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Movie watchersAfter / Before

Adverbs used in mixed time frames

 

 

 

These adverbs function as subordinating conjunctions by joining a dependent clause to an independent clause.  The adverbial clause (adverb + dependent clause) indicates when the action in the main clause occurs.

 

Present & Future Tense Time Frames
MAIN CLAUSE ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

Use future tense to introduce a planned event or future activity.

Use an adverb clause to introduce a second event and relate the timing of it: earlier, later, or same time. Use present tense in the adverb clause.

FUTURE TENSE

We will watch a movie

PRESENT TENSE

after you arrive.   (later than the your arrival time.)

We will make popcorn

before you arrive.     (earlier than your arrival time.)

We will be making popcorn

while you are driving here.   (in the same time – duration – as your trip.)

 

as you are driving here.

We will sit down

when you arrive  (at the same time – short duration – as your arrival. )

We can/ will sit here

as long as we want  (for all the time we want.)

We will  go out to dinner

as soon as the movie ends  (a new activity starts exactly after the first one ends.)

 

when the movie ends.

 

once the movie ends

We won't start the movie  (negative)

until you arrive  (not before your arrival time.)

We will have made the popcorn    (future perfect)

by the time you arrive  (in the time before your arrival.)
 

PRESENT TENSE

We watch a movie

PRESENT TENSE

whenever we get together.  (at the same-time, a frequent habit)

 

anytime we get together.
 

 

Dog coming in door

 

 

 

 

 

When Has Two Meanings!
ONE TIME FRAME TWO TIME FRAMES

SAME TIME

IMMEDIATELY AFTER

The dog comes when I call.

I will close the door when the dog comes in.

 

 

 

Common Mistakes
ERROR FIX

I'll make some popcorn. After we'll eat it

I'll make some popcorn. Afterward, we'll eat it.
I'll make some popcorn. After that, we'll eat it.
After I make popcorn, we'll eat it.

I'll call you before I will get there.

I'll call you before I get there.  Use present tense in the adverb clause.

I'll lock the door before I leave.

I'll lock the door after I leave. After introduces the 2nd event. 
 

 

 

 

Adverbs in Mixed Time Frames

Past Tense

 

Past Tense Time Frames
MAIN CLAUSE ADVERBIAL CLAUSE

Use future tense to introduce a planned event or future activity.

Use an adverb clause to introduce a second event and relate the timing of it: earlier, later, or same time. Use present tense in the adverb clause.

PAST TENSE

We watched a movie

PAST TENSE

after you arrived.   (later than the your arrival time.)

We made popcorn

before you arrived.     (earlier than your arrival time.)

We were making popcorn

while you were driving here.    (in the same time – duration – as your trip.)

 

as you were driving here.

We sat down

when you arrived  (at the same time – short duration – as your arrival. )

We sat there

as long as we wanted  (for all the time we want.)

We went out to dinner

as soon as the movie ended  (a new activity starts exactly after the first one ends.)

 

when the movie ended.

 

once the movie ended

We didn't start the movie  (negative)

until you arrived  (not before your arrival time.)

We had made the popcorn   

by the time you arrived (in the time before your arrival.)
 
 

PRESENT TENSE

We watched a movie

PRESENT TENSE

whenever we got together.  (at the same time, a frequent past habit. )

anytime we got together.

 

 

 

 

 

Commas

Clause Order

 

 

Adverb Clause Position
INITIAL POSITION FINAL POSITION

Use a comma after the adverb clause when occurs first.

 Use no comma when the adverb clause occurs after the main clause.

USE A COMMA

As soon as you get here, we'll leave.

USE NO COMMA

We'll leave as soon as you get here.

Before I drink coffee, my head hurts.

My head hurts before I drink coffee.

After I drink coffee, my headache stops.

My headache stops after I drink coffee.

When you give me the keys, I'll start driving.

I'll start driving when you give me the keys.

 

 

 

 

Practice

Adverb and Tense Agreement

 

 

  1. Choose the correct form of the verb.
  2. Then, check your answer. * indicates an incorrect answer.
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