Preposition of time (kata depan yang menunjukkan waktu)

Prepositions of time menunjukkan waktu terjadinya sesuatu. Contoh: “I get up at 7.00″ menunjukkan waktu dimana saya bangun.

Beberapa preposisi waktu yang paling umum adalah: in, on, at, from, to.

In

In digunakan untuk waktu pagi (morning), sore (afternoon), dan malam (evening). Contoh:

• I study Japanese in the afternoon.
• He gets up early in the morning.

In juga digunakan untuk periode-periode waktu yang lain, termasuk bulan (month), musim (season), tahun (years), abad (centuries), dan zaman (ages). Contoh:

• My birthday is in March.
• The Portuguese came to Japan in 1542.
• Flowers grow in spring.

On

On hampir selalu digunakan untuk beberapa jenis hari. Contoh:

• My birthday is on March 29th.
• I go to church on Sunday.
• We visit my family on New Year’s Day.

Bandingkan kedua kalimat berikut:

• He gets up early in the morning.
• He gets up early on Monday morning

At

At digunakan untuk waktu tertentu. Misalnya:

• - I study Spanish at 2.00.
• - He gets up at 7.30.
• - I come home at lunchtime.

At juga digunakan untuk waktu malam.

Bandingkan kedua kalimat berikut:

• I sleep in the afternoon
• I sleep at night

From - to

From dan to digunakan untuk menunjukkan permulaan dan akhir periode waktu yang telah ditentukan. Contoh:

• I work from 9.00 to 5.00.
• Our vacation is from January 5th to February 1st.

Contoh penggunaan dalam percakapan

1) What are you doing at the weekend?
On Saturday I’m meeting my friends at 2.00, and in the evening I’m watching a movie. On Sunday I’m not busy, so maybe we can go out together.
That sounds great!

2) I’m so busy these days!
How come?
I get up at 6.30 in the morning, and I finish work at 8.00 in the evening. It’s a really long day.
You’re so busy!
I know. My boss wants our project finished in March, so we’re working really hard.
I think you need a holiday.
Well, in the summer I have three weeks holiday. I can’t wait!

3) Hello, this is doctor Watson’s clinic. How can I help you?
Hello, this is Tyler Saunders. I’d like to make an appointment.
OK, Mr. Saunders. How about on Tuesday at 3.30?
I’m busy all day on Tuesday. Is Friday OK?
Well, the doctor can see you in the morning at 9.30.
9.30 on Friday is fine.
Very good, Mr Saunders. We look forward to seeing you.
Thankyou, good bye.
Goodbye.