Time Adverbs 按时, 即将, 渐渐, and 尽快 in Chinese
按时/即将/渐渐/尽快
These preverbal adverbs locate or shape an event in time: 按时 means on schedule, 即将 marks an imminent event, 渐渐 presents gradual change, and 尽快 requests the earliest practical completion. Each adverb scopes over the following predicate and cannot be inserted inside a verb-object compound or a noun phrase.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject + Time Adverb + Predicate
Read the structure
These preverbal adverbs locate or shape an event in time: 按时 means on schedule, 即将 marks an imminent event, 渐渐 presents gradual change, and 尽快 requests the earliest practical completion. Each adverb scopes over the following predicate and cannot be inserted inside a verb-object compound or a noun phrase. Keep the model Subject + Time Adverb + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
请按时交作业。
Please submit the homework on time.
Choose the right context
Use 按时 before an action performed according to schedule. Use 即将 before a predicate describing an imminent event. Use 渐渐 for gradual change and 尽快 for prompt completion.
列车即将到站。
The train is about to arrive at the station.
Respect the boundary
Do not place these adverbs after the completed verb-object predicate. Do not attach perfective 了 directly to an adverb. Do not use 即将 for an event already completed.
请交按时作业。
(Please submit the homework on time.)
Repair the pattern
Time adverb splits a verb-object predicate: 按时 modifies the whole predicate 交作业 and must precede it rather than split verb 交 from object 作业. Perfective marker attaches to an imminence adverb: 即将 is an adverb and cannot take perfective 了 before the still-unrealized action.
请按时交作业。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
请按时交作业。
Please submit the homework on time.
请
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
按时
Time Adverb
This part occupies the Time Adverb position in the model pattern.
交
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
作业
Subject
This part occupies the Subject position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
请按时交作业。
Please submit the homework on time.
列车即将到站。
The train is about to arrive at the station.
天气渐渐暖和了。
The weather gradually became warmer.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 按时 before an action performed according to schedule.
- Use 即将 before a predicate describing an imminent event.
- Use 渐渐 for gradual change and 尽快 for prompt completion.
Do not use it when
- Do not place these adverbs after the completed verb-object predicate.
- Do not attach perfective 了 directly to an adverb.
- Do not use 即将 for an event already completed.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
请交按时作业。
请按时交作业。
Time adverb splits a verb-object predicate
按时 modifies the whole predicate 交作业 and must precede it rather than split verb 交 from object 作业.
列车即将了到站。
列车即将到站。
Perfective marker attaches to an imminence adverb
即将 is an adverb and cannot take perfective 了 before the still-unrealized action.
请交按时作业。
按时 modifies the whole predicate 交作业 and must precede it rather than split verb 交 from object 作业.
列车即将了到站。
即将 is an adverb and cannot take perfective 了 before the still-unrealized action.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 按时/即将/渐渐/尽快.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 按时/即将/渐渐/尽快. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Time Adverbs 按时, 即将, 渐渐, and 尽快 Questions
Can 即将 combine with 了?
Sentence-final 了 may mark an approaching change, but 了 cannot attach inside 即将 + predicate.
How do 渐渐 and 尽快 differ?
渐渐 describes gradual development; 尽快 urges the earliest feasible completion.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 4 item 【四07】 (PDF p. 212)
Provides official Level 4 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 15, Adverbs
Supports the pre-predicate position and scope of time adverbs; GF item 【四07】 supplies these particular temporal meanings.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
马上/先/有时/正在Basic Time and Progress Adverbs
Distinguish the time limit trend of 按时即将渐渐尽快 and the basic time relationship of 马上先有时正在 to clarify the focus of the speech.
Compare
历来Longstanding Regularity with 历来
Compare the future or change process of 即将渐渐 with the long-term historical continuation of 历来 to avoid confusing the direction of time.
Compare
偶尔Low Frequency with 偶尔
Distinguish the time-limited trend of 按时即将渐渐尽快 from the low-frequency occurrence of 偶尔 to avoid mistaking the frequency for the time process.
Continue learning
随着Correlated Change with 随着
Compare 渐渐 for one developing change with 随着 for one change accompanying another change.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
Distinguish the time limit trend of 按时即将渐渐尽快 and the basic time relationship of 马上先有时正在 to clarify the focus of the speech.