Английские предлоги и фразовые конструкции. Простые объяснения, современные примеры, практические задания

They have been friends ___ ten years.

She has lived in Paris ___ March.

We have been waiting ___ half an hour.

He has studied French ___ he was a teenager.

The dog has slept ___ two hours.

I have known this city ___ my childhood.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b

Exercise 2:

1-since

2-for

3-since

4-for

5-since

6-for

7-since

Check Your Understanding – Example Answers:

Mia has studied piano since she was six years old.

She has played tennis for three years.

She moved to the new city since March last year.

Using since and for helps Mia track the duration of her activities and see her progress.

Пример личного ответа: «I have been learning English for five years, and I have known my best friend since primary school.»

By, Until, Till – Deadlines and Time Limits

Word Power

By

Значение: не позднее указанного времени, к определённому моменту.

Примеры:

Please submit your report by Friday. – Пожалуйста, сдайте отчёт к пятнице.

I need to finish this project by 6 p.m. – Мне нужно закончить проект к 18:00.

Until / Till

Значение: до определённого момента времени; till – более разговорный вариант.

Примеры:

We waited until the rain stopped. – Мы ждали до тех пор, пока дождь не закончился.

She stayed at the office till 8 p.m. – Она оставалась в офисе до 20:00.

Reading Text

James has a busy schedule this week. He has several tasks with strict deadlines. His first assignment must be completed by Wednesday. He plans his time carefully to make sure he finishes by the due date.

During the morning, he studies and works on smaller tasks until lunchtime. He focuses without interruption, knowing that he must continue until the work is done. After lunch, he checks emails and prepares for meetings, making sure everything is on track by the end of the day.

On Wednesday evening, he realizes that completing work by the deadline gives him a sense of satisfaction. Sometimes, he stays at the office till late, but it is worth it to meet the deadlines. He also notes that he should not wait until the last minute to start tasks, because it can be stressful. Planning ahead and following deadlines by, staying focused until, and sometimes working till the evening, helps James manage his time efficiently and reduces pressure.

By the end of the week, James feels proud of completing all assignments by their deadlines. He knows that understanding and using by, until, and till correctly makes scheduling tasks clear and reliable.

Check Your Understanding

By when must James complete his first assignment?

How long does James work in the morning?

Give an example of when he stays till late.

How do by, until, and till help James manage his schedule?

Describe a situation in your life when you had to finish something by a deadline or wait until/till a certain time.

Build Your Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Multiple Choice

Please send the email ___ 5 p.m.

a) until

b) by

c) till

d) at

We stayed in the café ___ it started raining.

a) by

b) until

c) on

d) in

She worked ___ midnight to finish the project.

a) by

b) until

c) on

d) for

Complete the homework ___ Friday.

a) till

b) by

c) until

d) in

Exercise 2 – Fill in the Gaps

Fill in the blanks with by, until, or till:

We need to finish the report ___ Monday.

He read the book ___ late at night.

The train does not leave ___ 9 a.m.

She waited ___ her friend arrived.

Complete the task ___ the deadline.

I stayed at the library ___ it closed.

Submit your application ___ the end of the month.

Answer Key

Exercise 1: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b, 4-b

Exercise 2:

1-by

2-till

3-until

4-until

5-by

6-till

7-by

Check Your Understanding – Example Answers:

James must complete his first assignment by Wednesday.