Using “When” Adverbs like – next week, at midnight, in the morning

Understanding Adverbs of Time

An adverb of time is a type of adverb that provides information about when an action or event occurs. It helps to answer the question “When?” or “How often?” in a sentence. Adverbs of time can modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or even entire clauses, and they play an essential role in specifying the timing or frequency of an action or event.

Common Adverbs of Time

1. Now: I am studying English now.
2. Yesterday: I met her yesterday.
3. Soon: We will leave for vacation soon.
4. Always: She always arrives on time.
5. Before: Finish your homework before dinner.
6. Later: We’ll discuss this matter later.
7. Frequently: He frequently travels for work.
8. Never: I never miss my morning coffee.

These adverbs help to provide context and make sentences more precise by indicating when something happens. Adverbs of time can be used in various positions within a sentence, depending on the specific emphasis or structure you want to convey.

adverbs of time can be in the form of ‘Adverbial phrases’. Adverb phrases are groups of words that act like adverbs in a sentence. They provide additional information about how, when, where, or why an action happens.

Exercises Adverbs of Time

Difficulty Level : Intermediate / Proficient / Advanced / Skilled

Instruction : Complete the sentences with adverbs of time to describe when an action took place.

1. She will complete the project __________.
   Options: yesterday / next month / nearby / reluctantly
2. They met for coffee __________.
   Options: on the weekend / suddenly / under the table / happily
3. The train departed __________.
   Options: five miles away / last Thursday / with excitement / quietly
4. I’ll call you __________.
   Options: during the night / in my dreams / with a smile / under the stars
5. The fireworks lit up the sky __________.
   Options: yesterday / in her backpack / clumsily / like magic
6. The concert will take place __________.
   Options: in a cave / next week / with caution / upside down
7. She finished her homework __________.
   Options: at midnight / in a hurry / while skydiving / in a library
8. The sun rises __________.
   Options: under the ocean / gracefully / in the morning

Answers with Explanations

1. She will complete the project next month.
   – Here, “next month” is an adverbial phrase describing when she will complete the project. It specifies the future time frame.
2. They met for coffee on the weekend.
   – “On the weekend” is the adverbial phrase indicating the time when they met for coffee. It specifies a particular weekend in the past or future.
3. The train departed last Thursday.
   – “Last Thursday” is the adverbial phrase specifying the exact day when the train departed, which is in the past.
4. I’ll call you during the night.
   – “During the night” is the adverbial phrase specifying the time when the speaker will make a phone call, particularly during nighttime.
5. The fireworks lit up the sky yesterday.
   – “Yesterday” is the adverbial phrase indicating when the fireworks lit up the sky, which is in the past.
6. The concert will take place next week.
   – “Next week” is the adverbial phrase specifying when the concert will occur, in the future.
7. She finished her homework at midnight.
   – “At midnight” is the adverbial phrase indicating the exact time when she completed her homework.
8. The sun rises in the morning.
   – “In the morning” is the adverbial phrase describing when the sun rises, typically early in the day.

In each sentence, the adverbial phrase with a “when” adverb provides additional information about the time of the action or event, helping to clarify when or where it occurred.