'in' is used to
signify 'during that certain period'. Similarly, 'in' plus a certain
period in the future means 'during that upcoming period'. for example,
'in the past few years', 'in 10 minutes', or 'in a week'.
In the last six years, the value of a house has increased by 35% in this country.
I haven't gone outside very much
in the past few years.
I want to lose at least 10 pounds
in two months.
Can you finish the job
in two weeks?
She could get that essay done
in a couple of hours
if she really tried.
I'm just setting off, so I should be with you
in half an hour.
I haven't had a decent night's sleep
in years.
▶️ until/till
We didn't eat till past
midnight.
We waited
till nine
to have breakfast because that was when our favorite cafe opened.
I was up
until three o'clock trying to get my work finished!
The conference is postponed
until the
end of this month.
Mr. Garcia will be out of the office
until June 18.
▶️ by
All staff are required to hand in the report
by 6 p. m.
I will finish my homework by 4
p. m.
Can we finish this meeting by five? I have to pick up my son at five-thirty.
▶️ since
Susan has worked for the payroll department at the headquarters
since she joined the company 5 years ago.
He has been unemployed
since last June.
I have been happily married for 14 years,
since the age of 22.
▶️ before/before
The construction work will be completed
before August.
Most landlords require full payment of the security deposit
before the tenant receives the
keys.
I need to clean out my closet
before
the end of the summer and donate any clothes I no longer wear.
Tenants should clean the apartment a few days
before
the move-out date.
before
going back to school, I will need to make arrangements for childcare
if necessary.