Languages › English as a Second Language Time Expression Quiz Do you know which time expression fits? Aztec Calendar. Blend Images - PBNJ Productions / Getty Images English as a Second Language Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 06, 2017 1. _______ we get to the meeting, the presentation will have started. As soon as By the time Whenever Until Correct Wrong Use 'by the time' with the future perfect to speak about what will happen from the present moment up to a point of time in the future. 2. Does he remember what he was doing _______? at the time usually every day the time Correct Wrong Use 'at the time' can be used instead of 'when' with the past continuous to indicate a precise moment in the past. 3. It's ages _______ I played golf. ago for since when Correct Wrong 'Since' is used as a subordinating conjunction with the past simple to express a beginning point in time. 4. Tom's ______ popped out for a moment. He'll be back soon. yet since already just Correct Wrong Use 'already' with the present perfect to express that something has happened at some time before the present moment. 5. ________, we'll have to bite the bullet and buy a new car. Once Eventually Now By the time Correct Wrong 'Eventually' is a conjunctive adverb or linking word that connects one idea to the next meaning 'in the end'. 6. ________ he hasn't managed to find a new job. By now So far To now Until Correct Wrong 'So far' is used with the present perfect to express what has happened up to the present moment in time. 7. Jack's _______ complaining about his boss. He should find a new job. sometimes always every time usually Correct Wrong Although adverbs of frequency are not usually used with the continuous, 'always' and 'continually' can be used with the present continuous to stress that the action repeatedly happens. 8. Janet hasn't been feeling well ______. of late still already until now Correct Wrong 'Of late' is synonymous with 'lately' and means during the last few weeks or days. 9. My grandmother doesn't get out much _________. day by day recently nowadays already Correct Wrong 'Nowadays' refers to a relatively long period around the present moment in time. 10. Janus shopping mall opens _______. last week now next week to now Correct Wrong It's possible to use the present simple to express a scheduled future event such as the departure of a train or the opening of a store. 11. John will have finished the report _______ at the moment. by next Monday. on Sundays. for I arrive. Correct Wrong Use 'by' to express that something will happen before a future moment in time. 12. I used to play tennis _________. last week. when I was a teenager. two months ago. since 1998. Correct Wrong Use 'used to do' to express something that was a habit in the past. 13. ___________, she had already left for the airport. By the time I arrived As soon as I arrived After I arrived During my arrival Correct Wrong 'By the time' can be used with the past simple to express the time before which something had happened. 14. I began using a computer ________. ten years ago. since 1996. for fifteen years. sometimes. Correct Wrong Use 'ago' to indicate a specific amount of time in the past such as: four weeks ago, three hours ago, etc. 15. I'll be sitting on the beach _________. by 2007 three times this year this time next week sometimes Correct Wrong The phrase 'this time next (week, month, year)' is used with the future continuous to express what will be happening at a specific future moment. Time Expression Quiz You got: % Correct. You Know Your Time Expressions! You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images You've obviously studied the use of time expressions in detail. Congratulations! Remember to always first check a time expression before choosing your tense. Continue studying English and you'll be fluent in no time. Share Your Results Time Expression Quiz You got: % Correct. Good Job, but You Can Do Better! You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images Good job on the time expression quiz. However, you can do even better. Remember that knowing time expressions will help you choose your tense. For example, if you are taking a quiz on tenses, first look for a time expression. Once you know the time expression, then decide which tense to use. Share Your Results Time Expression Quiz You got: % Correct. You'll Need to Review Time Expressions Keep working on your studies.. Frank and Helena / Cultura / Getty Images You'll need to study time expressions more carefully. It's important to learn that time expressions take specific tenses in English. Learn which tense goes with which time expression and your English accuracy will improve. Share Your Results