English grammar
Past time expressions: on, ago, last
Say when something happened.
From the scene Last week
In short
Say on + day, a time + ago at the end, and last week or last month with no the.
Your turn
Which one goes with two days before today?
Options: on Monday (not "in Monday") · three days ago (not "before three days") · the day before yesterday
Show answer
two days before today → the day before yesterday
How it works
On + day (on Monday, not "in Monday").
Good to know
Number + time + ago, with ago at the end (three days ago, not "before three days" or "since three days"); last + week / month with no "the" (last week — "the last week" means the past seven days).
a day on Monday (not "in Monday")
Nuria
Terrible. It started badly on Monday.
Fatal. El lunes empezó mal.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Terrible. It started badly (blank).
Options: three days ago · on Monday · the day before yesterday
Show answer
Nuria
Terrible. It started badly on Monday.
Fatal. El lunes empezó mal.
two days before today the day before yesterday
Nuria
The day before yesterday, I ate alone again.
Anteayer comí sola otra vez.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), I ate alone again.
Options: The day before yesterday · On Monday · Three days ago
Show answer
Nuria
The day before yesterday, I ate alone again.
Anteayer comí sola otra vez.
back from now three days ago (not "before three days")
Nuria
Yes. And three days ago, the boss stole my idea.
Sí. Y hace tres días, la jefa robó mi idea.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes. And (blank), the boss stole my idea.
Options: on Monday · the day before yesterday · three days ago
Show answer
Nuria
Yes. And three days ago, the boss stole my idea.
Sí. Y hace tres días, la jefa robó mi idea.
the week before this one last week (not "the last week")
Elena
Again? Like last week?
¿Otra vez? ¿Como la semana pasada?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Again? Like (blank)?
Options: the day before yesterday · last week · on Monday
Show answer
Elena
Again? Like last week?
¿Otra vez? ¿Como la semana pasada?
the month before this one last month
Nuria
Yes. And like last month. Always the same!
Sí. Y como el mes pasado. ¡Siempre igual!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Yes. And like (blank). Always the same!
Options: the day before yesterday · last month · on Monday
Show answer
Nuria
Yes. And like last month. Always the same!
Sí. Y como el mes pasado. ¡Siempre igual!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a day | on Monday (not "in Monday") |
|---|---|
| two days before today | the day before yesterday |
| back from now | three days ago (not "before three days") |
| the week before this one | last week (not "the last week") |
| the month before this one | last month |
More lines from the story
- NuriaSomething good... a month ago. My holidays!Algo bueno... hace un mes. ¡Mis vacaciones!