Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of time provide information about the time something happened. Using them will help us add details about time to our sentences.
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
I'll have to watch it
The doctor will see you
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.
Sally
- Adverbs that talk about how long are usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Bake the cake
She hasn't been quite herself
They have lived in this mansion
By changing the placement of adverbs of time in a sentence, emphasis can be placed on a specific aspect of the sentence.
She
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
She worked in a café
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
- length of time
She stayed
- a relation between two points in time
I called her several times
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