What is an adverb of time?

An adverb of time tells you when, for how long, or how often something happens: She arrived yesterday. We waited for an hour. He calls every week. It can be one word (now, soon, still) or a phrase doing the same job (last night, since March), and it usually modifies the whole sentence rather than a single word.

Where do adverbs of time go in a sentence?

The default position is the end of the clause: I saw her yesterday. For emphasis or to set the scene, definite times can move to the front: Yesterday I saw her. Short indefinite adverbs (already, just, still, soon, often) go in the middle, after be or the first auxiliary and before the main verb: She has just left. She is still here.

What is the difference between for and since?

For gives the length of a period: for two hours, for ten years, for a long time. Since gives the point where the period started: since Monday, since 2015, since I was a child. Both often go with the present perfect when the situation continues: I've worked here for six years, since 2020.

Is yesterday an adverb or a noun?

It can be both. In I saw her yesterday it works as an adverb of time, modifying the verb. In Yesterday was awful it is a noun and the subject of the sentence. The same is true of today, tomorrow, and tonight, which is why they can take a possessive: tomorrow's meeting.

Can you use two adverbs of time in one sentence?

Yes, and the more precise one normally comes first: We meet at seven on Thursdays. The doctor will see you at ten tomorrow morning. One of them can also move to the front to avoid a long tail: Tomorrow morning the doctor will see you at ten.

English grammar · Beginner

Adverbs of Time: When, How Long, How Often, and Where They Go

Written by Eleanor Whitfield, Lead English Curriculum Editor · Reviewed September 2026

Adverbs of time tell you when something happens (yesterday, now, soon, later), how long it lasts (for two hours, all day, since Monday), or how often it happens (often, rarely, every week). They can be single words or phrases, and most of them go at the end of the sentence, or at the beginning for emphasis.

We're leaving tomorrow, so I need to pack tonight.

two adverbs of time, each at the end of its clause

What it is

An adverb of time adds a time reference to a verb or a whole clause. It can be a single word (yesterday, now, soon, already, still) or a phrase that does the same job (last week, for two hours, every Monday), which grammars call an adverbial of time. They answer three questions: when? (We left early), how long? (We stayed all day), and how often? (We visit every summer). Because they modify the whole sentence rather than one word, they are more mobile than most adverbs and can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end.

Yesterday I worked for ten hours, and I still haven't finished. (Yesterday: when. For ten hours: how long. Still: continuing up to now.)

How to spot it

Ask when, how long, or how often about the verb. The word or phrase that answers is an adverb of time, whatever its form: tonight, at six, in 2019, for ages, since March, once a week, all morning, ever since.

I'll call you later. (when: after now)
It rained all night. (how long: the whole night)
She checks her email constantly. (how often: very frequently)
We haven't spoken since the wedding. (how long: from a starting point until now)

Time words that answer when often force a particular tense: yesterday and ago go with the past simple, already and yet with the present perfect in British English, tomorrow and next week with a future form.

Adverbs of Time Quick Reference

The groups of time adverbs and where they usually go

Group	Examples	Usual position
When: definite	yesterday, today, tomorrow, tonight, last year, at six, in May	end of the clause; front for emphasis
When: indefinite	now, then, soon, later, recently, already, just, still, yet	mid-position for already, just, still; end for soon, later, yet
How long	for two hours, all day, since 2015, until Friday, for ages	end of the clause
How often: definite	every day, twice a week, once a month, daily	end of the clause
How often: indefinite	always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never	mid-position, before the main verb
Sequence	first, then, next, afterwards, finally, eventually	front of the clause, often with a comma

Common Adverbs of Time Examples in English

The three questions time adverbs answer, plus the adverbs that put events in order:

When: Points in Time

The parcel arrived yesterday.: a definite time, at the end
I'm busy now, but I can help you later.: now and later are relative to the moment of speaking
We're moving house next month.: future time phrase at the end
Then the lights went out.: then at the front, moving the story on
She'll be here soon.: an indefinite near-future time

Definite time words (yesterday, at six, in 2019) go at the end unless you want to highlight them: Yesterday, the parcel finally arrived.

How Long: Duration

They talked for hours.: for + a length of time
I've lived here since 2018.: since + a starting point, with the present perfect
It snowed all day.: all + a period
You can stay until Sunday.: until: the end point of the period
He worked there briefly in his twenties.: a single adverb of duration

For gives the length, since gives the start, until gives the end. All three normally sit at the end of the clause.

How Often: Frequency

I usually cycle to work.: indefinite frequency, before the main verb
She has never missed a deadline.: after the auxiliary has
We eat out twice a month.: definite frequency at the end
He rarely complains.: rarely before the verb; the sentence stays positive in form

Frequency adverbs are covered in full separately; the key rule is that single words go in mid-position and phrases with a number go at the end.

Sequencing Events

First, preheat the oven. Then mix the flour and butter.: first and then order the steps
We had dinner and afterwards went for a walk.: afterwards: later than the previous event
Finally, the train pulled in.: the last item in a series, or after a long wait
Eventually she found the keys under the sofa.: after a long time or many attempts

At last expresses relief after waiting; finally can simply mark the last step. In the end means after everything that happened; at the end needs a noun: at the end of the film.

How Adverbs of Time Work

Three positions, one default, and a fixed order when several adverbs meet.

End Position Is the Default

Most time adverbs and adverbials go at the end of the clause, after the verb and its object: I saw her yesterday, not I saw yesterday her. This is where definite times (at six, last week), durations (for an hour), and definite frequencies (every day) belong.

We finished the project last Friday.

verb, object, then the time

Verb + object + time.

