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How to Use Adverbs of Time for English

The Explanation


We all know that an adverb is a word that describes a verb, or action word. Adverbs of time are the adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us when things happen. Adverbs of time are invariable.

In simple terms, Adverbs of time tell us when something happened. They express a point in time.

e.g.:

  • She will call you later.

  • I have to leave now.

The adverbs of time are often used-

  • To talk about the past. E.g.: ago, yesterday, the day before, last week/month/year

  • To talk about the present: E.g.: yet, while, still, when

  • To talk about the future: E.g. :soon, in 2 days, then, next week/month/year, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow



How to use Adverbs of time and example

Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, and also for how long, and how often. They have standard positions in a sentence depending on what the adverb of time is telling us.


  1. Adverb of time that tells us ‘when’: Adverbs of time often work best when placed at the end of sentences.

e.g.:

  • I'm going to wash my clothes tomorrow.

  • I saw Jim today.


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

e.g.:

  • My family lived in England for a year.

  • I have been going to this college since 1997


  1. Adverbs that tell us ‘how often’- Adverbs that tell us how often generally express the frequency of an action. They are either placed before the main verb but after auxiliary verbs (such as for be, have, may, & must). There is an exception to this rule which is when the main verb is "to be", in which case the adverb goes after the main verb.

e.g.:

  • He never drinks coffee

  • You must always fasten your seat belt while driving


4. Many adverbs that express frequency can also be placed at either the beginning or the end of the sentence. When they are placed in these alternate positions, the meaning of the adverb is much stronger

e.g.:


Adverb that can be used in two positions

Adverb Stronger position weaker position

  • Normally I listen to jazz music normally I normally listen to jazz music

  • Often often I jog in the evening I often jog in the evening











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