What are Adverbs of Time?
Adverbs of time answer the question When? They often appear at the end of a sentence or occasionally at the beginning (for emphasis).
I will call you tomorrow. Yesterday, we visited the museum.
Common Adverbs of Time
Pointing to a specific time
| Adverb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| yesterday | the day before today |
| today | this day |
| tomorrow | the day after today |
| last week / year | the previous week or year |
| next week / year | the following week or year |
Relative time
| Adverb | Meaning / Use |
|---|---|
| already | before now, sooner than expected — used in positive sentences |
| yet | up to this moment — used in questions and negatives |
| still | continuing until now |
| just | very recently |
| soon | in a short time from now |
| recently | not long ago |
Already, Yet, Still — the Tricky Trio
Already — positive sentences: I have already eaten. Yet — questions and negatives: Have you eaten yet? / I haven't eaten yet. Still — emphasises continuation: She is still waiting. / He still hasn't replied.
Position in the Sentence
- End of sentence: most common — I saw her yesterday.
- Beginning of sentence: for emphasis — Tomorrow, we leave.
- Before the verb / after auxiliary: already, yet, still, just — I have just arrived.
Real world: news broadcast
Scientists have just announced a new medical breakthrough. The results were recently published in a leading journal. The prime minister has already responded — she still has not answered reporters' questions yet.
Real world: text message conversation
"Are you coming tomorrow?" — "I'm not sure yet. I'll let you know soon." "I just got your message — I was still in a meeting. I'll call you back shortly."
Practice Problems
Fill in: 'Has the bus arrived __?' (already / yet / still)
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Choose: 'She has __ finished her homework.' (yet / already)
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Where does 'yesterday' go? Place it correctly: 'We / played / football / yesterday.'