Front Position for Emphasis and Contrast

Moving the time expression to the front makes it the frame for the whole sentence, often to contrast it with another time or to set the scene in a story. It is usually followed by a comma in writing.

Last year we went to Greece. This year we're staying at home.

the two times are contrasted by putting them first

Front the time to contrast or set the scene.

Short Indefinite Adverbs Go in the Middle

Single-word adverbs of indefinite time and frequency (already, just, still, now, then, often, never) usually go in mid-position: before the main verb, but after be and after the first auxiliary. This is the same slot as always and usually.

She has already left. She is still here. He often works late.

after has and is, before the main verb works

After be or the auxiliary, before the main verb.

Yet and Anymore Stay at the End

A few indefinite adverbs refuse mid-position. Yet goes at the end of negatives and questions (I haven't finished yet), and anymore or any more goes at the end of a negative (She doesn't live here anymore). Still, its positive partner, goes in the middle (She still lives here).

Have you eaten yet? I don't eat meat anymore.

both at the end, after the object

Yet and anymore end the sentence.

Several Adverbs: Smaller Unit First, Then Manner, Place, Time

When two time expressions appear together, the more precise one comes first: at six on Friday, at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. When time meets adverbs of manner and place, the usual order is manner, then place, then time: She worked hard in the garden all afternoon. Time can always move to the front to lighten the end of the sentence.

He arrived late at the office on Monday.

manner (late), place (at the office), time (on Monday)

Manner, place, time.

Common Mistakes with Adverbs of Time

Incorrect: I yesterday went to the dentist.

Correct: I went to the dentist yesterday.

Definite time expressions do not go between the subject and the verb. They belong at the end of the clause or, for emphasis, at the very front: Yesterday I went to the dentist.

Incorrect: I have seen that film last week.

Correct: I saw that film last week.

Last week names a finished time, and finished times take the past simple. The present perfect cannot combine with yesterday, ago, last week, or in 2010.

Incorrect: We are living here since two years.

Correct: We have lived here for two years.

Two errors: since introduces a starting point (since 2024), while for introduces a length of time, and a situation that started in the past and continues needs the present perfect rather than the present tense.

Incorrect: I always am late on Mondays.

Correct: I am always late on Mondays.

Mid-position adverbs come after the verb be, not before it: am always, is still, were already. With other verbs they come before the main verb: I always arrive late.

Time Adverbs That Choose the Tense

Many time adverbs are welded to a tense, so learning the adverb also settles the verb form.

Finished time: past simple

Yesterday, last week, in 2010, two days ago, when I was young: any word that names a completed past time takes the past simple, not the present perfect.

I saw him two days ago.: ago always counts back from now to a finished point
We moved here in 2019.: a finished year
She called last night.: last + period = finished

Ago goes after the length of time (two days ago), never before it, and never with the present perfect: I have seen him two days ago is an error.

Time up to now: present perfect

Already, just, yet, ever, never, so far, since, for (with a continuing situation), recently, and lately all measure time up to the present and normally take the present perfect in British English.

I've just finished.: a moment ago, seen from now
Have you ever been to Japan?: any time up to now
We've known each other for years.: the period continues

American English often uses the past simple with just, already, and yet: I just finished. Did you eat yet?

Future time: will, going to, or the present tenses

Tomorrow, next week, soon, later, in an hour, and tonight point forward and go with will, be going to, or the present continuous for arrangements. In a time clause after when or as soon as, the verb takes the present simple.

I'll do it later.: will + later: a spontaneous plan
We're flying to Rome tomorrow.: present continuous for a fixed arrangement
Call me as soon as you arrive tonight.: present simple after as soon as

Soon, later, and now can also appear with past or perfect tenses in the right context; the definite future words (tomorrow, next week) cannot.

Quick Check: Adverbs of Time

Put the adverb or time phrase in brackets into the most natural position, or choose the right word.

1. I've finished the report. (already)

Answer: I've already finished the report.

mid-position, after have

2. We watched a film. (last night)

Answer: We watched a film last night.

definite time at the end

3. She is late for meetings. (never)

Answer: She is never late for meetings.

after be

4. They haven't replied. (yet)

Answer: They haven't replied yet.

yet at the end of a negative

5. He moved to Leeds three years ___. (ago / before)

Answer: ago

ago counts back from now

6. ___ we had dinner, and ___ we went for a walk. (First / Then)

Answer: First, Then

sequencing adverbs at the front

Adverbs of Time FAQs

What is an adverb of time?: An adverb of time tells you when, for how long, or how often something happens: She arrived yesterday. We waited for an hour. He calls every week. It can be one word (now, soon, still) or a phrase doing the same job (last night, since March), and it usually modifies the whole sentence rather than a single word.
Where do adverbs of time go in a sentence?: The default position is the end of the clause: I saw her yesterday. For emphasis or to set the scene, definite times can move to the front: Yesterday I saw her. Short indefinite adverbs (already, just, still, soon, often) go in the middle, after be or the first auxiliary and before the main verb: She has just left. She is still here.
What is the difference between for and since?: For gives the length of a period: for two hours, for ten years, for a long time. Since gives the point where the period started: since Monday, since 2015, since I was a child. Both often go with the present perfect when the situation continues: I've worked here for six years, since 2020.
Is yesterday an adverb or a noun?: It can be both. In I saw her yesterday it works as an adverb of time, modifying the verb. In Yesterday was awful it is a noun and the subject of the sentence. The same is true of today, tomorrow, and tonight, which is why they can take a possessive: tomorrow's meeting.
Can you use two adverbs of time in one sentence?: Yes, and the more precise one normally comes first: We meet at seven on Thursdays. The doctor will see you at ten tomorrow morning. One of them can also move to the front to avoid a long tail: Tomorrow morning the doctor will see you at ten.