Time expressions in English
There are many words and expressions to refer to time. You can use these to sequence events and to make stories and anecdotes more interesting.
The present – permanent
Use the present simple tense to refer to permanent situations in the present.
I now live in a small town.
Nowadays I live in a small town.
These days, I don't have much of a social life.
The present – temporary
Use the present continuous tense to refer to temporary situations in the present.
At present / At the moment I'm living in a small town.
For the time being I'm living in a small town, but I hope to move soon.
Talking about a period of time in the past
My mother started work as a nurse in the 1960s.
In those days she lived in London.
Back then nurses were badly paid.
At that time, nurses lived in special accommodation.
Talking about a single event in the past
At one time she lost her door key and had to stay in a hotel.
On one occasion she nursed the son of a famous politician.
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