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 or for how long an action takes place.
Common Adverbs of Time
The most common adverbs of time are those that refer to a specific moment in the past, present, or future and further clarify the time of the action signaled by the tense of the verb. They include:
past: yesterday, last year, just, before, previously, recently
present: still, today, now
future: tomorrow, soon, next week, later
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 (duration)
She stayed for 4 hours.
a relation between two points in time
We had dinner at a restaurant and went for a walk afterward.
Adverbs of Time: Placement
The placement of adverbs of time in a sentence can vary depending on the specific adverb being used.
Adverbs that refer to a point in time and answer the question '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.
However, these adverbs can also appear in other positions for emphasis.
We can place them at the beginning of the sentence (the initial position) or before the main verb (the middle position), especially in formal and literary contexts.
Later that night, he passed away.
Sally eventually showed up at the wedding.
Soon they were in the car and ready to leave town.
She immediately contacted the authorities.
Adverbs that answer the question 'for how long?' (duration) 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.
Adverbs of Time: Order
Adverbs of time modify a verb to tell us when (time) and for how long (duration) an action takes place.
If you want to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use the adverb that shows duration (for how long) before the adverb that shows time (when).
Here are some examples:
I studied abroad for two months (How long?) last year (When?).
She worked in a café for a week (How long?) last month (When?).
Review
Adverbs of time are usually used at the end of sentences to refer to a point in time or to a length of time. Adverbs of time help clarify the tense of the sentence by referring to:
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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