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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