In the following files, you will find the opportunities to use the time expressions. Click on each point to observe some of the examples
Expression times can be used for:
At the end of the topic you will:
Use some “Time Expressions” (the day, the other day, among others) through the review of texts and different educational resources which reflect lifestyles in English speaking countries to share ideas.
Being able to use the correct time expressions in English enables you to maintain a coherent and smooth story line when you are giving your presentation. It is very important to keep words and expressions simple as trying to sound more sophisticated often leads you down the road of boring presentations.
Check the next example in the video of Steve Jobs. Listen his words and expressions short and simple and he does this for a very simple reason: he knows that not all his audience understands the technicalities of a computer.
Superapple4ever (2010) Steve Jobs Introducing The Iphone At Macworld [Video] Consulted from: http://bit.ly/1FFTQwb January 13th, 2017
Well, let´s check the importance and the use of some of the time expressions more common in the daily life. During a presentation, there will be times when you will have to talk about the past, present and future. Using the right words to describe these periods of time is important. Here are a few examples.
Place the mouse on each of the following phrases to know their meanings in Spanish.
SPECIFYING THE TIME OF DAY |
SEPECIFYING THE DAY |
Last night
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The day before yesterday
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Tonight
|
Yesterday
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Tomorrow night
|
Today
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In the morning
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Tomorrow
|
In the afternoon
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The day after tomorrow
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In the evening
|
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Yesterday morning
|
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Yesterday afternoon
|
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Yesterday evening
|
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This morning
|
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This afternoon
|
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This evening
|
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Tomorrow morning
|
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Tomorrow afternoon
|
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Tomorrow evening
|
|
DURATION |
OTHER TIME EXPRESSIONS |
SPECIFYING THE WEEK, MONTH OR YEAR |
I lived in Canada for six months |
Five minutes ago |
Last week |
I’ve worked here for nine years |
An hour ago |
Last month |
I’m going to France tomorrow for two weeks |
A week ago |
Last year |
We were swimming for a long time |
Two weeks ago |
This week |
A month ago |
This month |
|
A year ago |
This year |
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A long time ago |
Next week |
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In ten minutes’s time or in ten minutes |
Next month |
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In an hour´s time or in an hour |
Next year |
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In a week’s time or in a week |
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In ten days’ time or in ten days |
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In three weeks’ time or in three weeks |
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In two months’ time or in two months |
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In ten years’ time or in ten years |
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The previous day |
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The previous week |
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The previous month |
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The previous year |
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The following day |
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The following week |
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The following month |
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The following year |
Adapted to Speak Languajes (2016) Time Expressions. Section Phrases. From http://bit.ly/2j2Qm0N at November 25th, 2016
When do we use these time expressions? To make the story clearer and more logical. Look at the following options to start a story, presentation, conversation, etc., using time expressions:
Click on each point to observe some of the examples
Time expressions:
Tim expressions:
Tim expressions:
To make the story clearer and more logical.
Activity 1
Wrong DestinyAs we have mentioned before time expressions are really important to communicate situations, actions or events in a logical and coherent form, in the past, in the present or in the future. In the following activity you will read a story developed during a trip to England and some problems the travellers had to face during their arrival.
Read this story, choice and drag the correct answer for complete the empty spaces. When you have finished, check your results.”
Activity 2
A man and a woman in the subwayTo answer any question to indicate the time or specific time an event occurred; it is important to select the correct time expression, So, the following conversation is developed in the subway station in New York where a woman needs some help.
Click on Activity 2 to answer the questions. Once you have finished answering; check your results.”
Activity 3
Time expression tableNow you are going to identify when the correct time is to use time expressions, through the following table.
First identify the time expression that corresponds to each number and drag it to the corresponding blank space.
Click on Activity 3 to answer the exercise. Once you have finished, check your results.
Activity 4
Time expressions and speaking timeNow that we have practiced time expressions, it is the moment to start applying them in daily speech. Remember that using correctly the expressions of time will allow your speech to be consistent.
First write in a word document in a maximum of 200 words who you are and who you want to be as a person in the future. Now record your writing in the free application vocaroo.com Once the recording is finished, listen carefully. Please try to remark and pronounce the time expressions. Do not forget to use as many time expressions as you can.
Click on the rubric for self- evaluation.
Now let´s practice what you have learned about time expressions in a simple exercise. Choose the correct option for the completing the statements. Once you have finished, check your results.
Basic references
Complementary references