What Is an Adverb of Time?
An adverb of time is a word that tells you when something happens. It specifies the timing of an action, event, or condition, such as "yesterday," "now," "later," or "soon."
These adverbs enhance sentences by providing clear temporal context, making communication more precise and understandable.
Understanding Adverbs of Time
Definition and Function
Adverbs of time tell you when something happens, adding a temporal dimension to your sentences. They can describe specific times, such as "yesterday" or "now," or more general times, like "soon" or "later." For instance:
"I met her yesterday." (specific time)
"He will arrive soon." (general time)
Adverbs of time can modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing critical information about the timing of an event. This helps in creating a vivid picture of when actions occur, making your sentences more informative and engaging.
Common Adverbs of Time
Everyday Adverbs of Time
Here are some frequently used adverbs of time and their examples:
Yesterday: "She left yesterday."
Today: "I am working today."
Tomorrow: "We will visit them tomorrow."
Now: "You need to start now."
Then: "We went to the park and then had dinner."
Later: "I will call you later."
Soon: "He will arrive soon."
Already: "She has already finished her homework."
Recently: "They moved to the city recently."
Including these adverbs in your sentences can make your communication more precise and help the listener or reader understand the timing of events better.
Placement of Adverbs of Time
Where Do They Go in a Sentence?
Typically, adverbs of time are placed at the beginning or end of a sentence. However, there are exceptions and variations:
Beginning: "Tomorrow, we will go hiking."
End: "We will go hiking tomorrow."
Adverbs of time can also appear in the middle of a sentence, often for emphasis or stylistic reasons:
"I have already eaten."
"He is always late."
However, certain positions might be awkward or incorrect. Avoid these common mistakes:
Incorrect: "He tomorrow will leave."
Correct: "He will leave tomorrow."
Here are some tips to avoid common mistakes:
Place adverbs of time at the end of the sentence if in doubt.
Use commas when starting a sentence with an adverb of time for clarity.
Using Adverbs of Time in Different Tenses
Adverbs of Time Across Tenses
Adverbs of time adapt to different tenses, helping you specify the timing of actions clearly:
Past Tense: "She finished her homework yesterday."
Present Tense: "I am writing a report now."
Future Tense: "They will launch the product next week."
Additional examples for clarity:
Past Tense: "He called me last night."
Present Tense: "We are having lunch right now."
Future Tense: "I will visit them next month."
Using adverbs of time correctly with various tenses enhances the temporal clarity of your sentences, ensuring that the timing of actions is always clear to the reader or listener.
Practice and Exercises
Test Your Knowledge
Try these exercises to practice using adverbs of time. Answers are provided for self-assessment.
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct adverb of time:
"She will visit her grandma _____." (tomorrow)
"I completed the project _____." (yesterday)
"We are meeting _____." (today)
"He will arrive _____." (soon)
"They moved _____." (recently)
2. Correct the sentences:
"He next week is going on vacation."
"They now are playing in the garden."
"I yesterday finished my homework."
3. Choose the right adverb of time:
"I will call you (later/soon)."
"They have (already/recently) moved."
"She is leaving (tomorrow/yesterday)."
Answers:
tomorrow, yesterday, today, soon, recently
"He is going on vacation next week." "They are playing in the garden now." "I finished my homework yesterday."
later, already, tomorrow