Adverbs of Time | Definition, functions and Examples

Adverbs play a crucial role in our language by providing additional information about verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Among the various adverbs, “adverbs of time” hold a special significance. They give us essential details about when an action occurs, allowing us to construct clear and precise sentences. In this article, we will explore what adverbs of time are with their types uses, and examples. So let’s get started!

What Are Adverbs of Time?

As the name suggests, adverbs of time tell us when an action happened. It tells us when she arrived, giving us a sense of time. They provide us with valuable information about the timing and duration of an event, helping us create a clearer and more detailed picture when we communicate. These adverbs can refer to specific points in time, like today or tomorrow, or to more general time frames, like now or soon. They often answer questions like “When did it happen?” or “How often does it happen?” For instance, consider the sentence: “She arrived early.” Here, the adverb “early” tells us when she arrived, giving us a sense of time.

Common Examples of Adverbs of Time:

Now: She is studying French now.
Yesterday: We went to the park yesterday.
Tomorrow: We’ll meet tomorrow.
Soon: The bus will arrive soon.
Early: I woke up early.
Late: She arrived late to the party.
Rarely: I rarely watch TV.
Later: We can discuss this later.
Always: He always arrives on time.
Never: She never misses her morning walk.

Functions of Adverbs of Time

Specifies When: Adverbs of time tell us when an action happened, providing a clear timeframe.
- Example: I will meet you at the park tomorrow.
Indicates How Often: These adverbs reveal the frequency of an action, letting us know if it’s a regular occurrence or a one-time event.
- Example: She always brings snacks to the movie night.
Defines Duration: Adverbs of time describe how long an action lasts, giving us a sense of the time involved.
- Example: They played games for hours.
Connects Events Temporally: Some adverbs of time act as connectors, linking different parts of a sentence to show the sequence of events.
- Example: Afterward, we went for ice cream.
Enhances Clarity: By using these adverbs, we make our language more precise and help others understand the timing of our actions.
- Example: We’ll start the meeting soon.

Types of Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of time can be categorized into various types based on their specific functions. For instance:

1. Simple Adverbs of Time:

Simple adverbs of time provide straightforward information about when an action occurs. They include words like:

Now: I am busy now.
Then: We’ll decide then.
Yesterday: It happened yesterday.

2. Frequency Adverbs:

Frequency adverbs tell us how often an action occurs. Some common examples are:

Always: She is always cheerful.
Often: They visit us often.
Never: I have never been there.

3. Duration Adverbs:

These adverbs indicate the duration or length of time an action takes place. Examples include:

Briefly: He spoke briefly.
Long: The movie is long.
Forever: I will remember it forever.

4. Point in Time Adverbs:

Point-in-time adverbs specify a particular moment when an action occurs. Some examples are:

Now: We can start now.
Today: It happened earlier today.
Tomorrow: We’ll discuss it tomorrow.

5. Relative Adverbs:

These adverbs connect a time element to another part of the sentence. Common relative adverbs include:

When: That’s the day when it happened.
Where: We’ll meet at the time where the paths cross.
Why: Tell me the reason why you’re upset.

Common Adverbs of Time

Today: Refers to the current day.
Soon: Means in a short time from now.
Always: Signifies at all times.
Never: Signifies not at any time.
Tomorrow: Means the day after today.
Yesterday: Indicates the day before today.
Now: This refers to the present moment.
Later: At a subsequent time.
Yesterday: On the day before today.
Tomorrow: On the day after today.
Sometimes: Occasionally, not always.
Often: Frequently or many times.
Seldom: Rarely, not often.
First: Before anything else.
Last: At the end, After all others.
Next: Following in order.
Before: Earlier than a particular time.
After: Subsequent to a particular time.
During: Throughout the course of.
While: At the same time as.
Today: During the current day.
Tonight: During the current evening or night.
Nowadays: In the present period.
Immediately: Without delay or instantly.
Until: Up to a particular time.
Eventually: At some later time.
Suddenly: Happening quickly and unexpectedly.
Since: From a specified time until the present.
Already: Prior to a specified or implied time.
Always: Without exception or continuously.

List of Adverbs of Time

Now
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Later
Early
Late
Soon
Already
Still
Just
Recently
Before
After
During
While
Always
Currently
Never
Often
Sometimes
Usually
Seldom
Frequently
Rarely
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Yearly
Fortnightly
Annually
Quarterly
Early
Late
Quickly
Slowly
Swiftly
Lately
Shortly
Long
Short
While
Then
Beforehand
Suddenly
Gradually
Immediately
Eventually
Presently
Constantly
Continuously

Adverbs of Time Example Sentences

The phone rang suddenly.
He finally arrived at the party.
She has already eaten lunch.
She rarely eats junk food.
She always arrives early for class.
She went to the market yesterday.
Finish your homework before dinner.
First, we’ll eat, then we’ll play.
They often go for a walk in the park.
Typically, the store closes at 9 p.m.
I read a book while waiting for the bus.
Nowadays, people use smartphones.
We have a family meeting monthly.
They celebrate their anniversary yearly.
She finished her homework quickly.
He finished his homework yesterday.
They will arrive tomorrow morning.
Please submit your report before lunch.
She always takes a walk in the park.

Position of Adverbs of Time

They can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence, depending on the emphasis you want to give:

Before the main verb:
- She always smiles.
- They will leave soon.
At the beginning of a sentence (followed by a comma):
- Yesterday, I went to the park.
- Now I am studying.
At the end of a sentence:
- She arrived late.
- We’ll meet tomorrow.

Adverbs of Time Exercises

Let’s test your understanding!

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate adverb of time:

I will call you ______. (later/now)
She reads books ______. (always/never)
We are going to the beach ______. (tomorrow/yesterday)
The train ___________ arrives on time. (will/never)
She will arrive ___________. (soon/ yesterday)
I go for a walk in the park ___________. (daily/weekly)
They have a meeting ___________. (tomorrow/yesterday)
She wakes up ___________. ( late/early)
I’ll see you ___________. (now/then)
He rarely eats sweets, but he had some cake ___________. (yesterday/frequently)

Answers:

later
always
tomorrow
never
soon
daily
tomorrow
early
then
yesterday

FAQs

Q1: What are adverbs

These are two words that provide information about when an action takes place or for how long it occurs in a sentence. They help establish the timing or duration of an event or action.

Q2. Can adverbs of time be used in any sentence?

Yes, it can be used in almost any sentence to provide information about when an action occurs.

Q3: What’s the difference between adverbs of time and adverbs of frequency?

Adverbs of time indicate when an action occurred (e.g., now, yesterday), while adverbs of frequency indicate how often an action happens (e.g., always, rarely).

Q4: What are some common examples?

Common examples of adverbs of time include now, yesterday, today, tomorrow, soon, always, never, often, sometimes, usually, etc.

Q5: How can I identify the adverb of time in a sentence?

Look for words that answer questions like “When did it happen?” or “How often does it happen?” An adverb of time often modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.

Q6: Give some examples below.

Here are some examples: