time expressions

time expressions • I won’t be able to help you now (at present). • There’s a flight that leaves from or arrives at Heathrow International every 30 seconds. • You need to buy tickets in advance of (before) the concert date. • The package should arrive within a fortnight (two weeks). It could arrive earlier. • The package should arrive in a fortnight (in two weeks). It will arrive exactly two weeks from now.

He is no longer working here. He isn’t working here any longer (any more). • There’ll be a bust strike until / till / from now to Wednesday. • I think we’ll arrive in time (with enough time) to hear the end of the concert. • We must get there on time, otherwise we’ll miss the concert. (at the right time) • I’m sorry she’s not in at the moment (now), could you call later?

Which preposition should you use? in on at Wednesday / the moment / lunch / winter the morning / Friday morning / Christmas / Christmas day / night / 15 April / 1998 the Easter holiday / that day / three o’clock / the 21st century / the second semester

Which preposition should you use? in on at winter Wednesday the moment the Easter holiday Friday morning lunch 1998 15 April Christmas the 21st century that day night the second semester Christmas day three o’clock

in time or on time? • If the plane is late we won’t get to Paris ___ for the connecting flight. • We were up very early, ___ to see the sun rise. • How can the buses run ___ with all this traffic? • The post goes at five. I hope to get this letter written ___. • The train will be here at 12.34. If it’s ___

in time or on time? • If the plane is late we won’t get to Paris on time for the connecting flight. • We were up very early, in time to see the sun rise. • How can the buses run on time with all this traffic? • The post goes at five. I hope to get this letter written in time. • The train will be here at 12.34. If it’s on time.

for, since or ago? • I got here an hour ___. What! You’ve been waiting ___ an hour? • The phone last rang at four o’clock. So you’ve had no calls ___ three o’clock. • She hasn’t been to the dentist ___ 5 years. • It hasn’t rained ___ July. • It’s eight months ___ my brother lost his job. • Mr Mills was taken ill three weeks ___.

for, since or ago? • I got here an hour ago. What! You’ve been waiting for an hour? • The phone last rang at four o’clock. So you’ve had no calls since three o’clock. • She hasn’t been to the dentist for 5 years. • It hasn’t rained since July. • It’s eight months since my brother lost his job. • Mr Mills was taken ill three weeks ago.

during or while? • Did you take notes ___ the lecture? • Shall we have a coffee ___ you’re waiting? • Try not to make any noise ___ the baby is sleeping. • The fire alarm rang ___ the meeting. • Trevor tried to fix the car ___ Sara was out shopping.

during or while? • Did you take notes during the lecture? • Shall we have a coffee while you’re waiting? • Try not to make any noise while the baby is sleeping. • The fire alarm rang during the meeting. • Trevor tried to fix the car while Sara was out shopping.

by or until (till)? Mr Lewis: You’ll need to hand you project in ___ the end of the week. Ideally, I’d like to have it ___ Thursday. Rachel: Well, I’m going on a three-day study trip tomorrow. I’ll be away ___ Thursday. The project will probably take me ___ middle of next week. So I can’t finish it ___ the end of this week.

by or until (till)? Mr Lewis: You’ll need to hand you project in by the end of the week. Ideally, I’d like to have it by Friday. Rachel: Well, I’m going on a three-day study trip tomorrow. I’ll be away until Thursday. The project will probably take me until middle of next week. So I can’t finish it by the end of this week.

time expressions