Time and frequency
Since and for, already and yet, by and until: how English marks when.
already vs yet
Already marks an action as completed sooner than anticipated, while yet indicates an action is expected but has not happened by the present moment.
something happened earlier than expected
I have already finished the report even though the deadline is tomorrow.
up to now, in questions/negatives
The manager has not signed the contract yet, so we cannot start.
-
Have you yet seen the new movie?
Have you already seen the new movie?
-
I haven't already finished my homework.
I haven't finished my homework yet.
Remember Already is for 'done'; yet is for 'waiting'.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The train has left the station, so we missed our connection.
- 2.
Have you received the confirmation email from the hotel ?
still vs yet
Still describes a situation that continues to exist; yet describes a situation that hasn't happened but is expected to.
something that continues without stopping
The rain is still falling even though the sun is starting to come out.
something expected that hasn't happened
The delivery driver hasn't arrived yet, but he should be here any minute.
-
Is it yet raining outside or has the storm finally passed?
Is it still raining outside or has the storm finally passed?
-
I have still not finished my homework for tomorrow's class.
I have not finished my homework for tomorrow's class yet.
Remember Still is for 'now'; yet is for 'not now, but soon'.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
He works at the same bank after twenty years of service.
- 2.
We haven't finished the monthly report because the data is late.
just vs already
Just marks an action that happened a moment ago, while already marks an action that happened earlier than expected.
Happened before now or surprisingly early.
We have already eaten lunch, so we are not hungry for a snack.
-
I have already arrived at the office two minutes ago.
I have just arrived at the office two minutes ago.
-
Is it only noon? You have just finished all your work!
Is it only noon? You have already finished all your work!
Remember Just is about 'when'; already is about 'so soon'.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The train left the station, so you might still see the tail lights.
- 2.
It is only ten o'clock but the store has sold out of bread.
ago vs before
Ago counts back from the present moment, while before relates one past event to an even earlier time.
Time measured back from the past.
She had finished the report two hours before the meeting started.
-
I graduated from university three years before.
I graduated from university three years ago.
-
He said he had met her two weeks ago.
He said he had met her two weeks before.
Remember Ago = back from now. Before = back from then.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
We moved to this neighborhood about five years .
- 2.
I had never seen such a beautiful sunset that trip.
during vs for
During marks the point in time when an event occurs; for measures the total length of time that event lasts.
Identifies the period when something happens.
We had to turn off our phones during the long flight to London.
Measures the duration of an action.
I lived in that small apartment for three years before moving.
-
I fell asleep for the movie because it was so boring.
I fell asleep during the movie because it was so boring.
-
We stayed in the hotel during three days.
We stayed in the hotel for three days.
Remember During = When. For = How long.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The power went out twice the storm last night.
- 2.
They waited at the station twenty minutes until the train arrived.
since vs from
Since marks the start of a period that continues until now, while from marks a starting point without implying the action is still happening.
a starting point continuing until now
I have worked at this design agency since I graduated from university.
a specific starting point in time
The new office hours will run from nine in the morning every day.
-
I am living in London from three years ago.
I have been living in London since three years ago.
-
The museum is open since nine o'clock every morning.
The museum is open from nine o'clock every morning.
Remember Since = Still happening. From = Fixed start.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The weather has been quite unpredictable the beginning of the month.
- 2.
We lived in that apartment two thousand ten until last summer.
at the end vs in the end
At the end marks a specific point in time or space, while in the end signals a final result or conclusion.
at the end
the final part of a period or place
We will review all the feedback at the end of the training session.
the final result after a process
They argued for hours but in the end they decided to stay home.
-
I will see you in the end of the month.
I will see you at the end of the month.
-
At the end, we decided not to buy the house.
In the end, we decided not to buy the house.
Remember At the end = a location. In the end = finally.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
The post office is located right of the main street.
- 2.
It was a difficult project but everything worked out well .
on time vs in time
On time means you are following a schedule; in time means you arrived before a deadline or a negative consequence.
Meeting a specific scheduled appointment.
The train arrived exactly on time despite the heavy snow last night.
Arriving before it is too late.
We reached the airport just in time to catch our flight home.
-
The doctor is very busy, so please make sure you arrive in time.
The doctor is very busy, so please make sure you arrive on time.
-
The ambulance didn't get to the scene on time to save him.
The ambulance didn't get to the scene in time to save him.
Remember On time = Punctual. In time = Early enough.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I need you to be for the meeting this afternoon.
- 2.
If we leave now, we will be for the opening.
at last vs lastly
At last signals relief after a long wait, while lastly marks the final item in a list.
relief after a long wait
The rain has stopped at last, so we can finally head outside for a walk.
the final point in a sequence
Lastly, I would like to thank the kitchen staff for this wonderful meal.
-
I have been waiting for two hours and lastly the bus arrived.
I have been waiting for two hours and at last the bus arrived.
-
At last, I want to remind everyone to sign the guest book.
Lastly, I want to remind everyone to sign the guest book.
Remember At last = Finally! Lastly = Item #3.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
I found my keys after searching the entire house for twenty minutes.
- 2.
We need eggs, milk, and , a bag of flour for the cake.
at last vs finally
At last expresses relief or impatience after a long delay, while finally marks the last item in a sequence or a result achieved through effort.
the last point or result
First, we visited the museum, then the park, and finally the cathedral.
-
The war is over finally, and the soldiers are coming home.
The war is over at last, and the soldiers are coming home.
-
I will at last present the three main reasons for this change.
I will finally present the three main reasons for this change.
Remember At last = Relief. Finally = The end of a list.
Fill the gap with one of the two options.
- 1.
, the bus arrived after we waited in the cold for an hour.
- 2.
She studied for months and passed her driving test on the third try.