An example of a temporal expression is "8:10 p.m.".
Temporal expressions are phrases or words that refer to time. According to the provided reference, they can encompass various forms, such as specific calendar dates, particular times of day, or even durations spanning different periods like hours, days, or centuries.
Understanding Temporal Expressions
Temporal expressions serve to anchor events or states in time, providing crucial context. The reference highlights that these expressions can vary in their level of precision:
- Precise Temporal Expressions: These refer to exact points or periods in time.
- Example from reference (1): "The train arrived at 8:10 p.m." Here, "8:10 p.m." is a precise time of day.
- Ambiguous Temporal Expressions: These refer to durations or points in time less exactly, often using approximations.
- Example from reference (2): "He was stuck on that island for almost a year." In this case, "almost a year" indicates a duration but is not a precise measurement.
Types of Temporal Expressions
Based on the definition provided, temporal expressions can include:
- Calendar Dates: e.g., "January 1st, 2024", "next Monday"
- Times of Day: e.g., "noon", "midnight", "3 o'clock", "8:10 p.m."
- Durations: e.g., "three hours", "several days", "for almost a year", "two centuries"
Both specific times like "8:10 p.m." and less precise durations like "almost a year" function as temporal expressions because they provide information about when something occurred or for how long it lasted.
