Linking Words for Time

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Linking Words for Time

First(ly), Second(ly), Third(ly),…; Next, Then

Meaning: These expressions are used to show the structure of what we are saying.

For example:

Firstly, we don’t have money. Secondly, we have a lot of things to do. And finally, India is not a safe place to travel.

Afterward/ afterwards

Meaning: at a later or future time; subsequently.

For example:

We had tea, and afterwards we sat in the garden for a while.

To begin with

Meaning: You use to begin with to introduce the first of several things that you want to say.

For example:

To begin with, I want to say thank you to all of you who are attending the lecture this morning.

In the Beginning

At the beginning (of)

In the beginning, he did not know where he was!

At the bginning of the show, the audience cheered.

Before-Until-After

'before' indicates doing something prior to another.

Whereas, 'until' indicates doing/not doing something up to a certain time.

'after' indicated doing something later than a certain time/event

Hardly

Hardly had/than- No sooner had/than

I hardly ever go to concerts. (rearly)

Hardly had I started working on the computer than the electricity was gone (The second event occurs immediately after the first one)

As soon as

Meaning: As soon as is a conjunction. You use as soon as to say that something will happen immediately after something else has happened.

For example:

I’ll tell you where he is as soon as I can.

In the meantime

Meaning: In the time before something else finishes or is supposed to happen.

For example:

We’ll soon send you the information about the scholarship, in the meantime, visit our website to keep yourself updated.

Meanwhile

Meaning: in the intervening period of time, at the same time.

For example:

Cook for a further half hour; meanwhile, make the stuffing

Eventually

Meaning: In the end, after a long time and a lot of effort, problem.

For example:

Eventually, she got a job and moved to Paris.

Finally, Lastly

Meaning: Use it the final item in a list.  

For example

Lastly, I’d like to thank everyone for coming this evening.

Finally, At last

when there's a delay, or something has gone on for a long time.

For example:

We stood there for 2 hours waiting for him! At last, he showed up!

At the same time

Meaning: If two or more things exist, happen, or are true at the same time, they exist, happen, or are true together although they seem to contradict each other.

For example:

Traveling will cost you a lot of money. At the same time, I think it’s something we should definitely experience at least once in our life.

Sooner or later

Meaning: Used to say that you do not know exactly when something will happen, but you are certain that it will happen.

For example:

Sooner or later she will realize what she has been doing is wrong.

During V.S. While

We use while + clause (subject + verb)

(I fell asleep during the film.)

and we use during + noun. 

(I fell asleep while I was watching the film)

Last but not least

You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others.

For example:

Last but not least, I’d like to thank all of you who have always supported me and given me a lot of feedback on my first book.

All of a sudden

Meaning: If something happens all of a sudden , it happens quickly and unexpectedly.

For example:

Yesterday when I was walking in the woods, all of a sudden, it started to rain heavily.