Time Expressions – Examples & Exercises
For example sentences, please go to the bottom of the page.
When you have finished studying the examples, try the exercise that follows.
Time Expressions –Exercises
Instructions: Complete the exercise below by placing one of the words provided in the sentences that follow.
You will have to change the tense of the verbs in order to arrive at the correct answers.
finish / start / eat / pay / speak / stop / realise / be / get / go
The answers are provided after the last question.
(1) It’s about time you __________ less. You are getting fat!
(2) It’s high time you __________ more respectful to your parents.
(3) It’s high time we __________ back to our house.
(4) It’s about time you __________ to exercise.
(5) It’s time you __________ to your mother about your boyfriend.
(6) It’s high time you __________ more exercise.
(7) It’s time you __________ a visit to the dentist.
(8) It’s about time we __________ that we won’t be able to finish the job by the deadline.
(9) It’s about time you __________ getting so angry about small things.
(10) It’s time you __________ writing your thesis.
Answers to the exercises
(1) ate
(2) were
(3) went
(4) started
(5) spoke
(6) got
(7) paid
(8) realised
(9) stopped
(10) finished
How to Use Time Expressions
Important Grammar Rule:
When you use one of the time phrases in a sentence, your main verb needs to be in the past simple tense.
Example sentences:
Note that these time phrases are used in colloquial English.
These phrases are very seldom used in formal academic writing.
Example: It’s high time you told your parents that you failed your exams.
In the preceding sentence, the main verb is tell.
The verb form needs to be the past simple tense (told).
Example: It’s about time the government lowered tax rates.
Notice the past simple verb: lowered
Time Expressions – Further Activities
Longman Dictionary – Time Expression Exercises
