There are numerous adverbs related to time in the English language. Here we share 40+ Time-Related Adverbs, with Examples, and Usage Tips.
- Today
- Tomorrow
- Yesterday
- Now
- Later
- Soon
- Before
- After
- Already
- Earlier
- Recently
- Lately
- Just
- Once
- Never
- Always
- Usually
- Often
- Sometimes
- Seldom
- Rarely
- Frequently
- Eventually
- Immediately
- Instantly
- Formerly
- Next
- Then
- Yet
- Tonight
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
- Annually
- Quarterly
- Hourly
- Continually
- Continuously
- Periodically
- Regularly
- Intermittently
- Promptly
- Presently
- Perpetually
- Briefly
- Temporarily
- Finally
- Ultimately
Adverb: Today
Description: Refers to the current day. It can be used to discuss events or actions that are happening or will happen within the span of the present day.
Example: “I have a meeting today.”
Usage Tips:
- Tip: Use “today” to emphasize that something is happening within the current 24-hour period. It is useful in schedules, plans, and emphasizing current actions. When combined with the present continuous tense, it highlights actions in progress (e.g., “I am working on it today.”).
Adverb: Tomorrow
Description: Indicates the day following the current day. It’s commonly used to refer to events or actions planned for the immediate future.
Example: “We will go to the park tomorrow.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “tomorrow” for future plans or expectations. It can be used in future tense constructions to express intention or scheduled events (e.g., “I will finish the report tomorrow.”). It’s also useful for setting deadlines and making promises.
Adverb: Yesterday
Description: Refers to the day before the current day. It is used to discuss events or actions that took place in the immediate past.
Example: “I saw her yesterday.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “yesterday” to talk about recent past events. It’s particularly helpful for recounting stories or giving updates about what happened a short while ago. When combined with the past tense, it clearly sets the time frame (e.g., “I completed the project yesterday.”).
Adverb: Now
Description: Denotes the present moment or very close to it. It is often used to indicate immediate actions or states.
Example: “I am studying now.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “now” to emphasize actions happening at the current moment. It’s effective in urgent contexts or when giving commands (e.g., “Do it now!”). It also works well with the present continuous tense to describe ongoing activities (e.g., “She is cooking now.”).
Adverb: Later
Description: Indicates a time in the future that is not specified but expected to come after the present.
Example: “I’ll call you later.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “later” to postpone actions or events to an unspecified future time. It’s flexible and can be used in both informal and formal contexts. When planning or suggesting future activities, “later” can imply a delay without specifying exact timing (e.g., “We can discuss this later.”).
Adverb: Soon
Description: Refers to a short time in the future, typically implying a relatively quick occurrence.
Example: “He will arrive soon.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “soon” when you expect something to happen in the near future but not immediately. It’s useful in promises, reassurances, and when expressing anticipation (e.g., “I will finish the work soon.”). It’s a versatile term for indicating upcoming actions without a precise time frame.
Adverb: Before
Description: Indicates a time earlier than a specific point in time. It is used to show that one event happens prior to another.
Example: “Finish your homework before dinner.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “before” to sequence events, showing that one should happen earlier than another. It’s helpful in giving instructions and making schedules (e.g., “Please complete this task before noon.”). It also aids in creating clear timelines in both spoken and written contexts.
Adverb: After
Description: Indicates a time later than a specific point in time. It is used to show that one event follows another.
Example: “Let’s go for a walk after lunch.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “after” to indicate that one event or action will follow another. It’s commonly used in schedules and plans (e.g., “We will meet after the class.”). It helps in structuring sequences and timelines in communication.
Adverb: Already
Description: Indicates that something has happened earlier than expected or by now. It implies that an action is complete.
Example: “She has already left.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “already” to show that something is completed before the expected time. It often appears in affirmative sentences and can add emphasis (e.g., “I’ve already told him.”). It works well with perfect tenses to indicate completion (e.g., “They have already finished the project.”).
Adverb: Earlier
Description: Refers to a previous time, typically on the same day or within a close timeframe.
