Time
Expressions

Presentation

Before starting, a reflection… Observe this image.

Hi, I´m Mr. Expretimes. I´m here to present time expressions Let´s start!

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

 

The day before yesterday

 

Tonight

 

Yesterday

 

Tomorrow night

 

Today

 

In the morning

 

Tomorrow

 

In the afternoon

 

The day after tomorrow

 

In the evening

 

 

 

Yesterday morning

 

 

 

Yesterday afternoon

 

 

 

Yesterday evening

 

 

 

This morning

 

 

 

This afternoon

 

 

 

This evening

 

 

 

Tomorrow morning

 

 

 

Tomorrow afternoon

 

 

 

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

A long time ago

Next week

In ten minutes’s time or in ten minutes

Next month

In an hour´s time or in an hour

Next year

In a week’s time or in a week

In ten days’ time or in ten days

In three weeks’ time or in three weeks

In two months’ time or in two months

In ten years’ time or in ten years

The previous day

The previous week

The previous month

The previous year

The following day

The following week

The following month

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


Reading

Activity 1

Wrong Destiny

As 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.”


Listening

Activity 2

A man and a woman in the subway

To 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.”





Writing

Activity 3

Time expression table

Now 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.


Speaking

Activity 4

Time expressions and speaking time

Now 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.

Self-assessment

Try yourself with more time expressions

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.

References

Basic references

  • Superapple4ever (2010) Steve Jobs Introducing The Iphone At Macworld [Video] Consulted from: https://bit.ly/1FFTQwb January 13th, 2017
  • Speak Languajes (2016) Time Expressions. Section Phrases. From https://bit.ly/2j2Qm0N at Rogers, M., Taylore-Knowles, J., & Taylore-Knowles, S. (2010) Openmind 2 Students book pack. México: MacMillan

Complementary references

  • Douglas, B., Johansson, S., Leech, G., Conrad, S., & Finegan, E. (1999) Longman Grammar of Spoken and Written English. England: Pearson Education
  • Graddol, D. (1997) The Future of English language in the 21st century. Stockholm University, Faculty of Humanities, Department of English.