Adverbs of time
Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, but also for how long, and how often.
Adverbs that tell us when
Adverbs that tell us when are usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Examples
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.
Putting an adverb that tells us when at the end of a sentence is a neutral position, but these
adverbs can be put in other positions to give a different emphasis. All adverbs that tell us
when can be placed at the beginning of the sentence to emphasize the time element. Some
can also be put before the main verb in formal writing, while others cannot occupy that
position.
Examples
Later Goldilocks ate some porridge. (the time is important)
Goldilocks later ate some porridge. (this is more formal, like a policeman's report)
Goldilocks ate some porridge later. (this is neutral, no particular emphasis)
Adverbs that tell us for how long
Adverbs that tell us for how long are also usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Examples
She stayed in the Bears' house all day.
My mother lived in France for a year.
I have been going to this school since 1996.
In these adverbial phrases that tell us for how long, for is always followed by an expression
of duration, while since is always followed by an expression of a point in time.
Examples
I stayed in Switzerland for three days.
I am going on vacation for a week.
I have been riding horses for several years.
The French monarchy 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.
Examples
I often eat vegetarian food.
He never drinks milk.
You must always fasten your seat belt.
I am seldom late.
He rarely lies.
Many adverbs that express frequency can also be placed at either the beginning or the end of
the sentence, although some cannot be. When they are placed in these alternate positions, the
meaning of the adverb is much stronger.
Adverb that can be used in two
Stronger position Weaker position
positions
frequently I visit France frequently. I frequently visit France.
Generally, I don't like spicy I generally don't like spicy
generally
foods. foods.
I listen to classical music I normally listen to classical
normally
normally. music.
I go to the opera I occasionally go to the
occasionally
occasionally. opera.
often Often, I jog in the morning. I often jog in the morning.
I come to this museum I regularly come to this
regularly
regularly. museum.
I get up very early I sometimes get up very
sometimes
sometimes. early.
I enjoy being with children I usually enjoy being with
usually
usually. children.
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.
Examples
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.
Examples
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.
Examples
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
Examples
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.
