Time Expressions ESL Games, Worksheets and Activities
In this handy past time expressions worksheet, students practice time expressions with last, yesterday and ago. First, students underline past time expressions in questions and then ask and answer the questions with a partner. Next, students categorise time words and phrases according to the adverb they are used with. Students then add more time expressions of their own under each adverb. After that, students choose the correct past time expression to complete each sentence. Students then circle the odd word out and write why the word is different. Following that, students rewrite sentences using suitable past time expressions from a box. Students then complete time expressions in sentences with last, yesterday, or ago. Next, students complete four of the sentences with true information and four with false information. Finally, students take turns reading the sentences to their partner, who guesses whether they are true or false. For each correct guess, students put a tick. The student with the most correct guesses at the end of the game wins.
Here is an enjoyable time expressions activity to help students practice present simple time expressions with the prepositions: in, on and at. First, in two groups, students categorise time expressions according to the preposition they are used with: in, on or at. Students then add two more time expressions of their own to each preposition. Next, students complete sentences about themselves using the time expressions, e.g. 'I drink coffee at breakfast.' Students then pair up with someone from the other group and take turns reading their sentences to their partner. If their partner does the activity at the same time, they answer 'Me too', and the student ticks the sentence. If their partner does the activity at a different time, they answer 'I don't', and the sentence is not marked. Afterwards, students count the ticks to see which pair have the most in common. Finally, students report back to the class on which activities they and their partners do at the same time.
In this rewarding time expressions game, students match and complete sentences with time expressions. In pairs, students take it in turns to turn over one sentence card and one time expression card. If the time expression can be used to complete the sentence, the student reads the sentence aloud, replacing the missing word with the time expression on the card. The student then keeps the two cards and has another turn. The student with the most pairs of cards at the end of the game is the winner.
In this productive future time expressions speaking activity, students unscramble, ask and answer questions that contain time expressions about the future. Students begin by reordering words to make questions with future time expressions using the answers shown as a guide. After that, students write their own answers to the questions. In pairs, students then ask their partner the same questions and record their answers. Finally, students give feedback to the class.
In this fun past time expressions game, students race to make time-related sentences using the words last, yesterday and ago. Students take it in turns to pick up a word card (last, yesterday or ago) and place it on the table for everyone to see, e.g. yesterday. Each student then picks up the top sentence card from their pile and looks at it to see if their sentence and time can be used with the word. If it can, the student races to say the sentence on their card using the time with the word, e.g. 'Yesterday morning, I brushed my teeth'. The first student to make a complete past simple sentence, incorporating the past time expression wins and discards their card. The first player to get rid of all their cards is the winner.
This comprehensive present time expressions worksheet helps to teach students time expressions that are used with the present simple and present continuous. First, students match sentence halves together that contain present time expressions. Next, students categorise the time expressions in bold in the sentences, according to whether they are used with the present simple or the present continuous. After that, students complete grammar rules by writing either the present simple or the present continuous in each sentence. Students then move on to underline the correct verb tenses in a set of sentences. Afterwards, students do a gap-fill exercise where they complete sentences with present time expressions. Finally, students match questions with appropriate answers.
In this free time expressions speaking activity, students conduct a survey where they ask and answer questions that use past, present and future time expressions. Students begin by preparing the yes/no question they need to ask to find out the information on their card, e.g. 'Did you check your email this morning?' Students then go around their group, asking and answering the questions. Students keep a record of who answers 'yes' or 'no' on the back of the card. When the students have finished, they tally up the 'yes' answers and report their findings back to the class.
This useful past time expressions worksheet helps students practice different time expressions used to talk about the past. First, students unscramble words to form sentences about the past. Students then identify and underline the past time expression in each sentence. Next, students match the beginning of a past time expression with its correct group of possible endings. After that, students use past time expressions from a box to complete sentences. Students then move on to write two true sentences and one false sentence about their life using suitable past time expressions from the worksheet. Students then read these sentences to a partner, who guesses which statement is false. Finally, students correct mistakes in questions and then ask and answer the questions with their partner.
In this engaging present time expressions game, students mime sentences on cards for others to guess in order to practice time expressions in the present simple and present continuous. In groups, players take it in turns to pick up a card, read out the time expression at the top of the card and mime the sentence written at the bottom. The other players watch the mime and try to guess the sentence using the time expression with either the present simple or present continuous. The first player to say the correct sentence wins and keeps the card. The player with the most cards at the end of the game wins.
This free time expressions and time idioms worksheet helps to teach upper-intermediate students some common expressions and idioms that use the word time. Students start by matching sentence halves together that use expressions and idioms with the word time. Next, students match the time expressions and idioms to their definitions. Students then move on to complete gap-fill sentences with the time expressions and time idioms. After that, students complete sentences with true information about themselves. Finally, in pairs, students take it in turns to read their sentences to their partner and discuss them.
Here is a communicative time expressions board game to help students practice time expressions and time idioms. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their counters along the board. If a player lands on a 'Talk about' square, they talk about the time-related topic on the square for 20 seconds without stopping. If a player can't think of anything to say or stops talking before the 20 seconds are up, they go back two squares. If a player lands on an 'Answer a question' square, another student picks up a card and reads out the time question along with three possible answers. The player then chooses an answer. If it's correct, the player stays on the square. If not, they move their counter back two squares. The first player to reach the finish wins the game.
