Full Understanding of Adverbs of Frequency: Definite Time, Indefinite Time, Specified Time, Unspecified Time, And Since / For
Frequency of time helps you express when, how long, and how often an action happens. These words act as adverbs of frequency, and they are essential for building accurate English sentences.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn Definite Time, Indefinite Time, Specified vs Unspecified Time, Since & For rules, and tons of real examples to understand each use clearly.
Frequency of time denotes changes in time and it shows how to describe a time in sentences. It can prove it by numbers or words. These all frequencies are Adverbs. Adverb denotes the time-frequency in sentences.
Table of Contents
- What Is Frequency of Time? (Simple Definition)
- Difference Between Specified vs. Unspecified Time (SUPER IMPORTANT for English)
- Frequently Asked Questions: Most Important
- Practice the Difference Between Adverbs of Frequency: Quick Tests for Strong Grammar Understanding
What Is Frequency of Time? (Simple Definition)
Frequency of time refers to the time-related adverbs that describe:
- When something happens
- How long it happens
- How often it happens
These frequencies are split into two types:
- Definite Time (clear, measurable, specified)
- Indefinite Time (unclear, general, unspecified)
What is Definite Time: Meaning, Rules, and Clear Examples
Definite time refers to a specific, clearly defined time that you can easily measure or point to. It includes dates, days, weeks, months, years, ages, and exact durations.
- When – Today, tomorrow, last year/week/month, now, then, tonight…
- How Long –
- For + hours / 2 hours / days / 4 months / years / a year / a long time / etc.
- since + I was young / Monday / 2000 / day one / all morning / last night / yesterday / January 21 / etc.
- How Often – Monthly, weekly, yearly, daily, nightly, annually, hourly, quarterly, twice, once, fortnightly…
Definite Time – WHEN Examples
Used when the time is clear and specific.
Examples:
- I will visit her today.
- They moved to Delhi last year.
- The show starts tonight.
- He called me yesterday evening.
- The train leaves at 6 AM.
- She met him last Friday.
- We will start next month.
Definite Time – HOW LONG Examples
Use for (period of time) and since (point in time). The specified time is for duration.
FOR – Period of Time (Specified)
- I have lived here for 5 years.
- She studied English for 2 hours.
- We stayed awake for the whole night.
- He has worked here for 10 years.
- They stayed here for the whole summer.
SINCE – Point in Time (Specified)
- I have known him since 2005.
- She has been sick since Monday.
- They have worked here since morning.
- I have known her since childhood.
Definite Time – HOW OFTEN Examples
Used when the frequency is measurable.
Examples:
- He goes to the gym daily.
- I pay rent monthly.
- The event happens fortnightly.
- She visits her grandparents twice a week.
- The class happens weekly.
- The festival occurs annually.
- I take medicine twice a day.
Indefinite Time: Meaning, Rules & Common Examples
Indefinite time refers to uncertain, general, or vague time expressions. You cannot measure or specify these times exactly. A time that you cannot define.
- When – Already, recently, soon, yet, still, finally, late, lately, later, next, since, before, early, earlier, eventually, first, just, last, previously…
- How Often – Always, regularly, usually, a lot, ever, constantly, frequently, infrequently, generally, seldom, sometimes, never, normally, occasionally, often, rarely…
Indefinite Time – WHEN Examples
Examples:
- I have already finished the work.
- She will come soon.
- They visited us recently.
- He hasn’t replied yet.
- She has finally changed her job.
- He will leave first.
- They have not arrived yet.
Indefinite Time – HOW OFTEN Examples
Examples:
- She always wakes up early.
- I rarely watch TV.
- They regularly eat together.
- He never drinks coffee.
- I usually sleep early.
- She often eats junk food.
- They sometimes play cricket.
These do not tell the exact number or time.
Difference Between Specified vs. Unspecified Time (SUPER IMPORTANT for English)
What Is Specified Time?
A time that is clear, exact, measurable, or known.
Used with:
- Point in time → since
- Period of time → for
Examples of Specified Time:
- Since morning
- Since 2000
- For 3 hours
- For two days
- Yesterday, last week, tomorrow
Sentence Examples:
- She has waited since morning.
- I lived in Japan for 4 years.
What Is Unspecified Time?
A time that is unclear, not measurable, or not exact.
Examples of Unspecified Time:
- Already, just, recently, yet, ever, never
- Often, sometimes, rarely, usually
Sentence Examples:
- I have already seen that movie.
- They have just arrived.
- She has never been to Delhi.
Unspecified time is commonly used with present perfect tense.
Frequently Asked Questions: Most Important
What is the difference between definite and indefinite time?
Definite time is clear and specific (today, last year, for 2 hours).
Indefinite time is unclear or general (already, often, recently).
When should I use “since”?
Use since with a point in time:
– since Monday
– since 2010
– since morning
When should I use “for”?
Use for with a duration or period of time:
– for a long time
– for 5 hours
– for two days
Is “always” definite or indefinite time?
“Always” is indefinite time because the exact number of times is unknown.
Can “when” be both definite and indefinite?
Yes.
– Indefinite: when = soon, recently
– Definite: when = today, tomorrow
How do I master the differences better of Adverbs of Frequency Time?
You should follow these steps:
1. Read the whole article on Adverb of Frequency Time.
2. Go through all examples and use them in real life.
3. Try to take all the English tests available.
4. Try to practice by making sentences yourself and reply in comment section. We will correct your mistakes and improve your skills.
Practice the Difference Between Adverbs of Frequency: Quick Tests for Strong Grammar Understanding
Beginner Friendly Exercise With Four Options Each
Practice the tense with these interactive quizzes: It has a balanced touch of basic to advanced questions. [The content will be here soon.]
- One: Exercise 1
- Two: Exercise 2
- Three: Exercise 3
- Four: Exercise 4
- Five: Exercise 5
- Six: Exercise 6
- Seven: Exercise 7
- Eight: Exercise 8
- Nine: Exercise 9
- Ten: Exercise 10
Fill In The Blanks Quiz: Learn English With Paragraphs
Slightly more difficult then above quiz, there you will fill the blanks in the paragraphs.
- One: Paragraph Exercise 1
- Two: Paragraph Exercise 2 [The content will be here soon.]
Story Time: Learn and Improve English With Story Tests
The most useful exercises in English, you will learn English by filling interesting story gaps. You will improve not only you English but also vocabulary. [The content will be here soon.]
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Practice in Comment Section: I assure our Team will correct your grammatical mistakes there. Also learn more about Adverbs: Click Here