Expressing time in English : complete course

When we talk or write in English, we often need to say when something happens. This is called expressing time in English. It means using the right words, phrases, or verb forms to show if something happened in the past, is happening now, or will happen in the future. Understanding time expressions is one of the first big steps in speaking English clearly and naturally.

Here are two simple examples to start:

• I eat breakfast every morning. (a habit in the present)
• She called me yesterday. (an action in the past)

The Key Elements of Expressing Time in English

There are several tools English speakers use to express time. Let us look at the most important ones.

1. Time Adverbs and Time Expressions

These are single words or short phrases that tell us when something happens. They are easy to use and very common in everyday English.

• Now – I am studying now.
• Yesterday – We went to the park yesterday.
• Tomorrow – He will call tomorrow.
• Always / Often / Never – She always drinks coffee in the morning.
• Last week / Next year – They traveled last week.

2. Prepositions of Time

In English, we use specific prepositions before time words. The three most important are at, on, and in. Many learners mix them up, so this table will help you remember:

3. Verb Tenses and Time

English uses different verb tenses to show when an action takes place. Here are the three basic ones:

• Simple Present – for habits and general facts: I work every day.
• Simple Past – for finished actions: She visited her friend last Sunday.
• Simple Future (will) – for future plans or predictions: We will travel next month.

Each tense works together with time expressions to make your message clear.

Why Expressing Time Correctly Matters

Imagine saying to your friend: ‘I see you yesterday.’ It sounds strange, right? That is because the verb and the time word do not match. Using the correct time expression helps people understand you easily. It avoids confusion and makes your English sound more natural and confident.

Time expressions are used in almost every conversation: making plans, telling stories, talking about routines, or describing past events. If you master this topic, your English will improve a lot, even at a basic level.

Comparison with Other Languages

If you speak French or Spanish, you already use time expressions in your language. But English works a little differently. Here is a quick comparison:

One key difference: English uses on before days (on Monday), while French and Spanish use an article (le lundi, el lunes). Also, English uses in for months and years, while the equivalents in French and Spanish vary. Pay attention to these small differences; they make a big impact!

A Complete Example

Let us look at a short paragraph that uses different time expressions together:

‘I usually wake up at 7 o’clock in the morning. On Mondays, I go to my English class. Last week, I learned some new vocabulary. Next month, I will start a new course. I am very happy right now because my English is improving!’

Notice how different time tools are used together:

• at 7 o’clock → preposition + specific time
• in the morning → preposition + part of the day
• on Mondays → preposition + day of the week
• last week → time adverb phrase (past)
• next month → time adverb phrase (future)
• right now → time adverb (present moment)

Key Points to Remember

• Use at for specific times and holidays: at noon, at Easter
• Use on for days and dates: on Friday, on December 25th
• Use in for months, years, and seasons: in winter, in 1999
• Match your verb tense with your time expression: past word = past tense, future word = future form
• Common time adverbs like yesterday, now, and tomorrow are your best friends at the beginning
• Practice by writing simple sentences about your own daily life using different time expressions

Expressing time in English is not as difficult as it seems. Start with the basics, practice every day, and you will quickly feel more confident. In the next articles of this series, we will explore each tense and time structure in more detail. Stay tuned!

Sources

• Swan, M. (2005) : Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press.
• Murphy, R. (2019) : English Grammar in Use (5th edition). Cambridge University Press.
• Celce-Murcia, M., & Larsen-Freeman, D. (1999) : The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher’s Course. Heinle & Heinle Publishers.