An adverb of time adds temporal information.
The first thing we are going to do, before proceeding to determine the meaning of the term adverb of time , is to know where the two main words that compose it emanate from, etymologically speaking. Specifically, we have to present these data:
• Adverb is a word that emanates from the Latin adverbium , which is composed of two clearly delimited parts: the prefix ad- , which is equivalent to "towards", and the noun verbum , which can be translated as "word".
• Time, on the other hand, also comes from Latin. More precisely, it is the result of the evolution of the word tempus , which is synonymous with "time, moment or instant."
What is an adverb of time
Adverbs are the class of invariable words that modify adjectives , verbs or other adverbs, acting as the nucleus of the adverbial phrase or as a circumstantial complement of the verb.
Adverbs add circumstantial information to a sentence or word. Adverbs of time are those that add temporal information. These adverbs therefore provide data that allows us to answer a question about when an action was developed, is being developed or will be developed.
"Now", "before", "after", "today", "while", "soon", "late", "early" y "still" son algunos ejemplos de adverbios de tiempo.
However, the list of adverbs of this type is very extensive. In this way, it is also common to use others such as "last night" , "yesterday" , "the night before" , "yesterday" , "later" , "slowly" , "immediately" , "then" , "always" or " recently" .
"Now," "later," and "late" are examples of adverbs of time.
Some examples
The expression “I am now writing an email; as soon as I finish it, I will prepare the report" refers to an action that is taking place at the moment. The adverb of time "now" allows us to notice this.
"I used to work as an employee in a butcher shop," meanwhile, is a phrase that refers to a job that a person had in the past . If other adverbs of time are added, it is possible to mention past, present or even future issues in the same expression: "I used to work as an employee in a butcher shop but now I am a manager of a supermarket."
«Then I'm going to say hello to Martín», «Today I woke up with a headache», «While we walk through the center, we can look for the gift for Juana», "It's too early to know", "My boss challenged me for being late", "The movie starts early, so we can go to dinner afterwards." y "I'm still sad about what happened to Saul." son otras oraciones con adverbios de tiempo.
Adverbs of time according to region
In the same way, we must not overlook that there are some adverbs of time that are specific to specific countries, so they are not used outside their borders. In this sense, a clear example is the adverb "horita" , which is used very frequently in nations such as Mexico or Cuba .
Likewise, the same situation occurs with "enantes" , which is typical of Venezuela or Colombia, as well as with "until" , which has a special meaning in Ecuador and Mexico . In the latter case, we could clarify that it is used in phrases of this type: "The city cinema closes until twelve."
All this without forgetting that there are also adverbs of time that are considered vulgarisms, such as "endenantes" .