Time Expressions!
How often do you use yesterday, tomorrow, next week, or simply just say the name of the day when talking about your plans or something you did? Quite a lot I imagine. It's the easiest and clearest way of making our plans understood. We do however have a set of expressions in English we can use to add variety to our English when talking about when we did / have done / are going to do something...
Usually after each expression we have to use a certain tense. Below you'll find some common expressions to incorporate into your English when talking about your plans and things you did, or do, in the present, past, or future.
Note: In all future examples I use going to. This is because 8 times out of 10 it is preferred and sounds more natural.
Past Time Expressions
The day before last / yesterday – past simple
The day before last I went to the zoo.
This time last year – past simple / past continuous
This time last year I was sitting on a beach in Spain.
A few days ago (3–4 days) – past simple
A few days ago I saw your mum in town.
Just the other day (2–3 days) – past simple
Just the other day I was in Forum Lviv.
The (that’s) just gone (the most recent day) – past simple
The Sunday just gone I went to the cinema.
Present Time Expressions
Nowadays – present simple
Nowadays I don't go to the gym.
These days – present simple
These days I like to go to the cinema two days a week.
Currently – present simple / present continuous
I'm currently volunteering at the local charity.
For the time being (temporary situation) – present continuous
For the time being I am staying in a hotel while I look for a flat.
Over the last few days* – present perfect / present perfect continuous
Over the last few days I have eaten out 3 days in a town.
Since* – present perfect / present perfect continuous
Since Monday I have been reading an interesting book.
Note: These plans were started in the past and continue into the present time.
Future Time Expressions
The day / week after next – going to
The day after next I'm going on holiday for 2 weeks.
From next week / next month – present simple / going to
From next month I'm going to join a gym.
This coming... – going to
This coming Thursday I'm going to the dentist.
In 2 days / 1 week / 3 months / 1 year – going to
In 2 weeks I'm going on holiday.
This time next year (prediction) – will
This time next year I'll probably still be writing these type of posts.
One day (unlikely or distant future plan) – will
One day I will go to Japan.