Time Expressions
We use phrases with prepositions as time adverbials: • We use at with: clock times: at seven o’clock - at nine thirty - at fifteen hundred hours mealtimes: at breakfast - at lunchtime - at teatime … and in these phrases: at night - at the weekend - at Christmas - at Easter
We use in with: seasons of the year: in spring/summer/autumn/winter - in the spring /summer/autumn/winter years and centuries: in 2009 -in 1998 - in the twentieth century months: in January/February/March etc. parts of the day: in the morning - in the afternoon - in the evening.
We use on with: days: on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday etc - on Christmas day - on my birthday. dates: on the thirty first of July - on June 15th We use the adverb ago with the past simple to say how long before the time of speaking something happened: I saw Jim about three weeks ago. We arrived a few minutes ago.
Frequency always usually regularly Normally often sometimes occasionally rarely seldom never
Common Time Phrases AHEAD OF ONE’S TIME = Having ideas or attitudes that are too advanced for the culture/society at the moment “My grandmother was ahead of her time – she opened her own company in an era when there were few women in the business world.”
BEHIND THE TIMES = Old-fashioned, not keeping up with current developments “Bob is a bit behind the times – he doesn’t know how to use a computer, much less a smartphone!” A RACE AGAINST TIME = A situation when you need to rush to do something before the deadline (time limit) “The last day for submitting project proposals is one week from today – so now it’s a race against time.”
HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE = Have a super wonderful experience My kids had the time of their lives at Disney World. HAVE A HELL OF A TIME = A very difficult experience I’m having a hell of a time trying to install this software – every time I try, I get a different error message.
HAVE A LOT OF TIME ON YOUR HANDS = have a lot of free time (maybe too much) That guy completely covered the walls of his room with colored pencil drawings. He must have a lot of time on his hands! ONLY A MATTER OF TIME = it will definitely happen sooner or later The company has lost money for the third year in a row; it’s only a matter of time before it goes bankrupt.
TIME WILL TELL = the passing of time will show the result, whether good or bad “I was surprised that Bill and Jackie got married. Do you think they’ll be happy together?” “Only time will tell.“ STAND THE TEST OF TIME = last for a long time and continue to be successful This is a classic work of literature. It has stood the test of time.
Good night! I'll see you ___ the morning. I don't usually eat much ____lunchtime - just a sandwich. The shops are all closed ____ June 10th; it's a public holiday. He needed to get up _____ the night to let the cat out. Owls come out _____ night, but you can also see them during the day She didn't come to work _____ Tuesday; she was ill. They moved to London about ten years _____ . The castle was built _____ the 14th century
They go to the movies. (often) She listens to classical music. (rarely) He reads the newspaper. (sometimes) Sara smiles. (never) She complains about her husband. (always) I drink coffee. (sometimes) Frank is ill. (often)
He feels terrible (usually) I go jogging in the morning. (always) She helps her daughter with her homework. (never) We watch television in the evening. (always) I smoke. (never) I eat meat. (seldom) I eat vegetables and fruits. (always)