English Time Words
May. 26, 2024
Simple present
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Simple present |
every day/week/month/year |
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always, frequently |
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sometimes, at times, from time to time |
From time to time I still think of her. |
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never |
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just now (at the present time) |
These kinds of coats are fashionable just now. |
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I’m not ready to talk about it just now. |
Simple past
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Simple past |
yesterday |
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(xxx) hours/weeks/months/years ago |
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in past year |
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last week/month/year |
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one day |
I went to her house one day and had lunch with her. |
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just now (a very short time ago) |
Who was that at the door just now? |
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He had his agent call me just now to ask for more money. |
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once upon a time
(a) spoken. at a time in the past that you think was much better than now;
(b) a long time ago – used at the beginning of children’s stories. |
Once upon a time you used to be able to leave your front door unlocked. |
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before |
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previously |
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Simple future
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Simple future |
tomorrow |
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one day |
One day, it’ll happen. You’ll see. |
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in (future week/month/year) |
Mary will go to Hawaii in two weeks. |
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on (future day) |
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next (week/month/year/name of day) |
Ed will drive to Toronto next Saturday. |
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(xxx) days/weeks/months/years from now |
George will paint his house six days from now. |
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this afternoon/week/month/year |
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someday |
I’d like to visit Japan someday. |
Present progressive
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Present progressive |
now, right now, at this moment |
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just now (at the present time) |
We’re just now starting to make progress with the project. |
Future progressive
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Future progressive |
at this time tomorrow |
At this time tomorrow, I will be cleaning my house. |
Present perfect
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Present perfect |
for |
Paul has been here for six hours. |
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since |
Yoko has known Mary since 1994. |
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yet |
I haven’t asked him yet. |
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Have you seen him yet? |
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never |
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always |
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so far/thus far |
So far we have not had to borrow any money. |
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They’re delighted with the replies they’ve received from the public thus far. |
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(xxx) times/many times |
Sam has visited Hawaii many times. |
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lately |
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recently |
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already |
I have already written a letter to the president. |
Present perfect progressive
| Tense |
Time words |
Examples |
| Present perfect progressive |
for |
Rita has been jogging for two hours. |
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since |
We’ve been waiting here since two o’clock. |
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lately |
Lately, I’ve been, I’ve been losing sleep. (From the song Counting Star by OneRepublic) |
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recently |
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References