Example: “I saw him earlier today.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “earlier” to refer to something that happened before the current time on the same day. It helps in creating a timeline of events (e.g., “We spoke earlier about this.”). It’s useful in conversations that reference multiple events in the same period.
Adverb: Recently
Description: Refers to a short time ago. It indicates that an event occurred not long before the present moment.
Example: “They recently moved to a new house.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “recently” to talk about actions or events that happened in the near past. It’s useful in giving updates or news (e.g., “I recently started a new job.”). It works well with the present perfect tense to indicate recency (e.g., “She has recently returned from her trip.”).
Adverb: Lately
Description: Refers to the recent past, often used to discuss ongoing or repeated actions up to the present.
Example: “I haven’t seen her lately.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “lately” to describe actions or events that have occurred over a recent period. It often appears in negative or interrogative sentences (e.g., “Have you seen him lately?”). It’s helpful for discussing ongoing trends or changes (e.g., “Lately, I’ve been reading a lot.”).
Adverb: Just
Description: Indicates a very short time ago. It emphasizes the recency of an action.
Example: “She has just arrived.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “just” to highlight that something happened moments ago. It’s often used with the present perfect tense to emphasize immediacy (e.g., “I have just finished my homework.”). It can also add emphasis in affirmative sentences (e.g., “Just in time!”).
Adverb: Once
Description: Refers to one single time. It indicates that an event happened at some unspecified time in the past.
Example: “I visited Paris once.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “once” to denote a single occurrence. It’s useful in storytelling and recounting experiences (e.g., “Once, when I was a child…”). It can also be used in conditional sentences to indicate a specific point (e.g., “Once you finish, let me know.”).
Adverb: Never
Description: Indicates that something has not happened at any time in the past, present, or future.
Example: “I have never been to Japan.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “never” to emphasize the absence of an occurrence. It is useful in making strong negative statements (e.g., “He never listens to advice.”).
- It works well with perfect tenses to highlight that something has not occurred up to now (e.g., “She has never tried sushi.”).
Adverb: Always
Description: Indicates that something happens every time without exception. It denotes regularity and consistency.
Example: “He always wakes up early.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “always” to express habits or consistent actions. It’s useful in describing routines and permanent states (e.g., “She always does her homework after school.”).
- It can also emphasize strong feelings or beliefs (e.g., “I will always love you.”).
Adverb: Usually
Description: Refers to something that happens most of the time, but not always. It indicates a regular pattern.
Example: “She usually goes to the gym in the morning.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “usually” to describe common actions or habits. It’s effective in discussing routines that have some exceptions (e.g., “He usually takes the bus, but sometimes he walks.”).
- It adds a sense of regularity without absolute certainty.
Adverb: Often
Description: Refers to something that happens frequently. It indicates regular but not constant occurrences.
Example: “They often travel during the holidays.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “often” to describe actions that occur many times. It’s useful in emphasizing the frequency of events (e.g., “I often visit my grandparents.”).
- It can add emphasis to habits or repeated actions (e.g., “He often forgets his keys.”).
Adverb: Sometimes
Description: Refers to something that happens occasionally. It indicates irregular occurrences.
Example: “We sometimes eat out.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “sometimes” to describe actions that occur now and then. It’s useful for discussing habits that are not consistent (e.g., “She sometimes goes for a run.”). It helps in creating a sense of occasional activity without specifying exact frequency.
Adverb: Seldom
Description: Refers to something that rarely happens. It indicates infrequent occurrences.
Example: “He seldom goes to the movies.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “seldom” to describe actions that occur infrequently. It’s often used to add emphasis to rarity (e.g., “She seldom travels abroad.”). It can provide contrast to more frequent behaviors or actions.
Adverb: Rarely
Description: Indicates that something happens infrequently or seldom. It suggests a very low occurrence rate.
Example: “She rarely eats fast food.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “rarely” to highlight actions that happen very infrequently. It adds a sense of exclusivity or unusualness (e.g., “I rarely go to parties.”). It can strengthen a statement about one’s preferences or behaviors.
