Talking About Time
Look at this simple pattern for talking about which day something happened or will happen:
Today —> Tomorrow —> The day after tomorrow
1. “I’ve been looking forward to today for a long time, it’s my birthday”
2. “I’m sorry, you can’t see Dr. Kikuchi today because she’s in surgery. Would you like to see her tomorrow?”
3. “It’s a public holiday tomorrow so please come back the day after tomorrow to collect receive your test results.”
Today <— Yesterday <— The day before yesterday
1. “I think I left my cell phone here when I can yesterday.”
2. “My left eye has been very painful since the day before yesterday.”
3. “The day before yesterday was Monday.”
You can use this pattern for weeks, months, years and even centuries.(100 years)
This week —> Next week —> The week after next
This week <— Last week <— The week before last
1. “We’re so busy this week because two members of staff are not here.”
2. “Take two of these pills every day for seven days. Come back and see me again sometime next week if you still feel sick.”
3. “I had a slight fever last week, but I’m fine now”
This month —> Next month —> The month after next
This month <— Last month <— The month before last
1. “I passed my driving test last month, but I’m still nervous about driving by myself.”
2. “The month after next should be exciting, I’m going to France on a medical exchange program.”
3. “We’ve seen three serious cases of Covid-19 at our hospital this month.”
This year —> Next year —> The year after next
This year <— Last year <— The year before last
1. “I’m working in the oncology department this year. Next year I’ll be working in the renal department.”
2. “The year after next my daughter will finish high school.”
3. “I’ve been working here since the year before last. Before that I was at nursing college.”
This century —> Next century —> The century after next
This century <— Last century <— The century before last
1. “The Covid-19 pandemic is the biggest event this century.”
2. “It’s hard to imagine what life will be like in the next century. Maybe people will be living on Mars.”
3. “Last century there were two world wars.”
We can also use the pattern without saying exactly when something happened or will happen.
This time —> Next time —> The time after next
This time <— Last time <— The time before last
1. “Next time you have a pain in your chest, go to see a doctor quickly.”
2. “This is the same medicine I gave you last time.”
3. “The pain was worse than this last time, but at least this time is better than the time before last.”