One should therefore not rely on special ones. While some certain phrases and expressions refer to the future, none of them are unique. Info: The future times are somewhat limited in English when it comes to signal words. “We had already left when the band started to play.” (We were already gone when the band started playing.) Just, never, how long, for, since, already, etc. You have to be careful with these, however, as they can also apply to the present perfect. The past perfect also has some of these words. Yesterday, last year, two hours ago, last weekend, in 2007, etc.

With the simple past, you can also rely very well on signal words, which would be: “Steffi hasn’t seen her best friend for two years.” (Steffi hasn’t seen her best friend in two years.) Since, for (since), recently since 7 o’clock, for five years, etc. Sign language is a natural, full-fledged language in visual-spatial modality. With these signal words it can often be in the simple or in the ing-form (progressive): “I’m living at Kent’s house at the moment.” (I’m living with Kent right now.)Īnother tense that has well-functioning signal words is the present perfect. The present continuous offers the following:Ĭurrently, now, at the moment, this week, next month, etc.

Regularly, usually, every year, every day, normally (usually), often, rarely, etc. There are these very typical ones for the present simple, which express regularity: In the English language, the following are the most important signal words for grammatical tenses: The advantage for language learners, and here in particular for English learners, is obvious – if you want to form a sentence with one of these signal indications, you can usually rely on the associated time ( tense) and conjugate the predicate (verb) accordingly.Īttention! However, it should not be forgotten that signal words are very often valid, depending on the type, but never in all cases. Such terms can be single words, typical word combinations, or word groups (in most cases as adverbials), or even entire sentences. In language learning, signal words are generally understood to be information that indicates the use of certain tenses.

Signal language