Time Adverbs 始终, 渐渐, 即将, 尽快 and 早晚
Describe something that stays the same all along with 始终, a slow change with 渐渐, and what is coming with 即将, 尽快 and 早晚.
Pattern
subject + 始终 / 渐渐 / 即将 / 尽快 / 早晚 + verb
始终 looks back over a whole process, 渐渐 shows slow change, and 即将, 尽快 and 早晚 look ahead.
他始终没告诉我真正的原因。
When to use Time Adverbs 始终, 渐渐, 即将, 尽快 and 早晚
Both go right before the verb or adjective. 始终 means “from start to finish, all along”: it sums up a whole period and says nothing changed, and it often comes before a negative: 他始终没说话 “he never said a word”. 渐渐 means “gradually”: the situation changes little by little, so it usually comes with a change, often marked by 了: 天渐渐黑了. You may also write 渐渐地.
这些年她始终支持我。
All these years she has supported me.
天渐渐黑了。
It’s slowly getting dark.
来中国半年后，我渐渐习惯了这里的生活。
After half a year in China, I gradually got used to life here.
列车即将到达北京站。
The train will soon arrive at Beijing Station.
Common traps
- Say 一直往前走, not 始终往前走: only 一直 can mean “straight ahead”.
- Say 请尽快回复, not 请回复尽快: 尽快 goes before the verb, unlike “reply as soon as possible” in English.
- Put the negative after 始终: 他始终没来, not 他没始终来.
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