Time & Frequency
Words for talking about when, how often, and the passage of time
Overview
25 essential words for discussing time, frequency, and duration — crucial for everyday conversations about schedules and routines.
Words
also /ˈɔːlsəʊ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: in addition; too
Examples:
- She speaks French and also German.
- I also want to visit the museum.
Collocations: also known as, but also, also available
always /ˈɔːlweɪz/
adverb — A1
Meaning: at all times; every time
Examples:
- She always arrives on time.
- I always have coffee in the morning.
Collocations: always remember, not always, almost always
become /bɪˈkʌm/
verb — A1
Meaning: to begin to be something; to grow or develop into
Examples:
- She wants to become a doctor.
- The weather became colder in November.
Collocations: become aware, become clear, become popular
Word Family: become (v.) → becoming (adj.)
before /bɪˈfɔːr/
preposition, conjunction, adverb — A1
Meaning: at an earlier time than; previously
Examples:
- Wash your hands before dinner.
- I’ve never seen this before.
Collocations: before long, before and after, the day before
begin /bɪˈɡɪn/
verb — A1
Meaning: to start doing something; to start to happen
Examples:
- The movie begins at 8 p.m.
- She began learning English last year.
Collocations: begin to, begin with, begin by
Word Family: begin (v.) → beginning (n.) → beginner (n.)
beginning /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
noun — A1
Meaning: the first part of something; the start
Examples:
- Let’s read from the beginning.
- At the beginning of the year, I made some plans.
Collocations: at the beginning, from the beginning, the beginning of
both /bəʊθ/
determiner, pronoun — A1
Meaning: the two; the one and the other
Examples:
- Both my parents are teachers.
- I like both tea and coffee.
Collocations: both … and, both of, both sides
during /ˈdjʊərɪŋ/
preposition — A1
Meaning: all through a period of time; at some point in a period
Examples:
- It rained during the night.
- Don’t use your phone during class.
Collocations: during the day, during the week, during the summer
end /end/
noun, verb — A1
Meaning: (n.) the final part; (v.) to finish
Examples:
- We walked to the end of the road.
- The concert ended at 11 p.m.
Collocations: at the end, in the end, end up, come to an end
Word Family: end (n./v.) → ending (n.) → endless (adj.)
every /ˈevri/
determiner — A1
Meaning: each one of a group; all
Examples:
- I go to the gym every day.
- Every student must take the test.
Collocations: every day, every time, every year, every other
just /dʒʌst/
adverb — A1
Meaning: only; exactly; a very short time ago
Examples:
- It’s just five minutes away.
- I’ve just finished my homework.
Collocations: just now, just about, just in case, just like
last /lɑːst/
adjective, adverb, verb — A1
Meaning: (adj.) most recent; final; (v.) to continue for a time
Examples:
- I saw her last week.
- The movie lasted two hours.
Collocations: last night, last year, at last, last time
never /ˈnevər/
adverb — A1
Meaning: at no time; not ever
Examples:
- I’ve never been to Australia.
- She never eats fast food.
Collocations: never mind, never again, never before
next /nekst/
adjective, adverb — A1
Meaning: coming immediately after the present one
Examples:
- See you next Monday.
- What should we do next?
Collocations: next to, next week, next time, next door
now /naʊ/
adverb — A1
Meaning: at the present time; immediately
Examples:
- I’m busy right now.
- We need to leave now.
Collocations: right now, from now on, just now, by now
often /ˈɒfn/
adverb — A1
Meaning: many times; frequently
Examples:
- How often do you exercise?
- We often go to that restaurant.
Collocations: how often, quite often, more often, very often
only /ˈəʊnli/
adjective, adverb — A1
Meaning: not more than; sole; single
Examples:
- She’s only five years old.
- He’s the only person who knows.
Collocations: only if, only one, not only, the only way
sometimes /ˈsʌmtaɪmz/
adverb — A1
Meaning: on some occasions but not always
Examples:
- I sometimes walk to work.
- Sometimes it’s hard to decide.
Collocations: sometimes … sometimes, sometimes called
soon /suːn/
adverb — A1
Meaning: in a short time from now; quickly
Examples:
- I’ll be there soon.
- See you soon!
Collocations: as soon as, quite soon, very soon, sooner or later
still /stɪl/
adverb — A1
Meaning: continuing to happen; even now
Examples:
- Are you still working?
- She still lives with her parents.
Collocations: still life, still here, still waiting
then /ðen/
adverb — A1
Meaning: at that time; after that; next
Examples:
- I was young then.
- First, wash the vegetables. Then, cut them.
Collocations: since then, and then, by then, now and then
today /təˈdeɪ/
adverb, noun — A1
Meaning: on this day; the present time
Examples:
- What are you doing today?
- Today is my birthday.
Collocations: today’s news, earlier today, from today
too /tuː/
adverb — A1
Meaning: more than is needed; also
Examples:
- This coffee is too hot.
- I want to come too.
Collocations: too much, too many, too late, me too
usually /ˈjuːʒuəli/
adverb — A1
Meaning: in the way that is normal or most common
Examples:
- I usually get up at 7.
- She usually takes the bus to work.
Collocations: more than usually, not usually
Word Family: usually (adv.) → usual (adj.) → unusual (adj.)
yet /jet/
adverb — A1
Meaning: until now; up to this time (used in negatives and questions)
Examples:
- Have you finished yet?
- I haven’t eaten yet.
Collocations: not yet, yet another, as yet
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| also | adv. | in addition |
| always | adv. | at all times |
| become | v. | to begin to be |
| before | prep./conj. | at an earlier time |
| begin | v. | to start |
| beginning | n. | the first part |
| both | det./pron. | the two |
| during | prep. | all through a period |
| end | n./v. | final part; to finish |
| every | det. | each one |
| just | adv. | only; exactly; recently |
| last | adj./v. | most recent; to continue |
| never | adv. | at no time |
| next | adj./adv. | coming after |
| now | adv. | at present |
| often | adv. | frequently |
| only | adj./adv. | not more than |
| sometimes | adv. | on some occasions |
| soon | adv. | in a short time |
| still | adv. | continuing |
| then | adv. | at that time; after |
| today | adv./n. | on this day |
| too | adv. | also; excessively |
| usually | adv. | normally |
| yet | adv. | until now |