Time Adverbs
Time adverbs tell us when, how often, or for how long something happens. They help make narrations and descriptions clear and vivid. This short guide groups common time adverbs by use and gives quick examples.
Time Adverbs
Time adverbs specify moments or periods relative to now, such as yesterday, soon, or already. They guide listeners on when an event took place or will take place.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| yesterday | today |
| tomorrow | soon |
| now | already |
| later | just |
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🌅 I called you this morning. | 🌇 She arrived this evening. |
| 🕒 We met this afternoon. | 🌃 They left last night. |
| 📅 I saw her yesterday. | 🗓️ We will meet tomorrow. |
| 🕰️ He is coming now. | ⏳ She will arrive soon. |
| 💤 I woke up early. | 🌙 They went to bed late. |
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Frequency Adverbs
Frequency adverbs indicate how often something happens, from always to never. They help paint routines or repeated actions in detail.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| always | usually |
| often | sometimes |
| rarely | never |
| every day | once a week |
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| ☕ I usually have coffee at 8. | 🥐 She often eats breakfast on the terrace. |
| 🚶♂️ We sometimes walk in the park. | 📖 He rarely misses morning reading. |
| 🧴 They always wash hands before breakfast. | 🛏️ I never skip my morning stretch. |
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Duration Adverbs
Duration adverbs tell us how long an action lasts, such as for two hours, all day, or briefly. They add length and persistence to descriptions.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| for two hours | all day |
| briefly | a long time |
| since morning | always |
| temporarily | nonstop |
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🍳 I cooked for an hour. | 🥣 She has been eating for twenty minutes. |
| 📰 We read the news briefly. | ☕ He sipped coffee slowly. |
| 🏃♀️ I jogged this morning. | 🧘♂️ She meditated all night. |
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Signal Words
Signal words are time adverbs that cue specific tenses or narrative moves, like when, as soon as, and by the time. They link actions and shape sequence.
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| when | as soon as |
| before | after |
| by the time | until |
| while | meanwhile |
| English Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| 🔄 First, I made coffee. | 🥞 Then, I prepared pancakes. |
| 🍽️ Next, we set the table. | 🧼 Finally, I cleaned up. |
| ⏰ After, we went for a walk. | 🌄 Before, I stretched outside. |
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Summary
Time adverbs fall into categories like specific time, frequency, and duration. Attending to these small words makes stories and reports much clearer and more precise.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025