Do you get excited with the results of a hard day's work?
Do you smile when you remember everything you have accomplished or experienced in your life?
Retrieved on May 20, 2017 from https://pixabay.com/photo-307791/
Well, all of that can be expressed with a simple structure and even more critical, with time adverbs. It is fantastic to see how a simple word can say so much. Let me explain?
In this section, you are going to learn how to use the time adverbs.
At the end of this topic you will:
• Use time adverbs to talk about actions that have just happened, or have not happened, but will happen. Also, any that occurred before, or will not happen in a lifetime and even those that have always happened.
Let’s review a bit of Present Perfect, shall we?
Present Perfect
The Present Perfect is used to:
Click on each topic to see the content.
To connect the past with the present.
To talk about a repeated action in the past which can happen again.
To talk about an action in the past with consequences in the present.
To talk about experiences.
To talk about a very recent finished action.
Sometimes we use time adverbs to be very explicit in our message. These words carry an implicit message. In fact, they are the words that we are going to focus on.
So let’s move on!
Click on each topic to see the content.
We use it to talk about an action which was finished before we expected it.
Already is also used to show surprise about things that have happened or will have happened earlier than we expected.[ CITATION Cam \l 2058 ]
Son: Mom can I go out with my friends?
Mom: Have you cleaned your room?
Son: Yes! I’ve already done it.
Note:
Pay attention to the position of already!
We use recently and lately to talk about an action that has happened very close to the present time.
Laura: My mom is very nervous about my grades.
Mary: Really? Why?
Laura: She has asked me recently “are you going to pass the semester?”
NOW
An action which happened very close to the present, either in a continuous way or in repeated moments.
convince
promise
It is a word we exclusively use in negative sentences with the meaning “not at the moment but I’m planning to do it” and questions with the meaning “already”.
Robert: Have you heard the new podcast from “the X show”?
David: I haven’t heard it yet. Is it good?
Robert: I think it is the best so far, you have to hear it.
Note:
Look at the position and the structure of yet:
It is used in negative sentences and at the end of the sentence.
It is a negative word and it basically means “I have not done it in my life”. It is a word that implies that the speaker hasn’t experienced something.
Andrea: I just loved Emma Watson in “The Beauty and the Beast” did you like her too?
Jesus: Who is Emma Watson?
Andrea: Hermione! from The Harry Potter movies!
Jesus: I’m sorry. I have never seen any of those movies.
Andrea: I’m sorry Jesus I think we can’t be friends anymore.
It is a word that can be used to add emphasis or with the meaning “at any time”. It is almost never used in affirmative sentences (except for some fixed expressions “forever” “whatever”, etc) and it is mostly used in negatives and questions.
Wendy: Have you ever tried grasshoppers? They are delicious!
Stella: No I haven’t, but aren’t those a kind of insect?
Wendy: Yes, they are!
Stella: Eeewwww I won’t try them ever!!
Activity 1
Widespread use of adverbs is when we talk about life experiences either if we have done them or not. In this activity, you will read about some events you should do, and places you should visit before you die.
You will read the text “Incredible life experiences everyone should have”. Some words might be new for you;, so, you’ll have to understand them from the context. Use every reading comprehension skill you have developed. After this, you will identify the main use of adverbs to express the time in your activities.
Read the text and match the highlighted words to the correct meaning. There are only five definitions so be careful. You have two attempts to answer each item. At the end of the exercise, you can see your score.
Activity 2
Here you will read the text “Incredible life experiences everyone should have.” This time you have to pay attention to every detail that contains meaning. It could be, adverbs (yet, already, recently, lately, never, ever) or words according to the context.
Based on the statements, you will select True or False. At the end of the exercise, you can know your score.
Activity 3
Here you will listen to a radio show “an interview with the author.” Next, you will answer the following 3 questions to show your understanding of audio. Use your knowledge of frequency adverbs.
Click here to listen to the conversation:
Choose the most appropriate option for the following statements. At the end of the exercise, you can know your score.
Activity 4
Here you are going to listen again to the radio show “an interview with the author.” Then, use your knowledge of time adverbs to understand the context of the show. Answer each option with True or False.
Click here to listen to the conversation:
Decide if the following statements are true or false and choose the best option. At the end of the exercise, you can know your score.
Activity 5
In this topic, we have taught you how to express your achievements and experiences. You have practised this topic by listening about experiences, and now it is time to talk about your own.
The following is a self-assessment writing activity about everything you have explored. Remember that you do not need to save the world for considering something as an achievement.
Please check the rubrics to make sure your work meets the criteria. You can read this example to compare and self-assess your work.
Activity 6
Here you will use everything explored in the contents. That means the time adverbs which you will use to express the temporal space of your actions.
Now you will express some of your personal achievements or life experiences. To make it more challenging, you will have to use a time adverb in every idea. The length of your audio must be between 45” – 1min. Use at least 10 frequency adverbs and at least 1-time adverb. Remember not to read while you are recording.
Make sure your recording has the characteristics contained in the rubric. Compare your work to the following example. To self assess yourself use the rubrics.
It has been a long journey. But, but I am happy to say, you are almost through with this part of the course. To recap, here’s a little activity for you to check your knowledge on this topic.
Based on the information explored, decide on the best option to complete the exercise. This activity will ask you to identify the best time adverb for each sentence. Choose one of the three options given. When you finish, press the check button.
Good Luck!
BBC Learning English. (n.d). Always or ever? [web page]. Retrieved on 20.05.17 from https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/grammar/learnit/learnitv352.shtml
Cambridge dictionary. (n.d.). Cambridge dictionary. Taken from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/es/gramatica/gramatica-britanica/adverbs-of-time-and-frequency/already
Crocosaurus cove. (2017). Taken from http://www.crocosauruscove.com/
Curso de inglés. (n.d.). Taken from https://www.curso-ingles.com/aprender/cursos/nivel-intermedio/verb-tenses-future/future-simple
Edge walk. (2017). Taken from https://www.edgewalkcntower.ca/
English grammar on line. (n.d.). English grammar on line. Taken from https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive
Flyboard Queenstown. (2016). Taken from http://www.flyboardqt.com/about-us/
Ice Hotel. (n.d.). Taken from https://www.icehotel.com/about-icehotel/
Waitomo Glow worm caves. (2017). Taken from https://www.waitomo.com/Waitomo-Glowworm-Caves/Pages/default.aspx
5 minute English. (2013). Taken from http://www.5minuteenglish.com/may29.htm