Problem with preposition (during, for, before, etc.)

[Ann Nguyen]

Hello,

I found that preposition is always my difficulty, so please help me corect these following sentences.

1. It's rained during the night for two or three hours.

2. Henry is 63. He'll be retireing from his job before two years' time.

3. In Britain people send each other cards on Christmas and many people go to the church on Christmas Day.

4. We're having a party on New Year's Eve.

5. The office will be closed during Christmas and New Year.

Many thanks.

[Yankee]

Hi Ann

Here are my suggestions (words in boldface type are corrections):

1. It rained during the night for two or three hours.

2. Henry is 63. He'll be retiring from his job within two years.
I would say either 'in two years' time' or 'within two years'. 'Within two years' seems to be the meaning you intended (i.e. in no more than two years' time).

3. In Britain people send each other cards at Christmas and many people go to the church on Christmas Day.
(Christmas cards are generally sent during the period of time just before Christmas Day.)

4. We're having a party on New Year's Eve.

5. The office will be closed on Christmas (Day) and New Year ('s Day).
If the office will be closed on more than just those two days, you might say this, for example:
The office will be closed between December 25th and January 1st.