Question

Fill in the blank with a suitable preposition:
I'll be home _______ $7$ o'clock.

• A. By
• B. In
• C. On
• D. Since

Answer 1

The correct option is A By

Answer : A

Prepositions are words that indicate relationships with the other words in the sentence. Prepositions of time are used to denote time in a sentence.

Let's look at the usage of various alternatives in the option as preposition of time:

• by : to mean at or before a certain time and not after it
• in : to refer to a period of time, usually years / months / seasons / morning / afternoon / evening
• on : to refer to days / period of time
• since : to refer to a range of time (from one specific time to another)

A specific time period has been mentioned, implying that the speaker will be home either before or at or after that time. And among the options "by" is the only suitable preposition here.

Thus, the correct complete sentence is:

I'll be home BY 7 o'clock.