Using Time Expressions and Tenses in English

Here is a quick overview of time expressions used with specific tenses including examples and explanations. Days of the Week Days of the week can be used with most tenses in English.  Notice that all days of the week are capitalized: MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday Examples: Ill see you next Sunday.We had a meeting last Thursday.Jennifer has her programming course on Wednesday. When speaking about an action that is repeated EVERY Saturday, Monday, etc., use the day of the week, add s and use either the present simple to speak about present routines or the past simple to discuss past habits. Do not use with the continuous, perfect, or perfect continuous forms.   MondaysTuesdaysWednesdaysThursdaysFridaysSaturdaysSundays Examples:   We have our class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I used to play tennis on Saturdays. The Weekend British English: at the weekend OR at weekends (in general)American English: on the weekend  OR on weekends (in general) Use the present simple to speak about habits on the weekend. On the weekend is also used with the future and past ​tenses to speak about the next or last weekend. I play tennis at weekends.She visits her mother on the weekend.Were going to the beach on the weekend. (next weekend)They visited Chicago on the weekend. (last weekend) Times of the Day Use the following time expressions to express things that happen during the day. These expressions can be used with the past, present, and future forms.   in the morningin the afternoonin the eveningat night Make sure to note that we say at night NOT in the night They do the cleaning in the morning.He goes to bed late at night.Well do the homework in the evening.She had a drink in the evening before she went to bed. Time Expressions to Use With the Present Simple Use every with segments of time such as every day, month, year, every two months, etc. She travels to Las Vegas every year.Jack tries to exercise every day. Here is how to use adverbs of frequency (usually, sometimes, often, etc.): They sometimes play golf.She rarely smokes. Time Expressions to Use With the Present Continuous Use now, at the moment, right now, or today with the present continuous to speak about what is happening at the present moment. Tom is watching TV now.Im working on the Smith project today.Jane is doing her homework at the moment. Time Expressions Often Used in the Past Use last when speaking about the previous week, month or year They went on holiday last month. Use yesterday when speaking about the previous day. Use the day before yesterday to speak about two days earlier.   I visited my best friend yesterday.They had math class the day before yesterday. Use ago when speaking about X days, weeks, months, years before. NOTE: ago follows the number of days, weeks, etc. We flew to Cleveland three weeks ago.The class started twenty minutes ago.   Use in  with specific years or months with past, present, and future tenses. She graduated in 1976.Well see each other in April.   Use when with a past time clause. I played tennis every day when I was a teenager. Time Expressions Used in the Future Use next to speak about the next week, month, or year. We are going to visit our friends in Chicago next week.Ill have some time off next month.   Use tomorrow for the next day. Hell be at the meeting tomorrow. Use in X weeks, days, years time with the future continuous to express what you will be doing at a specific time in the future. We will be swimming in a crystal blue sea in two weeks time. Use by (date) form with the future perfect to express what you will have done up to that point in time. I will have finished the report by April 15. Use by the time time clause with the future perfect to express what will have happened up to a specific action in the future. She will have bought a new home by the time he arrives.