Vocabulary Focus

Key Words of the Past

Master the time expressions: Yesterday, Last, Ago, and In.

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The Big Four

Yesterday

The day before today

Used for the immediate past day. Can be combined with morning/evening.

  • I saw him yesterday at the park.
  • We met yesterday morning for coffee.
  • It rained heavily yesterday afternoon.
  • They finally arrived yesterday evening.

Last

Previous period

Used with a specific time period (week, month, year, night).

  • She arrived home late last night.
  • We went to Italy last year.
  • I visited my grandparents last week.
  • He bought a new car last month.

Ago

Back from now

Always goes at the END of the time phrase.

  • They left on vacation two days ago.
  • The accident happened a long time ago.
  • I started cooking five minutes ago.
  • We moved to this city ten years ago.

In

Specific Year/Month

Used with years, centuries, and months (when speaking generally).

  • My brother was born in 1999.
  • We met at the beach in July.
  • This old house was built in the 19th century.
  • School started in September.

The "Ago" Machine

Enter a past year to see how we use "ago" relative to today.

The Time Sorter

Look at the phrase and choose the missing keyword.

Complete the phrase
___ night

Key Words Quiz

Question 1/10

Score: 0

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