Understanding Time Prepositions: "By," "Between," and "Past"

Mastering time prepositions is essential for expressing deadlines, schedules, and specific moments accurately in English. Today, we’ll dive into three commonly used time prepositions—"by," "between," and "past"—and explore how each of these is used with examples.

1. Using "By": No Later Than a Specific Time

The preposition by indicates a deadline or a point in time when something needs to be completed, meaning no later than a specified time. In other words, the action should be done at or before this time.

Example Sentences:

• You have to be at work by 9 o'clock.
• Please finish the report by Friday.

Key Tip: Remember that "by" refers to the latest time the action should happen; it can happen earlier but not later.

2. Using "Between": After One Time and Before Another Time

The preposition between is used to indicate a time range that begins after one specific time and ends before another. It helps define a period where something occurs or a range within which activities happen.

Example Sentences:

• You can call me between 9:00 and 11:00.
• I often chat with my friends between classes.

Key Tip: Use "between" to specify a timeframe that falls within two points, allowing flexibility for actions that may happen anytime during that period.

3. Using "Past": After a Specific Time

The preposition past is used to indicate a time after a certain point. Unlike by, which refers to the latest time for an action, past simply refers to something happening after a particular time.

Example Sentences:

• They arrived home past midnight.
• It's already past midnight; let's call it a night.