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Adverbs of Time

1

What is it?

Adverbs of time tell us WHEN something happens or happened. They can refer to specific points in time (yesterday, now, tomorrow), duration (all day, for hours), or relationships in time (already, yet, still, just). These adverbs usually go at the END of a sentence or at the BEGINNING for emphasis, though some like 'already' and 'yet' have specific positions depending on whether the sentence is positive or negative.

2

How to form it

SubjectPositiveNegativeQuestion
Past timeI saw him yesterdayI didn't see him yesterdayDid you see him yesterday?
Present timeI'm working nowI'm not working nowAre you working now?
Future timeI'll call you tomorrowI won't call you tomorrowWill you call me tomorrow?
Already (before now)I've already eatennot applicableHave you already eaten?
Yet (up to now)not applicableI haven't finished yetHave you finished yet?
Still (continuing)He's still workingHe still hasn't finishedIs he still working?
  • • Past: yesterday, last week, last month, ago, before, earlier, recently, lately
  • • Present: now, today, currently, presently, at the moment
  • • Future: tomorrow, soon, later, next week, in the future
  • • Already: in positive sentences, mid-position → I've already finished
  • • Yet: in negatives and questions, end position → Haven't finished yet / Finished yet?
  • • Still: continuing situation → still working, still hasn't arrived
  • • Just: very recent past → I've just arrived (moments ago)
3

When to use it

  1. 1

    End position — most time adverbs go at the end

    "I saw him yesterday." / "Call me later." / "She'll arrive tomorrow."

  2. 2

    Beginning for emphasis — can start sentence for emphasis

    "Yesterday, I saw something amazing." / "Tomorrow, we're leaving early."

  3. 3

    Already — positive sentences, before past participle or at end

    "I've already eaten." / "He has already left." / "I already know."

  4. 4

    Yet — negatives and questions, at the end

    "I haven't finished yet." / "Have you eaten yet?" / "She hasn't arrived yet."

  5. 5

    Still — ongoing situations, before main verb or after be

    "He's still sleeping." / "I still don't understand." / "Are you still here?"

4

Common mistakes

I have yet finished.

I have already finished. / I haven't finished yet.

'Yet' is used in negatives and questions, not positive statements. Use 'already' for positives.

I already have eaten.

I have already eaten.

'Already' usually goes between auxiliary and past participle in present perfect.

He is working still.

He is still working.

'Still' goes before the main verb or after 'be', not at the end.

Did you finish already?

Have you already finished? / Did you already finish?

'Already' in questions is more natural with present perfect.

5

Quick reference

  • Tell us WHEN something happens (answer 'When?')
  • Past: yesterday, last week, ago, before, recently
  • Present: now, today, currently, at the moment
  • Future: tomorrow, soon, later, next week
  • Already: positive sentences (I've already finished)
  • Yet: negatives and questions at end (Haven't finished yet?)
  • Still: ongoing situations before main verb (still working)
6

Natural conversation example

Colleagues discussing a project deadline

S

Sarah

Have you finished the report yet?
M

Mike

Not yet. I'm still working on it now.
S

Sarah

We need to submit it tomorrow morning.
M

Mike

I know. I already completed the first part yesterday.
S

Sarah

Great! Can you send it to me later today?
M

Mike

Sure, I'll send it soon. I just need to review it.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct time adverb.

  1. 1.
    I saw him . (past)
  2. 2.
    I'm working . (present)
  3. 3.
    I'll call you . (future)
  4. 4.
    I've finished. (before now, positive)
  5. 5.
    I haven't finished . (up to now, negative)
  6. 6.
    He's working. (continuing)
Adverbs of MannerAll TopicsAdverbs of Place

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