Time clauses Time linkers
Time clauses
To say when something happens.
Time clauses can refer to the past, present, or future.
The verb in the time clause can be in a present or a past tense.
I look after the children while she goes to London. I haven’t given him a thing to eat since he arrived.
Never use a future tense in a time clause.
I will do it when I will finish. WRONG
Use one of the present tenses instead.
I will do it when I have finished. RIGHT
Present tenses:
As soon as I hear any news, I’ll let you know. John will arrive while we are watching the film. Let me know as soon as you’ve finished.
Time clauses Perfect tenses to emphasize completion (present perfect and past perfect) Let me know as soon as you’ve finished. As soon as he had arrived, we started the meeting.
Sequence of events (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). Events happening at the same time.
Time clauses are introduced by
time linkers.
Two events happen at the same time
AS WHEN WHILE
We arrived as they were leaving. He was having his dinner when the telephone rang. We had coffee while we were waiting.
One event happens before or after AFTER AS SOON AS BEFORE WHEN
I will get dressed after I have/have had a shower. As soon as we get tickets, we’ll send them to you. Can I see you before you go, Helen? When he had finished reading, he looked up.
Situation which started in the past and continued until a later time He hadn’t cried since he was a boy of ten.
SINCE EVER SINCE + past simple
I’d wanted to come ever since I was a child. I’ve been in politics since I was at university. Ever since you arrived you’ve been causing trouble.
Situation ends
TILL UNTIL + present/past tense
We’ll support them till they find work. I stayed there talking to them until I saw Sam. She waited until he had gone.
Something happens before or at a particular time By the time we arrived, the party had finished.
BY THE TIME
By the time I went to bed, I was exhausted. It will be midnight by the time we finish /have finished.
Participle/noun/gerund
Subject of the main clause and the time clause are the same.
The car was stolen while parked in a London street.
Time word + noun.
Several people were arrested following the riots.
Preposition + gerund.
After recovering from car sickness, you will feel better.
Rule of the sequence of tenses
Main clause Present Future Imperative
Time clause Present simple Present perfect
Main clause Past simple Past perfect
Time clause Past simple Past perfect
Underline the correct tense
Underline the correct tense
Underline the correct word
Underline the correct word
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense
Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.
Complete each sentence with two to five words, including the word in bold.