Time Words: suddenly, finally, during, since

Read common time words quickly and use them to follow the order of events.

Many high-frequency words tell you WHEN something happens: suddenly, finally, during, since, early, ago, until, and meanwhile. Reading them instantly helps you follow a story's order. 'Suddenly' warns you that something surprising is about to happen. 'Finally' tells you something happened at the end, often after a wait.

'During' means while something else was going on, and 'since' can mean from that time until now. Watch them work: 'Since breakfast, Mia had been building a fort. During lunch, it rained. Suddenly, the roof sagged. Finally, she found a stick to hold it up. ' Each time word acts like a signpost that points you through the events.

• 1Time words tell when events happen.
• 2Suddenly signals surprise; finally signals an ending.
• 3These words are signposts for the order of events.