Adverbs of time answer the question when? — they tell you the moment, the order, or the general timing of an action. Adverbs of place answer the question where? — they describe the location or direction.
Both types usually sit at the end of the sentence, after the verb and its object. This is their default, neutral position.
Time adverbs: point in time
The most common time adverbs name a specific moment — past, present, or future.
| PAST | PRESENT | FUTURE |
|---|---|---|
| yesterday | now | tomorrow |
| last week | today | tonight |
| last month | next week | |
| last year | next month |
These adverbs go at the end by default. Moving them to the front adds emphasis — it signals that the timing matters more than the action itself.
Both positions are correct. End position is neutral; front position draws attention to the time.
Already, still, yet, just
These four adverbs deserve special attention because they don't follow the default end position.
Already and just go before the main verb (but after be, have, or a modal).
Still goes before the main verb, just like already. It signals that a situation continues.
Yet goes at the end, but only in questions and negative sentences. It signals that something expected has not happened.
A quick summary of position:
| ADVERB | POSITION | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
| already | before main verb | She has already finished. |
| just | before main verb | I just saw him. |
| still | before main verb | He still works there. |
| yet | end of sentence | Have you eaten yet? |
Sequence and timing
When you describe events in order, use sequence adverbs.
The most useful ones: first, then, next, afterwards, finally.
Another group describes timing without naming an exact moment:
Recently and lately both mean "not long ago," but lately tends to describe situations that are still going on: I've been tired lately. Recently works for single events: I recently moved to Madrid.
Place adverbs
Place adverbs describe where something happens or where something moves. The most basic pair is here and there — here means close to the speaker, there means away from the speaker.
The -where group
These describe location without being specific about the exact spot.
Anywhere appears in questions and negative sentences, much like yet does for time.
Direction and position
Many place adverbs describe movement or a fixed location relative to something else.
Other common ones: inside, downstairs, home. Note that home works as an adverb without a preposition — you say go home, not go to home.
Position in the sentence
Both time and place adverbs most naturally appear at the end of a sentence.
When a sentence has both a place adverb and a time adverb, place comes before time.
The pattern is: verb + object + place + time.
Front position for emphasis
Any time or place adverb can move to the front of the sentence when you want to highlight it. This is natural and common, especially when setting a scene.
A comma after the adverb is optional but common when the adverb is a single word. With longer phrases like last Friday or on the second floor, a comma helps readability.
Common mistakes
Home without "to"
Yet in positive sentences
Still in the wrong position
Place and time in the wrong order
Here/there confused with this place/that place