Adverb: Frequently
Description: Refers to something that happens often or repeatedly. It indicates regular occurrences.
Example: “They frequently visit their grandparents.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “frequently” to emphasize the regularity of actions. It’s useful for discussing habits or patterns that happen multiple times (e.g., “I frequently check my emails.”). It can also indicate high levels of repetition.
Adverb: Eventually
Description: Refers to something that happens after a period of time, usually implying that there were delays or obstacles.
Example: “He eventually found his keys.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “eventually” to indicate that something was achieved after some time or difficulty (e.g., “They eventually agreed on a date.”). It’s effective for storytelling and recounting experiences that took time to resolve.
Adverb: Immediately
Description: Indicates that something happens without delay, often in response to a situation or event.
Example: “Please call me immediately.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “immediately” to emphasize urgency or the need for quick action (e.g., “We need to leave immediately.”). It’s effective in both formal and informal contexts when a quick response is required.
Adverb: Instantly
Description: Refers to something that happens in an instant, without any delay.
Example: “The pain went away instantly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “instantly” to emphasize the immediacy of a reaction or event (e.g., “She instantly knew the answer.”). It works well in descriptions of quick changes or responses.
Adverb: Formerly
Description: Refers to a time in the past, typically indicating a previous status or condition.
Example: “She was formerly known as Jane Smith.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “formerly” to indicate a change in status or identity over time (e.g., “The building was formerly a school.”). It’s often used in formal writing or historical contexts.
Adverb: Next
Description: Refers to the time or event immediately following the present or another specified event.
Example: “What will we do next?”
Usage Tips:
- Use “next” to indicate the subsequent action or event (e.g., “Next, we’ll discuss the budget.”). It’s effective in planning or organizing sequences of events.
Adverb: Then
Description: Refers to a particular time in the past or future, often used to indicate a sequence.
Example: “Finish your work, then you can relax.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “then” to connect actions in a logical sequence (e.g., “I went to the store, then I cooked dinner.”). It helps in structuring narratives and instructions.
Adverb: Yet
Description: Indicates that something has not happened up to a specific time but implies that it may happen in the future.
Example: “She hasn’t finished her homework yet.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “yet” in negative sentences to indicate incompletion or delay (e.g., “I haven’t heard from him yet.”). It’s often used to imply anticipation of future action.
Adverb: Tonight
Description: Refers to the evening or night of the current day.
Example: “Are you free tonight?”
Usage Tips:
- Use “tonight” to specify actions happening in the current evening or night (e.g., “We’re watching a movie tonight.”). It’s useful in planning social events or activities that occur after sunset.
Adverb: Daily
Description: Refers to something that happens every day without exception.
Example: “She takes her medicine daily.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “daily” to indicate actions or routines that occur every day (e.g., “I exercise daily.”). It’s effective for establishing habits or regular schedules.
Adverb: Weekly
Description: Refers to something that happens every week, typically on a regular schedule.
Example: “They have a meeting weekly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “weekly” to describe regular occurrences that happen once a week (e.g., “We meet weekly to discuss progress.”). It’s useful in organizational and planning contexts.
Adverb: Monthly
Description: Refers to something that happens every month.
Example: “We pay the rent monthly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “monthly” to indicate actions that occur once a month (e.g., “I review my budget monthly.”). It helps in financial planning and regular assessments.
Adverb: Yearly
Description: Refers to something that happens every year.
Example: “The festival is held yearly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “yearly” to describe annual events or actions (e.g., “We have a yearly family reunion.”). It’s effective for long-term planning.
Adverb: Annually
Description: Refers to something that occurs once every year, similar to “yearly.”
Example: “The report is published annually.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “annually” in formal contexts to specify yearly occurrences (e.g., “We conduct audits annually.”). It’s useful for reports, assessments, and formal documentation.
Adverb: Quarterly
Description: Refers to something that happens every three months.
