Adverbs of time. Interactive worksheet | TopWorksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve each part of this worksheet step by step and explain the solutions.

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1. Circle: the word that tells when something happens.

We need to circle the adverb of time in each sentence — these are words that tell when an action occurs.

a) I woke up earlier.
→ earlier (tells when – before now)

b) They will be here later.
→ later (tells when – after now)

c) We should be home soon.
→ soon (tells when – not long from now)

d) I am going to the movies tomorrow.
→ tomorrow (tells when – the day after today)

e) I immediately took him to the doctor.
→ immediately (tells when – right away, without delay)

f) He sometimes forgets to eat breakfast.
→ sometimes (tells how often – not always, but occasionally)

✔ Answer: Circle:
a) earlier
b) later
c) soon
d) tomorrow
e) immediately
f) sometimes

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2. Match the words that are opposite in meaning.

We have two columns of adverbs of time. Let’s find their opposites:

Words:
- earlier
- always
- after
- last
- often
- first
- later
- sometimes
- never
- before

Now match opposites:

- earlier ↔ later
- always ↔ never
- after ↔ before
- last ↔ first
- often ↔ sometimes (Note: "sometimes" is less frequent than "often", so they’re not exact opposites, but in this context, it’s likely intended as a contrast in frequency.)

But let’s check carefully:

- always → opposite is never ✔
- often → opposite is rarely or never, but we don’t have “rarely”, so sometimes is the closest opposite in frequency (not absolute).
- sometimes → opposite would be never or always, but again, only never is present. However, since “sometimes” means *occasionally*, its opposite could be never or always depending on context. But here, likely:
- often ↔ sometimes (as contrasting frequencies)
- always ↔ never
- earlier ↔ later
- after ↔ before
- last ↔ first

So best matches:

- earlier ↔ later
- always ↔ never
- after ↔ before
- last ↔ first
- often ↔ sometimes

✔ Answer:

| Word | Opposite |
|------------|---------|
| earlier | later |
| always | never |
| after | before |
| last | first |
| often | sometimes |

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3. Fill in the adverbs.

Use: usually, before, never, tomorrow, sometimes, always

a) I am going to my friend's house ________.
→ This is about future time. Best fit: tomorrow
✔ tomorrow

b) I have been there many times ________.
→ "Many times" suggests repetition, so we need a frequency adverb.
“Always” = every time → too strong.
“Usually” = most of the time → fits well.
“Sometimes” = occasionally → weaker.
But “many times” implies repeated visits, so usually makes sense if you go regularly.
Alternatively, “before” could work:
"I have been there many times before." → this is correct and natural.

✔ before

c) It's the best! We ________ have lots of fun.
→ We want to say it’s always enjoyable.
Best fit: always
✔ always

d) ________ we go to the park, but we stay in his backyard.
→ This is a contrast: we usually go to the park, but sometimes we stay in the backyard.
So: usually
✔ usually

e) When we are together, we ________ get bored!
→ We enjoy being together → don’t get bored. So: never
✔ never

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✔ Final Answers:

#### 1. Circle the adverb of time:
a) earlier
b) later
c) soon
d) tomorrow
e) immediately
f) sometimes

#### 2. Match opposites:
- earlier ↔ later
- always ↔ never
- after ↔ before
- last ↔ first
- often ↔ sometimes

#### 3. Fill in the blanks:
a) I am going to my friend's house tomorrow.
b) I have been there many times before.
c) It's the best! We always have lots of fun.
d) Usually we go to the park, but we stay in his backyard.
e) When we are together, we never get bored!

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✔ Explanation Summary:
- Adverbs of time answer questions like *when?*, *how often?*, *for how long?*
- In part 1, we identified the word that shows timing.
- In part 2, we matched antonyms based on time/frequency.
- In part 3, we used context to choose the most logical adverb from the list.

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