Adverbs of Time 

Discover the rules for using adverbs of time, like 'recently', 'eventually', and 'frequently'. Detailed explanations and a quiz to test your knowledge.

"Adverbs of Time" in the English Grammar

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:

1.

past: yesterday, last year, just, before, previously, recently

2.

present: still, today, now

3.

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.

Example

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.

Example

Later that night, he passed away.

Sally eventually showed up at the wedding.

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Adverbs that talk about how long are usually placed at the end of the sentence.

Example

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.

Example

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:

Example

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)

Example

I will finish my homework tonight.

length of time

Example

She stayed for 4 hours.

a relation between two points in time

Example

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:


1.

Select all adverbs that refer to the past. (Select four.)

today

recently

yesterday

soon

now

just

later

previously

2.

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.

for hours
later
yesterday
now
3.

Match each sentence to the type of adverb of time.

The delegation will arrive tomorrow.
They lived in Oslo in the 2010s. They relocated to Berlin afterward.
We immediately reported the incident to security.
She practiced the violin for three hours.
Relation between point in time
Duration
Point in time (Present)
Point in time (Future)
4.

Which sentence correctly positions the adverb of time?

A

She yesterday finished her thesis after months of work.

B

We will leave soon for the airport to catch our flight.

C

The package arrived last Monday unexpectedly at noon.

D

They for two hours practiced the song before the show.

5.

Sort the words to form a correct sentence.

at
for
months
three
.
volunteered
the
she
last
shelter
summer

Comments

(3)
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Ehsan Padash
Jul 2024
The sentence “I’ve already called her several times” uses the adverb “already,” which indicates that the action has been completed before now. If you want to express a relationship between two points in time, you might say something like: “I called her several times before she finally answered.” “I’ve called her several times since yesterday.”
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Langeek
Jul 2024
Thanks for the feedback! Your statement is correct. We have edited the example.
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Raihaanah
Apr 2024
What is the difference between adverbs of time and preposition of time? Thanks
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