Adverbs of Time

What is an adverb of time?  When using more than one adverb of time in a
Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence, use them in the following order:
sentence by telling us when things happen are defined as o 1. How long
adverbs of time. o 2. How often
An adverb of time is just what you might expect it to o 3. When
be – a word that describes when, for how long, or how often For example:
a certain action happened. You will notice that many o She volunteered at the hospital (1) for three
adverbs of time are the same as adverbs of frequency. There days (2) every month (3) last year.
is quite a bit of overlap between these two types of adverbs
– so much so that some instructors choose to mention one Examples of Adverbs of Time
or the other but not both. Each sentence contains an example of an adverb of time;
These simple rules for adverbs of time will help you to use the examples are italicized for easy identification.
them the right way: Are you coming to work tomorrow?
 Adverbs of time often work best when placed at the I’d like to go to the movies later.
end of sentences. For example: Jim was so sick he spent four weeks in the hospital.
o Robin Hood swindled the Sheriff of Adverbs of Time List
Nottingham yesterday. After reading this list of adverbs of time, you may be able
o I’m sick of living in chaos, so I’m going to to come up with several more on your own. Remember that
clean my house tomorrow. adverbs of time always tell us when, how long, and how
 You can change the position of an adverb of time to often something happens.
lend emphasis to a certain aspect of a sentence. For When:
example: Yesterday
o Later Robin Hood stole the king’s crown. Today
(The time is the most important element here.) Tomorrow
o Robin Hood later stole the king’s crown. Later
(This is a formal way to use the adverb later. Notice how Last year
the statement sounds like it belongs in a police report.) Now
o Robin Hood stole the king’s crown later. How long:
(This is a neutral, standard way to use the adverb later.) All morning
 Adverbs of time describing for how long an action For hours
occurred usually work best at the end of a sentence. For Since last week
example: How often:
o She stayed at her grandmother’s house all Frequently
day. Never
o My father was up with heartburn for hours. Sometimes
 Adverbs of time that express an exact number of Often
times the action happens usually work best at the end of a Annually
sentence. For example:
o The newspaper arrives daily.
o They go out to dinner weekly.
o Our family goes on an outing monthly.

Adverbs of Time Exercises

The following exercises will help you to gain better understanding about how adverbs of time work. Choose the best answer
to complete each sentence.
1. We go out for Japanese food ________________.
A. Willingly B. Normally C. Weekly D. Perfectly
2. Have you done your homework _____________?
A. Now B. Then C.Yet D. Still
3. Do you _______________ work at the bank?
A. Still B. Never C. Grudgingly D. Happily
4. Would you rather drive sometimes or take the train ______________?
A. Still B. Never C. Every day D. To the beach
5. The patient is ___________ waiting to see the doctor.
A. Still B. Never C. Every day D. Sadly
What is an adverb of place?

Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us where things happen are defined as adverbs of place.
Some instructors refer to these words or phrases as spatial adverbs. No matter what they are called, these adverbs always
answer one important question: Where?

These simple rules for adverbs of place will help you to use them the right way:

 An adverb of place always talks about the location where the action of the verb is being carried out.
 Adverbs of place are normally placed after a sentence’s object or main verb.
 Adverbs of place can be directional. For example: Up, down, around, away, north, southeast
 Adverbs of place can refer to distances. For example: Nearby, far away, miles apart
 An adverb of place can indicate an object’s position in relation to another object. For example: Below, between, above,
behind, through, around and so forth.
 Many adverbs of place indicate movement in a particular direction and end in the letters “-ward or -wards”. For example:
Toward, forward, backward, homeward, westward, eastwards onwards

Examples of Adverbs of Place

Each sentence contains an example of an adverb of place; the examples are italicized for easy identification. As you read
these examples, you will notice that some of the adverbs of place contain more than one word.
Put the cake there.
After a long day at work, we headed homewards.
Please bring that book here.
My grandfather’s house is nearby.

Adverbs of Place List

As you read through the examples this adverbs of place list contains, think about how they denote location or movement.
With some consideration, you are likely to come up with some additional terms on your own.

Abroad Across Ahead Back Backwards Beyond Down Downwards Eastwards

Everywhere Here In Indoors Inside Outside Overseas There West Yonder

Adverbs of Place Exercises

The following exercises will help you to gain better understanding about how adverbs of place work. Choose the best answer
to complete each sentence.

1. Close the door when you go ___________. a. Round

a. Out b. Home
b. Westward c. Outside
c. Lightly d. Around
d. Here
4.The ship sailed ________________, encountering heavy
2. The cat is hiding_______________ the couch. weather along the way.
a. On a. Up
b. Underneath b.Down
c. Somewhere c.Northwards
d. There d.Backwards

3.Will you be starting your plants ________________ or in 5.When she saw me waiting, she ran __________________
a greenhouse? me.
a.Around
b.Towards
c.Through
d.Forward

Adverbs of Frequency
What are adverbs of frequency?
Adverbs that change or qualify the meaning of a sentence by telling us how often or how frequently something happens are
defined as adverbs of frequency.
An adverb of frequency is exactly what it sounds like – an adverb of time. Adverbs of frequency always describe how often
something occurs, either in definite or indefinite terms. An adverb that describes definite frequency is one such as weekly,
daily, or yearly. An adverb describing indefinite frequency doesn’t specify an exact time frame; examples are sometimes,
often, and rarely.
Adverbs of Frequency Rules
These simple rules for adverbs of frequency will help you to use them correctly:
 Always use adverbs of frequency to discuss how often something happens.
 Adverbs of frequency are often used to indicate routine or repeated activities, so they are often used with the present
simple tense.
 If a sentence has only one verb, place the adverb of frequency in the middle of the sentence so that it is positioned
after the subject but before the verb. For example: Tom never flies. He always takes the bus.
 When a sentence contains more than one verb, place the adverb of frequency before the main verb. For example:
They have often visited Europe.
 When using an adverb of frequency in the negative or in forming a question, place it before the main verb. For
example: Do you usually get up so late?
Examples of Adverbs of Frequency
Each sentence contains an example of an adverb of frequency; the examples are italicized for easy identification.
1. The incubator turns each egg hourly.
2. We take a vacation at least once annually.
3. I usually shop for groceries on Saturday mornings.
4. He is often late for work.
5. We seldom see John.
6. My dentist told me I should floss twice daily.
Adverbs of Frequency List
This list of adverbs of frequency contains many of the most common; keep in mind though that there are many other words
which can serve in this capacity.
Always Annually Constantly Daily Eventually EverFrequently Generally Hourly Infrequently Later
Monthly Never Next Nightly Normally Now Occasionally Often Quarterly Rarely
Regularly Sometimes Soon Then Today Tonight Weekly Yearly Yesterday Yet
Adverbs of Frequency Exercises
The following exercises will help you to gain better understanding about how adverbs of frequency work. Choose the best
answer to complete each sentence.
1. I ________________ late on Saturdays.
a. Get up usually
b. Get usually up
c. Usually get up
2. Jared ______________ late for work.
a. Never is
b. Is never
3. _______________ on weekends?
a. Often do you travel
b. Do you often travel
c. Often you do travel
4. Susan ________________ early for class.
a. Often is
b. Are often
c. Often are
d. Is often
5. When do you ____________ go on vacation each year?
a. Always
b. Never
c. Usually
d. Ever