Using time markers

✔ We use firstly / secondly / thirdly / finally, etc. to put a series of events in order:

There are three things you need to do. Firstly, you need to do X. Secondly, you need to do Y. Finally, you need to do Z.

✔ We can use first (or first of all) instead of firstly:

First (of all), you need to do X.

✔ We use at first to describe what was true at the beginning, before it changed later:

At first, there were only a few people. But more and more people arrived during the day.

✔ We can use first between the subject and verb to describe the beginning of a process or the first time something happened:

I first met her when we were students, but we’ve met many times since then.

✔ We use at the end to describe the last part of an event:

At the end (of the party), everyone went home.

✔ We use in the end to describe the final (and perhaps unexpected) results:

We were really worried about his illness, but in the end he made a full recovery.

✔ After while, we need a clause (subject + verb):

While we were at the meeting, I checked my emails.

✔ It’s also possible to have an -ing clause after while:

While waiting, I checked my emails (= While I was waiting...).

✔ After during, we need a noun phrase:

During the meeting, I checked my emails.

✔ We usually use meanwhile to connect two separate sentences:

He gave a really boring presentation at the meeting. Meanwhile, I checked my emails

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