30 Time Expressions in English

Hello, English learners. Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we will look at 30 time expressions in English that indicate when the action happens and how long it lasts.

Time expression	Meaning	Example sentence
From … to	indicates the start point and end point of a period.	Today’s meeting is from* 5 pm to 6 pm*.
Since	shows the starting point of an action with the present perfect.	Sara has been working for this company since* 2020.*
For	shows how long the action lasts.	Tom has been writing a blog post for* two hours.*
Until	shows an end point of an action or situation. Time expressions in English	We will wait until* Rebecca arrives and then we’ll have dinner.*
By	indicates a deadline or a specific time by which something is expected to be done.	They want us to finish the report by 5 o’clock.
During	shows a period within which something happens.	We stayed at the hotel during* the conference.*
Throughout	indicates something happening continuously during a time period.	It was raining throughout* the night.*
Over	refers to a period during which something happens.	Wesley worked on a report over* the weekend.*
Within	shows a period of time in which something happens. Time expressions in English	You will receive a response within* the next two days.*
In	indicates a period of time within which something happens.	I’ll be back home in two hours.
At	refers to a specific time.	I’ll be at the office at 5.30.
On	refers to a specific day or date.	The parcel is supposed to arrive on Wednesday.
All day	indicates the entire day.	Terry has been working all day.
All night	indicates the entire night.	It had been snowing all night.
All week	indicates the entire week.	Laura was studying for her final exam all week.
All month	indicates the entire month.	They stayed at their friends’ beach house all month.
All year	indicates the entire year.	Peter has been waiting for that moment all year.
For a while	indicates a not specified period. Time expressions in English	We’ve been walking for a while* and then went for dinner.*
For ages	Refers to a very long period of time.	Clare and Darren have known each other for ages.
For a short time	Indicates a short period of time.	Ryan felt slightly sad for a short time* and then went to a pub to cheer himself up.*
For a long time	Indicates a long period of time.	Fiona was sitting for a long time* without saying a word.*
For the time being	Shows a temporary period around now.	We shall put his discussion aside for the time being.
For the foreseeable future	a period that can be predicted.	The painting will remain at the gallery for the foreseeable future.
For the next	refers to the upcoming period.	Robert will be away for the next* two days.*
For the past	refers to the previous period.	David has been in hospital for the past* three days.*
For the entire	refers to the whole time period.	We’ve been travelling for the entire* week.*
For the whole	refers to the complete time period.	We’ve lived in the cottage in the woods for the whole winter.
For the rest	refers to the remaining time period.	They didn’t talk to each other for the rest* of the day.*
For the remainder of	refers to the remaining period. Time expressions in English	The oil price is expected to be stable for the remainder* of the month.*
For the duration	indicates the entire time period.	George was asleep for the duration* of the film.*

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Time expressions in English

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30 Time Expressions in English

Published by My Lingua Academy on 28 Nov 2024