Adverbs of Time in English: Later, Yet, Still, For, Since

Hello English learners! In today’s lesson, we are going to look at five very useful time words and expressions in English: later, yet, still, for, and since. These words are common in both spoken and written English, but they can sometimes be confusing because they do not all behave in the same way. Knowing how to use them correctly will help you speak and write more naturally. By mastering these adverbs of time in English, you can make your grammar more accurate and your everyday English more natural.

Let’s look at each one in turn.

Later

We use later to mean after a particular time or after something else has happened.

It is often placed at the end of a sentence, but it can also come at the beginning.

Examples:

• I will call you later.
• We went to the zoo later.
• Later, we decided to go for a walk.

We can also use later in comparisons.

Examples:

• Our mail arrived later than usual.
• She came home later than her sister.

Common pattern:

• later
• later on
• later than + noun / usual / expected

More examples:

• I’ll finish the report later on.
• The train left later than expected.

Yet

We usually use yet in negative sentences and questions. It shows that something has not happened up to now, or that we are asking whether it has happened.

It is normally placed at the end of the sentence.

Examples:

• I haven’t had breakfast yet.
• Darren hasn’t gone to the dentist yet.
• Have you finished your homework yet?
• Have they decided on the wedding date yet?

We can also use yet in a more formal style to talk about something that is still possible in the future.

Examples:

• We might yet be able to make a deal with them.
• Things could yet improve in the company.

In this use, yet means something like still or in the end.

Still

We use still to say that something is continuing and has not stopped.

It usually goes before the main verb, but after the verb be.

Examples:

• Tom is still thinking about moving to Corsica.
• They are still not sure whether to continue with the project.
• I still remember our first meeting.
• She is still angry with him.

We can also use still with modal verbs to show that something remains possible.

Examples:

• We can still catch the 5:15 train.
• I could still make it up to you.
• She may still change her mind.

Compare:

• He is still working. = the action continues.
• He does not work any more. = the action has stopped.

For

We use for to talk about a period of time — in other words, how long something happens or has happened.

Examples:

• I have been waiting for two hours.
• Lorna has been studying English for five years.
• We have lived here for twenty years.
• He was in hospital for a week.

So, for answers the question:

How long?

More examples:

• They talked for ages.
• I have not seen her for months.

Since

We use since to talk about the starting point of an action or situation.

Examples:

• I haven’t eaten anything since 8 o’clock.
• Bill has put on weight since he started working in that bakery.
• They have been married since 2012.
• She has lived in London since last summer.

So, since answers the question:

Since when?

More examples:

• We have known each other since childhood.
• It has been raining since this morning.

For and Since: What’s the difference?

This is one of the most common problems for learners, so let’s make it simple:

• Use for + a period of time
• Use since + a starting point

Compare:

• I have worked here for ten years.
• I have worked here since 2016.
• She has been tired for days.
• She has been tired since Monday.

A good trick is this:

• for = duration
• since = starting point

Common mistakes

1. Using since instead of for

❌ I have lived here since ten years.

✅ I have lived here for ten years.

2. Using for instead of since

❌ She has been here for Monday.

✅ She has been here since Monday.

3. Wrong position of still

❌ I am thinking still about it.

✅ I am still thinking about it.

4. Using yet in the wrong place

❌ I yet haven’t finished.

✅ I haven’t finished yet.

Quick summary

Let’s revise:

• later = after a time
• yet = up to now, mainly in negatives and questions
• still = continuing up to now
• for = a length of time
• since = a point in time when something started

Final thoughts

These time expressions are small, but they are extremely important in everyday English. If you learn how to use later, yet, still, for, and since correctly, your English will sound much more accurate and natural.

Try writing your own sentences with each one. That is often the best way to make grammar stick — much better than just staring at it and hoping for the best.

FAQ

What are adverbs of time in English?
Adverbs of time in English tell us when something happens, how long it happens, or whether it has happened up to now.

What is the difference between for and since?
We use for for a period of time and since for a starting point in time.

How is yet used in English?
Yet is usually used in negative sentences and questions, and it normally comes at the end of the sentence.

Where does still go in a sentence?
Still usually comes before the main verb, but after the verb be.

Related posts:

Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Continuous

Still, Yet, Already, Just

Time Expressions in English

Visit our bookshop for more