Adverbs of Time
What Are Adverbs of Time?
These specialized modifiers help us place actions and events on the timeline of our experiences.
Adverbs of time tell us when something happens or how long it continues. They answer questions about timing and duration:
- When? (yesterday, now, soon)
- How long? (briefly, forever, temporarily)
They modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs by adding temporal information that helps listeners and readers understand exactly when or for how long something occurs.
Adverbs That Tell Us "When"
These pinpoint specific moments or periods when actions take place.
These adverbs answer the question "when?" and place events at particular points in time:
Common "When" Adverbs
- Now - "We need to leave now."
- Today - "The package will arrive today."
- Tomorrow - "I'll finish the project tomorrow."
- Yesterday - "She called me yesterday."
- Recently - "I recently changed my diet."
- Soon - "The train will depart soon."
- Later - "We can discuss this later."
- Already - "I've already completed the assignment."
- Still - "She's still working on her thesis."
- Yet - "They haven't arrived yet."
Adverbs That Express Duration
These indicate how long an action or state continues.
Duration adverbs tell us about the length of time something lasts:
- Briefly - "He spoke briefly about his experience."
- Temporarily - "We're staying here temporarily."
- Forever - "I'll remember this moment forever."
- Permanently - "The change has been made permanently."
- Long - "Please don't wait too long."
- Shortly - "The meeting lasted shortly."
- Momentarily - "The light flickered momentarily."
Where to Place Adverbs of Time
Positioning these adverbs correctly affects both meaning and emphasis.
Adverbs of time are quite flexible and can appear in different positions:
At the beginning of a sentence (for emphasis)
"Yesterday, I went to the beach."
"Soon, we'll know the results."
"Soon, we'll know the results."
At the end of a sentence (most common position)
"The store closes at 9 pm today."
"I'll call you later."
"I'll call you later."
In the middle of a sentence (less common)
"She has already finished her homework."
"We will soon announce the winner."
"We will soon announce the winner."
Specific vs. General Time References
Adverbs of time vary in their precision.
Some adverbs indicate precise times:
- "I'll see you tomorrow."
- "The meeting is scheduled for today."
Others are more general:
- "I'll finish it eventually."
- "Have you ever visited Paris?"
Time Adverbs and Verb Tenses
Certain time adverbs pair naturally with specific tenses.
Some adverbs of time are closely associated with particular verb tenses:
| Tense | Common Time Adverbs | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Perfect | already, just, yet, recently, ever | "I've already eaten lunch." "Have you ever tried sushi?" |
| Past Simple | yesterday, last week, ago | "I saw her yesterday." "They moved here three years ago." |
| Present Simple | usually, always (frequency adverbs) | "She usually takes the bus to work." |
| Future | soon, tomorrow, next week | "The package will arrive soon." "I'm leaving tomorrow." |
Time Expressions vs. Individual Adverbs
Many time concepts require phrases rather than single adverbs.
While some time concepts can be expressed with a single adverb, others require phrases:
Types of Time Expressions
- Single adverbs: now, today, yesterday, tomorrow
- Adverbial phrases: last week, next month, in a minute, for a while
"Last night, I couldn't sleep."
"I'm going on vacation next summer."
Combining Time Adverbs
Sometimes multiple time references appear together.
It's possible to use more than one time expression in a sentence:
"Yesterday I worked until late at night."
"Now I need to leave immediately."
"Now I need to leave immediately."
Common Mistakes With Time Adverbs
Even advanced English learners sometimes struggle with these nuances.
Watch out for these common errors:
Common Time Adverb Mistakes
-
Using the wrong tense with a specific time adverb:
Incorrect: "I have seen him yesterday."
Correct: "I saw him yesterday." -
Placing "already" and "yet" incorrectly:
Incorrect: "Yet I haven't finished."
Correct: "I haven't finished yet." -
Double time markers:
Redundant: "I'll do it later in the afternoon later."
Better: "I'll do it later in the afternoon."