At basic level, students know the frequency adverbs — always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never (covered in lesson #22). But native speakers also use many fixed expressions for time and frequency. 'Every now and then' (sometimes — from time to time). 'Once in a while' (occasionally — same as every now and then). 'Sooner or later' (eventually — at some point in the future). 'In the meantime' (during this time — until something else happens). 'From time to time' (similar to every now and then). 'Right now' (at this moment). 'At the moment' (currently). 'In no time' (very soon, very quickly). These expressions appear constantly in conversation, films, and informal writing. Students who know only the basic frequency adverbs miss the natural chunks. This lesson covers the most useful time and frequency expressions at B1 level.
Before you start — think honestly about your own teaching and experience.
Look at the examples. Answer each question before reading the explanation — this is how your students will learn too.
every now and then (= sometimes — not often, not regularly)
I visit my old school every now and then.
once in a while (= occasionally — same as every now and then)
We go to the cinema once in a while.
from time to time (= occasionally — slightly more formal)
I hear from my old friends from time to time.
at times (= sometimes — slightly formal)
At times, I miss my hometown very much.
What do these four expressions have in common? Why do students need so many?
All four expressions mean roughly 'occasionally' or 'sometimes' but at slightly different registers. 'Every now and then' is the most common in casual conversation. 'Once in a while' is also casual and very common. 'From time to time' is slightly more formal — used in writing and formal speech. 'At times' is similar to from time to time but slightly different in pattern (usually at the start of a sentence). All four are useful because they add variety to writing and speech. A student who uses only 'sometimes' for every occasional event sounds repetitive. Native speakers move between these expressions naturally. The teaching point: these are all roughly synonymous, but learning all four gives students variety and a more natural register.
sooner or later (= eventually — at some point in the future)
Sooner or later, the truth always comes out.
in no time (= very soon, very quickly)
The project will be finished in no time.
right away / at once (= immediately)
I will help you right away.
before long (= soon, in a short time)
We will be home before long.
any day now (= very soon — used when waiting)
The baby is due any day now.
What is the small difference between these future expressions?
Each expression covers a slightly different time frame in the future. 'Sooner or later' is vague — eventually, at some unspecified point. 'In no time' is fast — very soon, very quickly. 'Right away' or 'at once' is immediate — without delay. 'Before long' is fairly soon — in a short time but not immediately. 'Any day now' is used when waiting for something specific (a baby, a phone call, a delivery) — meaning it could happen any day. Choosing the right expression matches the speaker's sense of when something will happen. 'I will help you right away' (immediate). 'I will help you before long' (a little wait). 'Sooner or later you will help me' (eventually, no rush). The differences are useful when students want precision about future time.
right now (= at this exact moment)
I am working right now — call me later.
at the moment (= currently, right now — slightly more formal)
At the moment, I am studying for my exam.
in the meantime (= during this time — between now and another event)
The doctor will see you soon. In the meantime, please wait here.
for the time being (= for now — temporarily)
For the time being, we will use the old computer.
Why do students need expressions about now and the meantime?
'Right now' and 'at the moment' both mean 'at this present time' — they are very close. 'Right now' is more casual; 'at the moment' is slightly more formal. Both work in everyday speech. 'In the meantime' covers a different idea — the time between now and a future event. 'The doctor is coming. In the meantime, please wait here.' (= between now and when the doctor arrives, please wait.) 'For the time being' is similar — for now, temporarily. 'For the time being, we will use the old computer (until we buy a new one).' These expressions let students talk about the period between now and a future event — useful for plans, waiting, and temporary arrangements. Without them, students often use longer phrases like 'until something else happens' or 'for the moment'.
