Advanced Prepositions of Time 1. Use each preposition once to complete the schedule. during within at from in until by for after on Preliminary studies will be carried out (1) ……… January to June of next year. (2) ……… this period, the exact scope of the work will be evaluated, and a definitive quotation will be submitted (3) ……… 15 June latest. The customer will then have (4) ……… mid-September to study the proposal. After signature of the contract, work will begin (5) ……… 1 October and is expected to continue (6) ……… 18 months. A deposit of 20% will be payable at signature (7) ……… September; thereafter, invoices will be issued (8) ……… one week of completion of each stage of the project, for payment (9) ……… 90 days. The final 15% will not be invoiced until (10) ……… reception of the completed building. 2. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate preposition. a) I'm thinking of going to England ........ February. b) We waited and waited and still the bus didn't come. ........ the end, we decided to walk. c) It was incredibly difficult. times, I really thought we weren't going to make it. d) I've just about had enough of my job. It's the same old routine, day ........ day e) "I'm going to get another tape-recorder. ........ the meantime, could you read the questions to the listenings?" the teacher said. f) When she went to university in 1947, she was confronted with the real world. ........ until then, she had led an incredibly sheltered life. g) "Things are going to change around here," the new manager said. " ........ now ........ , all executive decisions will come through me." h) Her boss had had it in for her ........ the word go. i) After years of humiliation, it all changed. We started winning everything. ........ long last, we had a team we could be proud at j) It was a great job but I would be away from home for weeks ........ end. k) My grandparents threw a big party ........ their fiftieth wedding anniversary. l) Every once ........ a while, she throws a massive tantrum but generally she's very well-behaved. m)You've been late for the two meetings. Please try to be ........ time for this one. Revision 3. One, two or three of the options (A, B, C or D) can complete each of the sentences below. Circle them. 1 ……………… she would look up and smile. A Every so often B Seldom C From time to time D Every now and then 2 He's missed four classes ………………. A in a row B in the long run C on the trot D running 3 Well be there ………………. A shortly B the other day C any minute now D in next to no time 4 We have known each other for ………………. A quite a while B yonks C long-standing D all the time 5 He told me to do it ………………. A outright B on the dot C right away D straight away 6 ……………… hearing the news, she burst out laughing. A Having B When C With D On 7 We’ll have to work ……………… if we want to meet this deadline. A round the clock B all along C in the long run D all day long 8 He was amazed to see his long- …………… brother after so many years. A running B lasting C winded D lost 9 The writer J D Salinger was …………….. seen in public. A outright B right away C shortly D seldom 10 It was the most boring, long- ……………… speech I have ever had the misfortune to hear. A lasting B winded C standing D running 4. Read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap. 'I II be with you in a 1) ………………. " she said, turning to another customer. I was 2) ………………. late; I couldn't afford to wait "Sorry," I said, "It's just that I'm a bit 3) ………………. for time." She ignored me. I looked at my watch. Had I known 4) ………………. that the shop was going to be so busy, I wouldn't have gone in. But I didn't know and now I was half-5) ………………. buying a tie and the sales assistant had my credit card. My interview was in an hour's time, but it was across town. The journey would take 6) ………………. fifty minutes. It was time for drastic action. 1 A beat B stroke C tick D chime 2 A pushing B running C heading D turning 3 A short B slow C pressed D pulled 4 A prior B in anticipation C beforehand D formerly 5 A way through B way along C in the middle of D through the middle 6 A give or take B round about C anywhere between D in rough