TIME EXPRESSIONS

On this chart you will find the time expressions generally used with the verb tenses listed below. When you use these expressions,
either orally or in writing, make sure you select the appropriate verb tense.

SIMPLE PRESENT SIMPLE SIMPLE PRESENT PRESENT PERF.

PRESENT PROGRESSIVE PAST FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
*write *am, are, is *wrote *will write *have/has *have/has been
*writes writing *am, are, is + written writing
going to write
every now yesterday tomorrow times all long
day at this moment many day
Monday for the moment last tonight a couple of morning
week currently night several week
month at the present week next
etc. temporarily month week since* since
etc. month last 3 o’clock
on this year yesterday yesterday
Mondays week the last time etc. 1983 etc.
weekends semester the first time *If since introduces a time clause,
etc. month the next time the verb in the time clause will be for the last/past_
simple past.
etc. ago two days
always a day in in the last/past _____ three hours, etc.
usually today two weeks a few days week, month, year, etc.
often etc. ten minutes for
generally a month up to now ten days
sometimes earlier etc. so far two hours,
occasionally today lately etc.
once in a while this week recently
rarely etc.
seldom already (quests/affirm)
hardly ever in a long time (neg)
never yet (neg)

how long (quests.) how long (quests)

ever (quests.)

PAST PROGRESSIVE *was/were + -ing PAST PERFECT *had + past participle

Used with when to express past activity in progress, interrupted by a Used with by the time to express two activities in the past, one
non-continuous activity: I was writing when you called. occurring before the other. First activity: past perfect/second activity:
simple past. Can also be used with when.
Used with while to express two continuous activities occurring
at the same time in past: I was reading while you were writing. By the time / When we arrived, he had already left.