What is an Adverb of Time? - Definition and Examples

What is an Adverb of Time? Definition & Examples

An adverb of time describes the time or frequency of an action. These adverb can describe how often, how long, or when something happens. Now, today, every day, early and soon are all adverbs of time. In this new study guide, you will learn about these adverbs perfectly with real examples. Don't forget to check the exercises at the end to check your understanding!

What is an Adverb of Time?

Adverbs that modify or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us when something happens are defined as adverbs of time.

An adverb of time is what you might expect—a word that describes when, how long, or how often a certain action happened. You'll notice that many adverbs of time are similar to adverbs of frequency. There is quite a bit of overlap between these 2 (two) types of adverbs – so much so that some instructors prefer to refer to one or the other but not both.

Types of Adverbs of Time

Adverbs of time can generally be divided into two categories:

1. Definite Adverbs of time
2. Indefinite Adverbs of time

1. Definite Adverbs of Time
Those adverbs which give us exact duration/ time are called definite adverbs of time. Speakers tend to use definite adverbs of time when they have details about the specific time of an action.

Examples

• Today, now, yesterday, monthly, tonight, quarterly, weekly, hourly and nightly.

2. Indefinite Adverbs of Time
Those adverbs of time which give us exact but not approximate time/ time are called indefinite adverbs of time.

Examples

• Sometimes, seldom, formerly, usually, rarely, eventually, finally, before, regularly and already.

What are Examples of Adverbs of Time?

Adverbs of time tell us when the action happened, but also how long and how often. Adverbs of time are intransitive. Read the examples of adverbs of time in these sentences.

• Goldilocks went to the Smith's house yesterday.
• I'm going to tidy my reading room tomorrow.
• My grandfather lived in France for a year.
• I have been going to this collage since 1998.
• Eat more vegetarian food.
• She never drinks milk.
• You must always fasten your seat belt.
• I will visit my cousin tomorrow.
• Yesterday, Jerry met Anus at the supermarket.
• Can you bring the photocopy soon so that we can provide it to the students?
• I thought I could finish cleaning my room today.
• Make sure you remind him to take dry clothes afterwards.
• Samantha came here yesterday.
• He stayed for a while then left.
• He came at around 8.30 AM.
• I was sleeping at home then.
• I didn't slept late the previous night.
• Before that, I was playing cricket in the field.

When, How Long, How Often?

Imagine you are a detective sent to investigate the destruction of three little pigs' houses. You can use adverbs of time like clue to specify when, how long, or how often something happens.

Some Adverbs of Time 'When?' Answers questions.
The big, bad wolf went to the little fox's hay house yesterday. Later that night his house was blown to the ground.

'Yesterday' is an adverb of time that tells you when the wolf visited the little fox. '"Later that night" is another adverb of time, which answers when the crime was committed. I bet that wolf was not good! Could he be your suspect?

Adverbs of Time Exercises

Fill in the blanks by choosing the most suitable adverbs of time from the list or words below:

(yesterday, always, today, immediately, earlier, monthly, tomorrow, last week, next week, tonight)

1. Can you finalize the dialogue of the play by _______?
2. __________, we are celebrating the success of the company.
3. __________, we have alerted the authorities that the street lights in our area are not working.
4. Did you not go to school _________?
5. I will be visiting my grandfather ___________.
6. The teacher did not ask the students to fill the consent form ___________.
7. My friends school make sure to meet up ________.
8. Alex stayed at home __________.
9. Smith _______ has blueberry cheesecake from Glen’s Bakehouse.
10. __________, doctors were seen rushing into the operation theatre.

Check the answers to find out if you answered them all correctly.

1. Can you finalize the dialogue of the play by tomorrow?
2. Tonight, we are celebrating the success of the company.
3. Last week, we have alerted the authorities that the street lights in our area are not working.
4. Did you not go to school yesterday?
5. I will be visiting my grandfather next week.
6. The teacher did not ask the students to fill the consent form immediately.
7. My friends at school make sure to meet up monthly.
8. Alex stayed at home today.
9. Smith always has blueberry cheesecake from Glen’s Bakehouse.
10. Earlier, doctors were seen rushing into the operation theatre.