Time Order Words: Useful List of 68 Time Order Words in English

Time order words are important tools in writing that help readers understand the sequence of events. They are used to signal the order in which events happen, allowing readers to follow the flow of the story or information presented. Time order words can be found in both academic and creative writing, and they are essential to ensure clear communication.

Whether you are writing an essay, a novel, or a report, using time order words can help you communicate your ideas effectively. They provide a structure for your writing and help you stay on track. In the following sections, we will explore the different types of time order words and how they can be used to improve your writing.

Time Order Words

What Are Time Order Words?

Time order words are words or phrases that indicate the sequence of events in a story or a text. They help the reader understand the order of events and how they relate to each other. Some common time order words include “first,” “next,” “then,” “after,” and “finally.”

Time Order Words

Using time order words can make your writing more organized and easier to understand. They can also help you avoid confusion and ensure that your readers are following along with your story or argument.

List of Time Order Words

These are time-order transition words in English you should know…

Before

  • Earlier
  • Formerly
  • In the past
  • Not long ago
  • Once
  • Preceding
  • Previously
  • Prior to
  • Up until that time
  • Yesterday

First

  • At first
  • At the beginning
  • At the onset
  • Before
  • Commence
  • Embark
  • From this point
  • In the first place
  • Starting with
  • To begin

Next

  • After
  • After a few days
  • After a while
  • After that
  • As soon as
  • Consequently
  • Following
  • Henceforth
  • In time
  • In turn
  • Later
  • Momentarily
  • Not long after
  • Right after
  • Second
  • Third
  • Shortly
  • Since
  • Soon
  • Soon after
  • Then
  • Tomorrow
  • When
  • Presently
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Sometimes

  • At times
  • From time to time
  • Gradually
  • Occasionally
  • Periodically
  • Rarely
  • Seldom
  • Some of the time

Last

  • Afterward
  • At last
  • At the end
  • Eventually
  • Final
  • Finally
  • Hereafter
  • In conclusion
  • In the end
  • Last of all
  • Later on
  • Thereafter
  • To conclude
  • To finish
  • Until

Time Order Words Examples

  • In the past, the exam had been overemphasized.
  • He was cross at first, but later he relented.
  • The general had served as a soldier in the earlier war.
  • Smocks were formerly worn by farm workers.
  • We’re going to Japan at the beginning of July.
  • Franco began to prepare the ground, starting with the Falange.
  • Henceforth I expect you to be punctual for the meeting.
  • She started to sing, and then the others chimed in.
  • After a while, we naturally started talking about the children.
  • I like to buy myself little luxuries from time to time.
  • Let’s go to the theatre first and eat afterward.
  • To conclude, I’d like to express my thanks to my family.
  • To begin with, I don’t like his attitude.
  • Not long ago I had read that each atom was a sort of solar system.
  • As soon as we can afford it, we’ll move out to the suburbs.
  • Periodically, Congress has made half-hearted attempts at finance reform.
  • Eventually, Roberto backed down and apologized.
  • Presently, a young woman in a white coat came in.
  • From this point, we can apply our usual analysis.

Types of Time Order Words

Time order words are essential for creating a clear and organized flow of ideas in both writing and speech. They help the reader or listener understand the sequence of events, the duration of an action, and the frequency of an occurrence.

Sequential

Sequential time order words are used to indicate the order in which events occurred. They are essential in creating a clear and organized flow of ideas. Some common examples of sequential time order words include “first,” “second,” “third,” “next,” “then,” and “finally.” These words are often used in narratives, instructions, and historical accounts.

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Frequency

Frequency time order words are used to indicate how often an event occurs. These words are essential in creating a clear understanding of how often something happens. Some common examples of frequency time order words include “always,” “often,” “sometimes,” “rarely,” and “never.” These words are often used in descriptions, narratives, and scientific reports.

Duration

Duration time order words are used to indicate the length of time an event occurs. These words are essential in creating a clear understanding of the length of time something happened. Some common examples of duration time order words include “briefly,” “momentarily,” “temporarily,” “permanently,” and “forever.” These words are often used in descriptions, narratives, and scientific reports.

Using Time Order Words

In Writing

When writing, time order words help us to organize our thoughts and ideas in a logical and coherent manner. They allow us to convey the sequence of events to the reader in a clear and concise way. Some of the commonly used time order words in writing include “first”, “next”, “then”, “after that”, and “finally”.

To make our writing more effective, we can use tables, lists, bold, italic, and other formatting techniques to highlight the time order words and make them stand out. For example, we can use bullet points to list the events in order and use bold or italic to emphasize the time order words.

In Speech

In speech, time order words help us to organize our thoughts and ideas in a way that is easy for the listener to follow. They allow us to convey the sequence of events in a clear and concise way. Some of the commonly used time order words in speech include “first”, “next”, “then”, “after that”, and “finally”.

To make our speech more effective, we can use pauses and intonation to emphasize the time order words and make them stand out. For example, we can pause slightly before and after the time order words to draw attention to them and indicate to the listener that a new event is about to be described.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common time order signal words?

Time order signal words are words that indicate the order of events or the sequence in which they occurred. Some common time order signal words include first, then, next, later, finally, before, after, and meanwhile.

What is the purpose of using time order words in writing?

Using time order words in writing helps to organize ideas and make them easier to understand. They help the reader to follow the sequence of events and to see how one event leads to another.

How can time order words be used to organize a paragraph?

Time order words can be used to organize a paragraph by placing events in chronological order. This helps to create a clear and logical flow of ideas. For example, if you are writing a paragraph about how to bake a cake, you might use time order words such as first, then, and finally to describe the steps in the process.

What are some examples of time-order text types?

Some examples of time order text types include narratives, biographies, historical accounts, and procedural texts. These types of texts often use time order words to describe events in chronological order.

What is the difference between time order and sequence?

Time order refers to the chronological order of events, while sequence refers to the order in which events occur. Time order is a specific type of sequence that is based on time.

What are some effective activities for teaching time order words?

Effective activities for teaching time-order words include reading stories that use time-order words, creating timelines of historical events, and asking students to write paragraphs or essays that use time-order words to describe a sequence of events.

Last Updated on November 27, 2023

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