Prepositions of time

A Sample sentences

Ш During the last quarter we started to use a new packaging material.

Ш Next year we are opening a branch office in Minsk.

B Uses

1 For and during:

The meeting lasted for two hours. – length of activity

During the meeting we had a short adjournment. – period within which another activity happened

The computer went down during the night. – period of time providing a time frame when the event happened

2 Before and after:

Before acceptance there will be a period of testing.

The product will be maintained by us after signature of the contract.

3 During and while:

During is a preposition; while is a subordinating conjunction. Notice the parallel meanings in the following sentences:

During our visit to the plant, we saw the equipment in operation.

While we were visiting the plant we saw the equipment in operation.

Notes

1 Last night and tonight:

Last night = the night of yesterday

Tonight = the night of today

2 The before previous, following, next and last with day or parts of the day:

We use the when we use the above words in time expressions not related to now.

The previous evening = the evening before the one mentioned

The following morning = the morning after the one mentioned

The next afternoon = the afternoon after the one mentioned

3 Beginning, middle and end:

At the beginning of the year we commissioned a quality study.

but: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

She interrupted us in the middle of the meeting.

At the end of the contract there is a clause you should read.

In the end and after much discussion they agreed to the new terms.

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