Example: “We review our goals quarterly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “quarterly” to describe actions or reports that occur every three months (e.g., “We have quarterly meetings.”). It’s helpful in business contexts for financial planning.
Adverb: Hourly
Description: Refers to something that happens every hour.
Example: “The bus arrives hourly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “hourly” to describe events or actions that occur once every hour (e.g., “I check my emails hourly.”). It can apply in contexts where time-sensitive actions are crucial.
Adverb: Continually
Description: Refers to something that happens repeatedly over a period of time, often with interruptions.
Example: “He continually interrupts the meeting.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “continually” to emphasize repeated actions that may not be consistent (e.g., “She continually seeks improvement.”). It can be useful in both positive and negative contexts.
Adverb: Continuously
Description: Refers to something that happens without stopping or interruption.
Example: “The machine runs continuously.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “continuously” to describe actions or processes that occur without a break (e.g., “He studied continuously for hours.”). It’s effective in technical or formal contexts where uninterrupted action is key.
Adverb: Periodically
Description: Refers to something that occurs at regular intervals, but not necessarily frequently.
Example: “The team meets periodically.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “periodically” to describe actions that happen at set intervals (e.g., “We review our performance periodically.”). It’s useful for planning and reporting purposes.
Adverb: Regularly
Description: Refers to something that happens often and consistently.
Example: “She exercises regularly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “regularly” to describe habits or routines that occur consistently (e.g., “I regularly attend workshops.”). It emphasizes a commitment to routine activities.
Adverb: Intermittently
Description: Refers to something that happens irregularly, with breaks in between occurrences.
Example: “The signal cuts out intermittently.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “intermittently” to describe actions that do not have a regular pattern (e.g., “He works out intermittently.”). It’s helpful in contexts discussing reliability or consistency.
Adverb: Promptly
Description: Indicates that something happens immediately or without delay.
Example: “Please respond promptly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “promptly” to emphasize the need for quick action (e.g., “She arrived promptly at noon.”). It’s often used in formal contexts where timeliness is crucial.
Adverb: Presently
Description: Refers to something happening soon, in the near future.
Example: “The doctor will see you presently.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “presently” to indicate an action that will occur shortly (e.g., “We will start the meeting presently.”). It can add a sense of urgency or expectation.
Adverb: Perpetually
Description: Indicates that something happens continuously and indefinitely, often without interruption.
Example: “She is perpetually late.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “perpetually” to describe ongoing actions or states that seem never-ending (e.g., “He is perpetually curious.”). It can carry a slightly negative connotation in contexts of annoyance.
Adverb: Briefly
Description: Refers to something that happens for a short time.
Example: “She spoke briefly.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “briefly” to emphasize the short duration of an action (e.g., “He explained the issue briefly.”). It’s effective in summarizing discussions or presentations.
Adverb: Temporarily
Description: Indicates that something happens for a limited time, suggesting that it is not permanent.
Example: “The store is temporarily closed.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “temporarily” to describe states or actions that are not enduring (e.g., “I am temporarily living with my parents.”). It helps in clarifying the non-permanence of situations.
Adverb: Eventually
Description: Indicates that something happens after a long period or as a final result.
Example: “He eventually agreed.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “eventually” to highlight that something was achieved after delays or obstacles (e.g., “They eventually reached a consensus.”). It’s useful for storytelling and discussing outcomes.
Adverb: Finally
Description: Indicates the last point in a sequence of actions, emphasizing the conclusion.
Example: “She finally finished her work.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “finally” to signal the completion of a series of events or actions (e.g., “After many delays, we finally launched the product.”). It emphasizes satisfaction or relief at the end of a process.
Adverb: Ultimately
Description: Refers to the final result or outcome, often summarizing the most important conclusion.
Example: “Ultimately, it was a success.”
Usage Tips:
- Use “ultimately” to encapsulate the final outcome after considering various factors (e.g., “Ultimately, we chose the best candidate.”). It’s effective for discussions that involve decision-making or summarizing events.