3. Adverbs of time. Position of adverbs of time.

Position of adverbs of definite time.

Two main categories of adverbs of definite time can be defined:

1. ‘Points of time’ such as today, tomorrow, yesterday, etc. These can be modified be the words early, earlier, late and later.

2. Prepositional phrases which function as adverbials of time. They often begin with at, in or on: e.g. in May, at 3 o’clock. The most usual position is at the very end of a sentence: I bought this book yesterday. Definite time references can also be made at the beginning: This morning I had a telephone call from Jack. If there is more than one time reference, we usually progress from the particular to the general, i.e. time + day + date + year: He was born at 15.15 on Tuesday April 9^th 1996.

Position of adverbs of indefinite time.

The following adverbs usually come at the end of a sentence, although they can also come before the end and (usually to focus interest or for contrast) at the beginning of a sentence: afterwards, eventually, formerly, immediately, lately, once, presently, recently, soon, subsequently, suddenly, then, ultimately: I have gone to London recently. I have recently gone to London. When the verb is be, these adverbs usually come after it: I was once in London. Early and late come at the end of a sentence or clause: We went to the theatre too early/late for the performance. Another day/time, one day (referring to past or future), some day (referring to future), can come at the beginning or the end: Some day I’ll show them! I’ll show them some day.

Exercise 138. Choose the correct answer:

1. I didn’t see you (last night there, there last night). 2. Mary did her homework (last night very quickly, very quickly last night). 3. The children have been playing (this afternoon football in the park, football in the park this afternoon). 4. My husband and I went (to our son’s school yesterday, yesterday to our son’s school). 5. I think I will go (early to bed tonight, to bed early tonight). 6. Even the most remote places are visited (nowadays by tourists, by tourists nowadays). 7. She can play (now the piano very well, the piano very well now). 8. My children? They are (all adults now, now are adults). 9. I washed (my dog yesterday, yesterday my dog).

Position and use of ‘still’.

Still, referring to time, emphasizes continuity. It is mainly used in questions and affirmatives, often with progressive tenses. Its position is the same as for adverbs of indefinite frequency: Mr. Brown is still at work. I’m still waiting for her letter. John still works for the Council.

Position and use of ‘already’.

Already is not normally used in negative sentences. Its position is the same as for adverbs of indefinite frequency, though it can also come at the end: This dress is already out of date. It is out of date already. He has already seen the film. He has seen it already.

Position and use of ‘yet’.

Yet generally comes at the end in questions and negatives: Have you passed your driving test yet? Haven’t you passed your driving test yet? He hasn’t passed his driving test yet. In negatives, yet can come before the main verb: He hasn’t yet passed his driving test. Yet is often used after not in short negative answers: Has he come? – No, not yet.

Position and use of ‘just’.

Just (referring to time) has the same position as for adverbs of indefinite frequency and is used: with perfect tenses to mean ‘during a very short period before now or before then’: I’ve just finished reading the book. I saw him yesterday. He had just come out of hospital. Just has other meanings, e.g. ‘that and nothing else’: How do I work this? – You just turn on that switch.

Exercise 139. Translate from Russian into English:

1. Ты уже покрасил пол в комнате? 2. Я просто хочу включить свет. 3. Ты ещё не съел суп? 4. Я всё ещё думаю о нашем плане. 5. Я уже много раз говорил тебе об этом. 6. Я только что сварила кофе. 7. Ты всё выучил? – Нет ещё. 8. Да я всё ёще ничего о ней не знаю! 9. Я просто хочу знать, что ты задумал. 10. Ты ещё спишь? 11. Ты уже знаешь об их свадьбе? 12. Мы ещё ничего не решили, поэтому мне нечего сказать.

Exercise 140. Put the adverbs in brackets in their proper places:

1. Aren’t you ready? (yet) 2. I have won two tennis championships. (already) 3. He doesn’t understand the rule? (still) 4. My brother and I live at home. (still) 5. My younger brother has finished school. (just) 6. What’s the matter? He is in bed! (still) 7. I am going for a walk. (just) 8. I know she said she was sorry, but I am angry. (still) 9. They haven’t finished breakfast. (yet) 10. I have seen the dean. (just) 11. It started snowing two hours ago and it is snowing. (still) 12. Has he learnt everything about it? (yet)

Exercise 141. Put the adverbs of indefinite time in their proper place.

1. I have seen him (just). 2. Have you spoken to her about it (ever)? 3. I have been to the laboratory (already). Nick isn’t there. 4. We have been there before (never). 5. They haven’t finished breakfast (yet). 6. I have done my homework (already). 7. Have you made the beds, Ann (already)? 8. Mary and Edward have left (just). 9. She hasn’t finished doing the room (yet). 10. I have finished my translation and now I am free (just). 11. She has seen the sea (never) and wants to go to the Crimea this summer. 12. When does your train leave? Have you packed your bags (yet)? 13. Have you been to England (ever)? 14. The bell has gone off (just). 15. I have seen him looking so pale (never). 16. If you have seen the film you must remember this scene (ever).