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TIME ADVERBS

The document explains the use of adverbs of time in English, which indicate when an action occurs, for how long, and how often. It details their placement in sentences, including examples for frequency, routines, and states, as well as the specific use of 'yet' and 'still'. Additionally, it outlines the order of multiple adverbs of time when used together.

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16 views3 pages

TIME ADVERBS

The document explains the use of adverbs of time in English, which indicate when an action occurs, for how long, and how often. It details their placement in sentences, including examples for frequency, routines, and states, as well as the specific use of 'yet' and 'still'. Additionally, it outlines the order of multiple adverbs of time when used together.

Uploaded by

virginia.mestres
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TIME ADVERBS

Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, but also for how long, and how
often. Adverbs of time are invariable. They are extremely common in English.

We use them with verbs to answer the question 'How often?' and in the following situations:

Use Examples

To indicate frequency. We often go to Indian or Chinese restaurants


but we rarely cook Asian food at home.

He always forgets to close the door.

I never travel by plane.

To talk about routines and habits. I go running every morning and play
tennis once a week.

We always have a meeting on Monday


mornings.

To talk about a constant state or situation. It's always quiet in this office.

That meeting room is never available when I


need it.

Adverbs that tell us when

Adverbs that tell us when are usually placed at the end of the sentence.

• Goldilocks went to the Bears' house yesterday.


• I'm going to tidy my room tomorrow.
• I saw Sally today.
• I will call you later.
• I have to leave now.
• I saw that movie last year.

These adverbs can also be put in other positions to give a different emphasis.
• Last night, we celebrated his birthday and danced the entire night.

Adverbs that tell us for how long

Adverbs that tell us for how long are also usually placed at the end of the sentence.

• She stayed in the Bears' house all day.


• My sister lived in France for a year.
• I have been going to this school since 1996.

We use for (durante) with a period of time in the past, present or future.
We use since (desde) with a point in time in the past
• I stayed in Switzerland for three days.
• I am going on vacation for a week.
• I have been riding horses for several years.
• The Industrial Revolution lasted for several centuries.
• I have not seen you since Monday.
• Jim has been working here since 1997.
• There has not been a more exciting discovery since last century.

Adverbs that tell us how often

Adverbs that tell us how often express the frequency of an action. They are usually placed before the
main verb but after auxiliary verbs (such as be, have, may, & must).

The only exception is when the main verb is "to be", in which case the adverb goes after the main
verb.

• I often eat vegetarian food.


• He never drinks milk.
• You must always fasten your seat belt.
• I am seldom late.
• He rarely lies.

• Frequency (definite): annually, daily, fortnightly, hourly, monthly, nightly, quarterly, weekly,
yearly, regularly.
• Frequency (indefinite): always, constantly, ever, frequently, generally, infrequently, never,
normally, occasionally, often

Many adverbs that express frequency can also be placed at either the beginning or the end of the
sentence.

Some other adverbs that tell us how often express the exact number of times an action happens or
happened. These adverbs are usually placed at the end of the sentence.

• This magazine is published monthly.


• He visits his mother once a week.
• I work five days a week.
• I saw the movie seven times.

Using "yet"

Yet is used in questions and in negative sentences to indicate that something that has not happened
or may not have happened but is expected to happen. It is placed at the end of the sentence or
after not.

• Have you finished your work yet? (= simple request for information)
• No, not yet. (= simple negative answer)
• They haven't met him yet. (= simple negative statement)
• Haven't you finished yet? (= expressing surprise)

Using "still"

Still expresses continuity. In positive sentences it is placed before the main verb and after auxiliary
verbs such as be, have, might, will. If the main verb is to be, then place still after it rather than before.
In questions, still goes before the main verb.
• She is still waiting for you.
• Jim might still want some.
• Do you still work for the BBC?
• Are you still here?
• I am still hungry.

Order of adverbs of time

If you need to use more than one adverb of time in a sentence, use them in this order:

1: how long / 2: how often / 3: when

• 1 + 2: I work (1) for five hours (2) every day


• 2 + 3: The magazine was published (2) weekly (3) last year.
• 1 + 3: I was abroad (1) for two months (3) last year.
• 1 + 2 + 3: She worked in a hospital (1) for two days (2) every week (3) last year.

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