Time Clauses (when, after, before)

1 Time conjunction + Clause + Main clause
2 OR: Main clause + Time conjunction + Clause
3 Example: "When I finish my homework, I will go out"
4 The time conjunction connects two related events

1 The time conjunction establishes the temporal relationship
2 The time clause shows when the action occurs
3 The main clause shows the main action
4 Both parts are necessary for a complete time clause sentence

1 Used for specific times or moments
2 Shows simultaneous actions or sequential events
3 Can be used for past, present, or future events
4 Example: "When I arrived, she was cooking" (simultaneous)
5 Example: "When I finish, I will call you" (future)

1 When I wake up, I drink coffee
2 When she called, I was studying
3 When the bell rings, we will leave
4 When I was young, I played soccer
5 When you finish your work, you can go home

1 Used for events that happen later in sequence
2 Shows that one action follows another
3 Indicates the second event in a sequence
4 Example: "After I finish my work, I will go home"
5 The action in the main clause happens after the time clause

1 After I finish my homework, I will watch TV
2 After she arrived, we started the meeting
3 After the rain stops, we will go outside
4 After I graduate, I will find a job
5 After they ate dinner, they watched a movie

1 Used for events that happen earlier in sequence
2 Shows that one action precedes another
3 Indicates the first event in a sequence
4 Example: "Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth"
5 The action in the main clause happens before the time clause

1 Before I go to work, I have breakfast
2 Before she left, she said goodbye
3 Before the movie starts, we will get snacks
4 Before I move to Paris, I will learn French
5 Before they arrived, we prepared dinner

1 When I finish my work, I go home (habitual action)
2 After I eat dinner, I watch TV (routine)
3 Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth (daily habit)

1 When I arrived, she was cooking (past event)
2 After I finished my homework, I went to bed (completed action)
3 Before I moved to Paris, I studied French (earlier event)

1 When I finish my work, I will go home (future plan)
2 After I graduate, I will find a job (future goal)
3 Before I leave tomorrow, I will call you (future intention)

1 ___ I finish my homework, I will go out. → After
2 ___ I wake up, I drink coffee. → When
3 ___ I go to work, I have breakfast. → Before
4 ___ she called, I was studying. → When
5 ___ the meeting ends, we will have lunch. → After
6 ___ I leave tomorrow, I will call you. → Before

1. Use "when" for simultaneous or specific timing
2. Use "after" for subsequent events
3. Use "before" for preceding events

1 Finish homework → Go out → After I finish my homework, I will go out
2 Wake up → Drink coffee → When I wake up, I drink coffee
3 Go to work → Have breakfast → Before I go to work, I have breakfast
4 Arrive home → Cook dinner → When I arrive home, I cook dinner
5 Leave tomorrow → Call you → Before I leave tomorrow, I will call you

All sentences correctly formed using appropriate time conjunctions.

1 "When I finish my work, I will go home" → "When" shows specific timing
2 "After I eat dinner, I watch TV" → "After" shows subsequent action
3 "Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth" → "Before" shows preceding action
4 "When she called, I was studying" → "When" shows simultaneous action
5 "After the movie ends, we will go home" → "After" shows what happens later

1 ❌ "When I will finish my work, I will go home" → ✅ "When I finish my work, I will go home" (Don't use "will" in time clauses)
2 ❌ "After I will finish, I will go" → ✅ "After I finish, I will go" (Time clauses use present for future)
3 ❌ "Before I will leave, I will call" → ✅ "Before I leave, I will call" (Same rule applies)
4 ❌ "When I finished, I will go" → ✅ "When I finished, I went" (Match tenses properly)

1 ❌ "When I finish my work, I went home" → ✅ "When I finish my work, I will go home" (Future main clause)
2 ❌ "After I will eat, I will sleep" → ✅ "After I eat, I will sleep" (Present in time clause for future)
3 ❌ "Before I will leave, I call you" → ✅ "Before I leave, I will call you" (Proper tense matching)

A: What do you do every morning?
B: When I wake up, I drink coffee. After I finish my coffee, I take a shower. Before I go to work, I have breakfast.
A: What about your evening routine?
B: When I arrive home, I cook dinner. After I finish eating, I watch TV. Before I go to bed, I brush my teeth.
A: And tomorrow?
B: When I finish my work tomorrow, I will go shopping. After I shop, I will come home.

• 1 Pay attention to the correct time conjunctions
• 2 Use present tense in time clauses for future events
• 3 Practice with a partner if possible
• 4 Focus on natural rhythm and intonation

Which time conjunction should be used for simultaneous events?:
A) After
B) Before
C) When
Answer: C) When

What is the correct form for future time clauses?:
A) When I will finish, I will go
B) When I finish, I will go
C) When I finished, I will go
Answer: B) When I finish, I will go

Which sentence uses "before" correctly?:
A) Before I go to work, I have breakfast
B) Before I go to work, I will have breakfast
C) Before I will go to work, I have breakfast
Answer: A) Before I go to work, I have breakfast

• When: for simultaneous or specific timing
• After: for subsequent events
• Before: for preceding events
• Use present tense in time clauses for future events

• Don't use "will" in time clauses
• Match tenses properly between clauses
• Time clauses establish temporal relationships
• Use present tense for future reference in time clauses