LoginAdverbs of Time
Discover the rules for using adverbs of time, like 'recently', 'eventually', and 'frequently'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.
What Are Adverbs of Time?
Adverbs of time (also called temporal adverbs) modify a verb to tell us when and for how long an action takes place.
There are many adverbs of time in English and they are very commonly used.
Common Adverbs of Time
The most common adverbs of time are those that indicate a specific moment in the past, present, or future. They include:
past: yesterday, last year, just, before, previously, recently
present: still, today, now
future: tomorrow, soon, next week, later
Adverbs of Time: Placement
The placement of adverbs of time in a sentence can vary depending on the specific adverb being used.
Adverbs that talk about when are usually placed at the end of the sentence.
I couldn't watch the series yesterday.
I'll have to watch it today.
The doctor will see you now.
Adverbs that talk about when normally come at the end of the sentence, but they can appear in other positions to put emphasis on different parts.
We can place them at the beginning of the sentence or before the main verb, especially in literary contexts.
Later that night, he passed away.
Sally eventually showed up at the wedding.
Adverbs that talk about how long are usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Bake the cake for 45 minutes.
She hasn't been quite herself for a while.
They have lived in this mansion since the 1990s.
By changing the placement of adverbs of time in a sentence, emphasis can be placed on a specific aspect of the sentence.
Soon they were in the car and ready to leave town.
She immediately contacted the authorities.
Adverbs of Time: Order
Adverbs of time (also called temporal adverbs) modify a verb to tell us when and for how long an action takes place.
If you want to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, follow this order:
How long?
How often?
When?
Py attention to the examples:
I studies abroad for two months (How long?) last year (When?).
She worked in a café for three days (How long?) every week (How often?) last month (When?).
Formal Context
In formal style you can place adverbs of time at the beginning of a sentence before the main verb.
Adverbs of Time: Types
There are different types of adverbs of time. For example, we have adverbs of time that indicate:
a point in time (past, present, and future)
I will finish my homework tonight.
length of time
She stayed for 4 hours.
a relation between two points in time
I called her several times before she finally answered.
Review
Adverbs of time are usually used to refer to a point in time or to a length of time. adverbs of time express the following tenses and make the tense of these clauses clear.
past
present
future
Quiz:
Select all adverbs that refer to the past. (Select four.)
today
recently
yesterday
soon
now
just
later
previously
Complete each sentence using the appropriate adverb of time.
Maria called her grandmother
to check how she was doing.
I'm meeting my project group
after work.
I'm busy
, but I'd love to catch up tomorrow.
The kids have been watching TV
; it's time for a break.
Match each sentence to the type of adverb of time.
Which sentence correctly positions the adverb of time?
She yesterday finished her thesis after months of work.
We will leave soon for the airport to catch our flight.
The package arrived last Monday unexpectedly at noon.
They for two hours practiced the song before the show.
Sort the words to form a correct sentence.
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