Temporal Words and Phrases Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: W.3.3.C

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

There are many different reasons that we move back and forward in time when writing. When we make these transitions in time we use what are called temporary words to express those transitions. Temporal words help the story move fluidly. The reader is given a relative understanding of when and where something takes place. They also help writers clarify actions and emphasis the importance of various events. The series of worksheets you will find on this page will help students understand the correct usage of these words and phrases.

Temporal Words Worksheets:

Growing Transitions – No pun intended, but help plant the right words into the passage.

Hilda's Transitional Exercise – Which transition words will really help seal this up?

The Magic Show – Create your own magic show with words.

The Birthday Party – Write a story about a birthday party you attended. It could even be yours.

A Pirate's Tale – Use the words (after, as a result, before, finally, first, and then).

Alien Transitions – Write a paragraph using the transition words to follow a logical sequence of events.

Fishing with Transitional Words – Circle the correct transitional word that completes the sentences in the story.

A Shopping Trip – Write a paragraph using transitional words about a shopping trip.

Special Day Transitional Words – Choose the transitional words from the word bank to complete the story.

Perry the Penguin – Pretend you are Perry the Penguin and tell about a trip you went on to anywhere in the world.

Competing for Transitions – Circle the picture that you choose to write about a competition.

School Day – Use the transitional words to write a paragraph about a typically day at school.

A Rainy Day Transitional Words – Cut and paste the raindrops containing temporal words in the correct order to complete the story.

Transitional Pets – Circle the picture of the animal that you want to write a paragraph about.

Transitional Model Car Race – Cut and paste the checkered flags containing transitional words to correctly complete the paragraph.

What are Temporal Words and Phrases?


It's very important for each paragraph and statement in your writings to have every possible angle covered about the subject. Otherwise, the entire piece loses its aura because readers are unable to comprehend it well. It's impossible to not use a single temporal word or phrase in writings. These words are responsible for making statements strong enough so that readers can make a better sense out of them. There are basically four types of temporal expressions which you must know.


Date


There's always a mention of calendar time. The writer states a specific date to tell the audience when exactly something happened. Below are a few examples of this type:

- My sister was born on the 23rd of November 1998.
- She will be visiting us on 7th of July.
- We might go on a short trip in December.
- I have an important meeting next Thursday.
- My father moved to America in 1990.


Time


You can identify this type by the clear mention of the time of the day. The list of examples below will further clear it out for you.

- She has her flight at 8.p.m tonight.
- The party ended late last night
- Visit my office within 15 minutes.
- I will stay in office from nine till one.


Duration


Such temporal phrases and words tell how long something lasted. For example:

- It rained for two hours straight.
- We were stuck in a traffic jam for two hours.
- She stayed at her uncle's house for three days.
- Your lecture will last an hour.


Set


You will see a set of time or dates in these temporal expressions. Have a look at the examples below for clarity.

- It's better if you exercise three times a week.
- I visit my friend every two days.


Now, take a moment and imagine a few of the sentences without temporal words and phrases. Absence of these words makes the entire writing seem incomplete. Therefore, never miss a chance to use temporal words where needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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