Place and Time Expressions
When a sentence has both a place and a time expression, the usual order is place before time.
Subject + Verb (+ Object) + Place + Time
- She goes to work every morning. — not She goes every morning to work.
- We travelled to Spain in July.
Time at the Beginning
The time expression can also go at the beginning of the sentence for emphasis.
- Every morning she goes to work.
- At midnight they arrived at the airport.
Never Split the Verb and Object
Never put a time or place expression between the verb and its object.
- I meet my friends on Fridays. — not I meet on Fridays my friends.
- We eat lunch at noon. — not We eat at noon lunch.
Quick Reference
- Place before time
They play in the park on Sundays. - Time can start the sentence
On Sundays they play in the park.
