English grammar
Story time markers: back then, after a year, two days later, the next morning, from then on
Move a story forward in time with narrative time markers.
From the scene A year later
In short
Move a story on with after a year, two days later, the next morning, from then on. Ago counts back from now.
Your turn
Which one goes with moving on: after + time?
Options: but after a year, she went back to Colombia · back then / in those days · two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him
Show answer
moving on: after + time → but after a year, she went back to Colombia
How it works
Set the scene with back then or in those days. Move forward with after + time (after a year) or time + later (two days later), and the next morning.
Good to know
Later counts forward from a moment in the story; ago only counts back from now.
Good to know
From then on works inside a past story; since then usually takes a perfect tense (I haven't seen her since then).
Good to know
In a year's time looks ahead from now.
setting the scene back then / in those days
moving on: after + time but after a year, she went back to Colombia
Elena
Best friends. But after a year, she went back to Colombia.
Íntimas. Pero al cabo de un año, ella volvió a Colombia.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Best friends. (blank).
Options: But after a year, she went back to Colombia · In those days · Two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him
Show answer
Elena
Best friends. But after a year, she went back to Colombia.
Íntimas. Pero al cabo de un año, ella volvió a Colombia.
moving on: time + later two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him
Elena
Two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him.
A los dos días, Manolo me pidió que me casara con él.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank).
Options: But after a year, she went back to Colombia · Two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him · In those days
Show answer
Elena
Two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him.
A los dos días, Manolo me pidió que me casara con él.
the morning after the next morning I went to the office
Elena
And the next morning I went to the office wearing a ring.
Y a la mañana siguiente fui a la oficina con anillo.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And (blank) wearing a ring.
Options: but after a year, she went back to Colombia · the next morning I went to the office · in those days
Show answer
Elena
And the next morning I went to the office wearing a ring.
Y a la mañana siguiente fui a la oficina con anillo.
from that point, in a past story from then on, never
Elena
From then on, never. Not until Medellín, sixty years later.
Desde entonces, nunca. Hasta Medellín, sesenta años después.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank). Not until Medellín, sixty years later.
Options: From then on, never · In those days · But after a year
Show answer
Elena
From then on, never. Not until Medellín, sixty years later.
Desde entonces, nunca. Hasta Medellín, sesenta años después.
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
| setting the scene | back then / in those days |
|---|---|
| moving on: after + time | but after a year, she went back to Colombia |
| moving on: time + later | two days later, Manolo asked me to marry him |
| the morning after | the next morning I went to the office |
| from that point, in a past story | from then on, never |
More lines from the story
- ElenaAnd at the next desk Rosario did her typing.Y en la mesa de al lado escribía a máquina Rosario.
- NuriaAnd what did you do?¿Y usted qué hizo?