| Expression | Meaning | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| every now and then | Sometimes — not regularly | Casual | I visit my parents every now and then. |
| once in a while | Occasionally — same as every now and then | Casual | We go out for dinner once in a while. |
| from time to time | Occasionally — slightly more formal | Neutral to formal | I hear from her from time to time. |
| at times | Sometimes — slightly formal | Neutral to formal | At times, the work is very stressful. |
| sooner or later | Eventually — at some future point | Casual to neutral | Sooner or later, you will need to make a decision. |
| in no time | Very soon, very quickly | Neutral | The bus will arrive in no time. |
| right away | Immediately | Neutral | I will call you right away. |
| before long | Soon, in a short time | Neutral | You will hear from us before long. |
| any day now | Very soon (used when waiting for something) | Neutral | The decision should come any day now. |
| right now | At this exact moment | Casual | I am cooking right now. |
| at the moment | Currently — slightly more formal than 'right now' | Neutral | At the moment, I am working from home. |
| in the meantime | During this time — between now and another event | Neutral | The doctor will see you soon. In the meantime, please wait. |
NOTE 1 — Variety adds natural feel: Students who use only 'sometimes', 'soon', and 'now' sound repetitive. Mixing in 'every now and then', 'in no time', 'at the moment' adds natural variety. Native speakers move between these expressions constantly.
NOTE 2 — Match register to context: Some expressions are casual (every now and then, once in a while, right now). Others are slightly more formal (from time to time, at the moment, in the meantime). For formal writing, prefer the more formal options. For casual conversation, the casual ones fit.
NOTE 3 — Fixed chunks: These expressions cannot be changed. 'Every now AND then' (with 'and'). 'Once in A while' (with 'a'). 'In NO time' (with 'no'). 'In THE meantime' (with 'the'). The exact wording is fixed. Students must learn each as a fixed chunk.
NOTE 4 — Position in the sentence: Most time and frequency expressions can go at the start, middle, or end of a sentence. 'Every now and then I visit her.' 'I visit her every now and then.' 'I, every now and then, visit her' (less common). The start and end positions are most natural. The end position is the most casual.
NOTE 5 — Stacking is fine for emphasis: Some expressions can be stacked for emphasis. 'Sooner or later, eventually, you will need to deal with this.' But this is unusual — for most situations, one expression is enough. Over-stacking sounds wrong.
Time and frequency expressions add the kind of natural fluency that distinguishes B1+ students from beginners. The basic adverbs (always, sometimes, never) are essential, but the fixed expressions in this lesson are what native speakers actually use most of the time in casual conversation. Students who master 8 to 10 of these expressions sound noticeably more fluent. Cultural context: time-frequency expressions vary slightly between British and American English, but most are used in both. The lesson connects to the frequency adverbs lesson (#22) — together they give students a complete vocabulary for talking about time and how often things happen.
Use real life schedules to teach time expressions. Ask students about routines, plans, waiting times. 'How often do you visit your grandmother?' (every now and then). 'When will the bus arrive?' (in no time / before long / any day now — depending on the situation). 'What are you doing?' (right now / at the moment). Real-life context fixes the expressions in memory.
Choose the best time or frequency expression for each context.
Each sentence has a problem with a time or frequency expression. Suggest a better version and explain.
Use this sequence directly in class — guided discovery, no textbook needed. Tap each step to mark it done.
STEP 1 — Beyond basic adverbs (5 min): Write 'sometimes', 'soon', 'now' on the board. Ask students to use each in three different sentences. Show that this becomes repetitive. Establish that English has many fixed expressions for time and frequency that add variety.
STEP 2 — Occasional event expressions (6 min): Drill the 'occasional' set: every now and then, once in a while, from time to time, at times. All mean roughly 'sometimes' but at different registers. Practise five examples each. Help students see they are interchangeable in most contexts.
STEP 3 — Future time expressions (7 min): Drill the future set: sooner or later (eventually), in no time (very soon), right away (immediately), before long (soon), any day now (very soon for waiting). Match each to a context — vague future, very fast, immediate, soon. Practise five examples.
STEP 4 — Right now and the meantime (5 min): Drill 'at the moment' (currently), 'right now' (this exact moment), 'in the meantime' (during this time, between now and a future event), 'for the time being' (for now, temporarily). Each fits a slightly different time situation.
STEP 5 — Tell us about your routines (7 min): Each student answers questions about their life using a range of time and frequency expressions. How often do you visit family? When will you finish your project? What are you doing right now? What will happen sooner or later? Share in pairs. Partner checks for variety and natural use.
Use directly in class — copy, adapt, or read aloud. No printing needed.
For each strategy, choose the option that best describes where you are now.
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