Grammar: Groups & phrases: Prepositional phrases: Expressing how / when / where / why

Expressing 'time'

Prepositional phrases may be used to express the time at which the main action of a clause happens. We commonly express time from two different perspectives: 'point in time' ('when') or 'duration' ('how long'). Duration is sometimes also called 'extent in time'. Common prepositions used for 'point in time' are about, around, at, before, on, over, since, and for 'duration' about, around, for. Note that since fixes a point in time from which on a period of time is then specified. 

point in time [when?]

The ferry leaves at 10.30. [When does the ferry leave?]
We usually get up before six o'clock. [When do we usually get up?]
Children expect presents on their birthday. [When do children expect presents?]
Flights are heavily booked over Chinese New Year. [When are flights heavily booked?]
The children have been waiting since 10 am. [Since when have they been waiting?]

duration [how long?]

We talked for two hours. [How long did we talk?]
They rested for five minutes. [How long did they rest?]

It is also possible to use noun groups to express duration: They rested five minutes. Another possibility is to combine an adverb with a noun group: We paused every ten minutes. This is especially used in expressions of 'frequency', which is a kind of duration.

The concept of 'time' is closely related to the concept of 'place', and so we find close similarities with the concepts 'location' and 'distance'. For more information on 'place', click on the menu on the left: Expressing 'place'

For PrimeTeach teaching activities which provide KS2 students with practice in using prepositions to indicate a period of time, see:
Hobbies game

For more information, see:

	Text types: Stories: Describing a setting
	Text types: Explanations: Sequencing events in time
	Text types: Explanations: Saying where things happen