For IN and WHEN ?

Question

[1]when
-I didn't know at the time of writing.
-In all the commotion I forgot to tell him the news.
-An appointment for May 12
[2]While
-The country is now at war.
-In all the commotion I forgot to tell him the news
-Over the next few days they got to know the town well.(During)
-I'm going away for a few days.
[3]As soon as
- On arriving home I discovered they had gone

These days I'm studying roles of prepositions,which are related to the time like a main function of when and while. The above indicates the summary I've organized.

Now I'd like to ask you a few more.

[Q] Can they be exchanged each other ? like this.

Q1) I didn't know at the time of writing. -> I didn't know when I can write. (okay?)

Q2) when I was at school I loved history -> In my being at school I loved history ( okay?) / in this case, the preposition of "at" doesn't look suitable.

Q3) An appointment for May 12 -> An appointment when May 12 (Okay?)

Q4) We must have been burgled while we were asleep -> We must have been burgled for our sleeping. ( in this case, the preposition of "in" doesn't look appropriate)

Q5) There are extra flights to Colorado during the winter.-> There are extra flights to Colorado over the winter.

Anyway, the most important thing I want to know is whether or not "prepositions" and "conjunctions" can be exchanged. If you kindly give me a detailed explanation, I will really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

Q1) I didn't know at the time of writing. -> I didn't know when I could write. (okay?)
The meaning is completely different.

Q2) when I was at school I loved history OK
-> In my being at school I loved history ( okay?) No, this is not natural.

Q3) An appointment for May 12 OK
-> An appointment when May 12 (Okay?) No, this is not natural. When introduces a (reduced) clause.
When operating the machinery, be sure to follow the safety procedures
When we talk next, we can set up the appointment.

.
Q4) We must have been burgled while we were asleep -> OK
We must have been burgled for our sleeping. No, this is not natural.
He must have been punished for (because of) his burgling.

Q5) There are extra flights to Colorado during the winter.-> There are extra flights to Colorado over the winter.
OK, but "during" is the preferred preposition.

Anyway, the most important thing I want to know is whether or not "prepositions" and "conjunctions" can be exchanged.
As a general rule, no. They are different parts of speech. Some prepositions can also serve as conjunctions, but this is rare. Check the dictionary in every case.

http://www.towson.edu/ows/prepositions.htm

http://www.towson.edu/ows/conjunctions.htm

Son James · Answer

Thanks a lot,Ms.Alpheccastars. I needed to write as  "In my staying at school I loved history","An appointment when it is on May 12" ,and " We must have been burgled for our sleeping." Since my thread was already fixed, I couldn't revise my faults. Then, did you mean if I find proper "preposition" and use it, can they be enough replaced with conjunction related to the time? Please confirm this if possible. Thanks again,Ms.Alpheccastars.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Son James "In my staying at school I loved history","An appointment when it is on May 12" ," We must have been burgled for our sleeping."

These are all unnatural.

It would be far easier to deal with your questions in depth if you asked only one question per thread.

Son James · Answer

Ah~ I see. When I find a proper sentence and feel I can change a conjunction clause to a preposition phrase, I will bring them here to confirm from you. It'd be better. Right? Thanks,Mr.Fivejedjon.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

I needed to write as "In my staying at school I loved history",

As a student, I loved history.
During my student days, I loved history.
When I was studying at school, I loved history.

I needed to write "An appointment when it is on May 12"

An appointment for / on May 12

I needed to write " We must have been burgled for our sleeping."

" We must have been burgled while sleeping."
" We must have been burgled when we were asleep."

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